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Examples Of Catharsis In Oedipus The King

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In his many theories of literature, Greek philosopher Aristotle frequently referenced the principle of catharsis, the purgation of excessive emotions into an intermediate state. Additionally, the formidable playwright metaphorically compared this component’s impact on the soul to medicine on the human body. Consequently, throughout time, people regarded tragedies, including Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, as a mechanism to achieve this psychological disposition. Using Aristotelian theory, one can experience and understand the implementation of catharsis in Oedipus Rex through the elements of a tragic hero, peripeteia and anagnorisis, and the ultimate pathos. Contrary to a traditional protagonist, a tragic hero faces eventual downfall through unavoidable fate and his devastating hamartia. Utilizing Sophocles' Oedipus Rex as the ideal demonstration, Aristotelian theory outlines the elements of a tragedy. Therefore, Oedipus exhibits a fatal inadequacy in his overconfidence, specifically when he accidentally murders King Laius, his father, at the crossroads in an outburst of arrogance. Consequently, his insufficient knowledge and carelessness sanction the audience to gain wisdom through reflection of their own misunderstandings, therefore allowing for catharsis through …show more content…
Moreover, after ascertaining his birthright as the son of King Laius and his wife, Jocasta, he finally recognized the ghastly prophecy he diligently worked to prevent had come true, illustrated in his abrupt deterioration from an idolized king to a vulnerable pariah after blinding and banishing himself. Additionally, because anagnorisis and peripeteia occur concurrently, a forceful blow to Oedipus and the viewers is fabricated, generating catharsis because of the terror endured for the fate of the unfortunate

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