The rules of Greek tragedy in Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles

Oedipus Tyrannus {the King} does observe the rules of Greek tragedies as stated by Aristotle.1

Rule one: the play must have catharsis. Catharsis is a spiritual purge that is attained when the audience feels pity & terror from what they see on stage, Oedipus follows this very well. 2

Oedipus:3

You pray. Now in answer to your prayers, if you are willing4

To hear and accept my word and attend to this sickness,5

You will find protection from your afflictions.6

Oedipus:7

As soon as you can, in the name of the gods take me8

And hide me away somewhere, or kill me, or cast me out.9

The above two inserts from the play shows the two most extreme pulling of the audience’s emotions. The former making you think how lucky he is, but that there must be something wrong, as nothings as perfect as his life seemed could be that simple. The latter Quote eliciting horrified pity. Horror at what Oedipus had done {not only to his mother and father, but that he’d gorged his own eyes out} and pity for the fate he had blindly walked into causing not only himself but them around him severe pain.10

Rule two states that the hero must be in high social position and possess a fatal flaw that brings disaster. In Oedipus, Oedipus is the King. He was made so when he came upon the city of Thebes in a time when a sphinx had the city in her control & Oedipus solved her riddle. Oedipus then thinks he’s real smart and for awhile it stays like that with Oedipus helping the Thebans with everyday problems.11

Oedipus:12

I must mate with my mother, and show to all the world13

A progeny it could not bear to see;14

I would also murder the father who gave me birth.15

Quoted above is a repeat of the prophecy told to Oedipus which had in fear made him flee his home, for he loved his father and did not wish dead and also dreaded the thought of his mother’s bed. Unfortunately and unknowingly, by travelling to Thebes he would fulfil this disturbing foretelling and much worse.16

Tying in with the prior rule number three pronounces, there must be a change of fortune evolving a reversal of luck or a discovery. 17

Chorus:18

He knew the famous riddle, and was a most powerful man.19

Which of our citizens did not look enviously upon his fortunes?20

But see now what a wave of disaster has overtaken him.21

The Chorus’ final word sums up in a few simple lines what happened to Oedipus. He was wealthy as any man could wish, happy with four children & a beautiful wife. Then in his persistence he discovered that he unwittingly lived in a most unholy relationship and in fleeing the home he had known all his life in horror of the prophecy told him, he had completed all the Oracle had said he would. 22

The final stipulation is that the play must conform to the three unities; action, time & place.23

Action: a series of closely related events is observed, in that everything happens in quick succession & is resolved in the last scene. 24

The play does take place in the twenty-four hour bracket allowed by Aristotle, leading from the start of his search to the discovery, Jocasta’s death & the retribution of Oedipus when he scratches out his eyes & says he must be exiled.25

Aristotle says the play must take place in only one locale. Although important events take place else where, the day the play is actually set all events take place out side the house of Cadmus {Oedipus’ house}.26

As stated above Oedipus Tyrannus {the King} follows most clearly the Aristotelian rule for Greek tragedy.27