What Was Oedipus Tragic Flaw?

The tragic flaw that led Oedipus to doom was his hubris, or excessive pride. This fatal flaw caused him to underestimate the power of the gods and their prophecies. Oedipus’ actions led to the death of his father, Laius, and his own marriage to his mother, Jocasta. The discovery of his true parentage and what he had done drove Oedipus to blind himself. In Sophocles’ play, Oedipus Rex , the chorus repeatedly warns Oedipus of his hubris before it leads the protagonist to doom. Oedipus’ tragic flaw—inexperience and hubris—is a common theme in Greek tragedies, such as Oedipus Rex. Characters with tragic flaws include Ajax, who is too proud to accept help from the gods, and Antigone, who is too stubborn to listen to her sister’s advice. The tragic flaw often leads to the downfall of the protagonist. In Oedipus Rex, the chorus warns Oedipus that his actions will lead to his downfall; however, he does not listen. The tragic flaw is a common theme in literature and can be found in many other works by authors such as Shakespeare and Julius Caesar.