Pride and Determination in Oedipus RexA man has many defining characteristics - some positive and some negative. Sometimes a potentially positive characteristic can cause one's downfall. This concept can be directly linked to the story of Oedipus Rex. Aristotle said: “The tragic hero falls into misfortune because of a character defect similar to that found in men of great reputation and good fortune like Oedipus. » Essentially, he tells us that Oedipus has a flaw that, under normal circumstances, would be a beneficial characteristic, but which, in his case, causes his demise. The defining characteristics of pride and determination can be attributed to Oedipus' downfall. Oedipus' personality clearly reflects pride and determination throughout the play. When Oedipus heard the oracles' prediction that he should kill his father and marry his mother, he was determined to prevent the prophecy. This is why he left Corinth, his homeland, never to return there. Then, when he solved the riddle of the Sphinx, Oedipus' pride reached a new level. He was praised by the inhabitants of Thebes, which led to his marriage to Jocasta, queen of Thebes. Oedipus also shows his determination when he searches for Laius's killer. He declared that he would avenge the king's death as if Laius were his own father. He cursed the murderer, announcing: “May he bring misery to an evil death in life.” » These characteristics of pride and determination, which emanate from Oedipus throughout the play, can appear as positive attributes of a person's personality. However, Oedipus's actions, based on these characteristics, are what ultimately led to his downfall and suffrage. If Oedipus had not been so determined to escape and prevent the prophecy, he would not have fulfilled it. Perhaps he was doomed to fulfill the prophecy because he believed he could avoid it. Nonetheless, his fate was sealed by his acts of pride and determination. His pride in having conquered the Sphinx led him to the marriage of Jocasta, his mother. In avenging the death of Jocasta's previous husband and her real father, King Laius, he was blinded by his pride to the idea that he may have been the murderer. Not knowing the truth, he cursed himself with a “death in misery.” Of course, at this time, Oedipus had not realized his links with Jocasta and Laius, but the recognition of the truth would lead him to his eventual suffrage..