In Sophocles' work Oedipus the King, Oedipus definitely fits Aristotle's meaning of a tragic hero who is a man of honorable importance. He is not an ordinary man, but a man of exceptional superiority and immensity. A ruined man turns to a greater cause or principle. Oedipus conveys many errors. In the play Oedipus the King, things really shifted from good to evil. Using Aristotle's meaning, it will be proven that Oedipus is one of the prime examples of a tragic hero. Nobility, tragic flaws, and hardship are all characteristics that Aristotle described as what a tragic hero truly is. These are also four characteristics that Oedipus proves his well-being as a catastrophic hero. Oedipus' nobility and strength are responsible for his early strategy for success as a tragic hero. The nature of Oedipus' noble position as the son of a king earns him the reverence not only of the people of Thebes, but also of the public. The audience must respect a tragic hero as someone superior and more in control beneath himself. In line 13 of the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus says: “Tell me, and never doubt me, I will help you in any way I can.” By saying this, he means that whatever the cost, he is ready to sacrifice everything for his people, the inhabitants of Thebes. Royal courage was something he possessed and he held it high above his head, so high above his head that he made a sacrifice to flee his own city. Oedipus exiled himself from the city to die of the plague, so that the citizens of Thebes could do no more harm. He had taken matters into his own hands. Oedipus felt that he was a problem and that things would only get better if he was the one to leave. By accomplishing this great action, Oedipus shows that he is far from being selfish and closer to a leader. His... middle of paper ......g something bad that he was told he would do and ended up doing it. Tragedy does not always mean death. It's just something good gone bad. Oedipus is perfect for this statement. He is a hero because he saves his hometown from the sphinx and becomes king. He is tragic because he unintentionally kills his father and marries (and has children) his mother. Oedipus realizes that if he had not managed to avoid the oracle to save himself. At some point, tragic heroes realize their flaws and learn to deal with the situation as Oedipus did. Oedipus was unhappy because he was a good person, with bad habits and accustomed to making bad decisions. The tragic hero of a tragedy is a necessary element in stoking public shame and fear in order to complete the emotional purge. Sophocles' character Oedipus the King is a proven explanation of a tragic hero..