Analysis of the Shepherd’s Role in Tragedy

The Aristotelian definition of a tragedy depicts the fall of a noble hero to the lowest point of humanity pursuit a chain of events often initiated by a individual source or event. This fall is often embodied by the heros tragic mistake and his futile test on to overcome the limits of his fate. In the case of Oedipus Rex, the sheepman functions as the character that initiates the tragic downfall of Oedipus from his kingship to his inevitable exile, a destroy considered worsened than destruction in ancient Greece. In the dialogue among Oedipus and the guard, Oedipuss inquisition for the truth overcomes the Shepherds discerning acts. Initially a humble King of Thebes, Oedipus becomes agitated in realizing his futile attempts to avoid his tragic fate. Oedipus eagerness for discovering the truth or so his origin disdain the negative outcomes embodies the noble, yet tragic flaw of any good king. The Shepherds escape of the Oedipuss questioning exhibits the Shepherds st rong tenability during this scene. He hesitates in revealing the truth to prudently defend himself and Oedipus from repercussions of populace. The Shepherd insists that the revelation of the truth will result in destruction, I will be destroyed even more than if I do talk (line 1184).

The Shepherds idolize in this line embodies his rationality and foreshadows the inevitability of tragedy in this scene. The Shepherd continually stalls during his dialogue with Oedipus, but Oedipuss overbearingness overpowers his shield, and thus the Shepherd resorts to pleading to the King, By the gods, master, do non inquire fu rther! (line 1190). The Shepherds futile co! nfrontation displays his determination to protect the kingdom and himself, and only when threatened with decease did the Shepherd succumb to cowardly behavior and reveal the naive realism of Oedipuss fate. Oedipuss desire to continuously inquire contempt the warnings of the Shepherd reveals his tragic flaw and further strengthens the foreshadowing of...If you demand to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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