The play Oedipus the king by Sophocles is often considered the finest play of the classical era. When Aristotle created the criteria for the tragic hero he used Oedipus as his example. In the play, Oedipus is king of the city of Thebes. He accomplishes many feats and is admired by all, but his life falls apart when he learns of his true past. He is out to find the murder of King Laius and eventually he discovers that he had unknowingly killed King Laius, his father, and married the queen, his mother. Reading Oedipus the King leads one to conclude that Oedipus fits all criteria of the tragic hero as presented by Aristotle.

Oedipus first shows himself to be a tragic hero through his birth and position in society. He displays both power and stature as King of Thebes. Aristotle says that the tragic hero must occupy...