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 followers a chain of events often initiated by a case-by-case source or event. This fall is often embodied by the heros tragic mistake and his futile try 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 disgrace considered worsened than destruction in ancient Greece.
In the dialogue among Oedipus and the guard, Oedipuss inquisition for the truth overcomes the Shepherds sage 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 avoidance of the Oedipuss questioning exhibits the Shepherds strong rationality during this scene. He hesitates in revealing the truth to prudently protect 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 if I do talk (line 1184).



The Shepherds fear 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 further! (line 1190). The Shepherds futile resistance displays his determination to protect the kingdom and himself, and only when threatened with death did the Shepherd succumb to cowardly behavior and reveal the reality of Oedipuss fate.
Oedipuss desire to continuously inquire despite the warnings of the Shepherd reveals his tragic flaw and further strengthens the foreshadowing of...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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