Oedipus The King, the famous Greek play produced by Sophocles in Athens in 430 BC, is possibly the most famous tragedy ever written. In order to be truly classified as a `tragedy' there are several important requirements, (according to theorists of tragedy, like Aristotle) which must be present in the play. This discussion will briefly examine some of the principle elements found in Oedipus The King to conclude that the drama is justifiably a tragedy.

One of the most important requirements of a tragedy is characterization, especially the development of the tragic hero, in this case, Oedipus Rex. Included in this idea of the tragic hero, is the issue of the fatal flaw, that is, the character's fault or mistake in his otherwise admirable make-up. Oedipus is a very honest, intelligent and wise man and is an energetic leader. The fatal flaw in the character of Oedipus involves his...