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Classical Reference Library

Greek Tragedy

Explore the plays, characters, ideas, and enduring questions of ancient Greek tragedy, from Sophocles and Aeschylus to the dramatic traditions they helped shape.

CRITICAL ESSAY

Fate, Freedom, and the Tragic Hero in Oedipus the King

What makes Oedipus a tragic hero? Ian Johnston examines the tension between fate and free will in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, arguing that the very qualities that make Oedipus great—his intelligence, courage, confidence, and relentless pursuit of truth—also lead him toward catastrophe.

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