Pride and Determination in Oedipus Rex A man has many distinctive characteristics, some positive and some negative. Sometimes, a potentially positive characteristic can cause its eventual downfall. This concept can be directly related to the story of Oedipus Rex. Aristotle stated that “the tragic hero falls into misfortune because of some flaw in his character, of the kind found in men of high reputation and good fortune such as Oedipus.” In essence, he is telling us that Oedipus has a flaw that, under normal circumstances, would be a beneficial characteristic, but which in his case causes his death. The defining characteristics of pride and determination can be attributed to Oedipus' fall. Oedipus' personality clearly reflects pride and determination throughout the play. When Oedipus heard the oracles' prediction that he would kill his father and marry his mother, he was determined to prevent the prophecy. So he left his homeland of Corinth, never to return. Then, when he solved the riddle of the Sphinx, Oedipus' pride rose to a new level. He was praised by the people of Thebes, and this led to his marriage to Jocasta, queen of Thebes. Oedipus also shows his determination when he searches for Laius' murderer. He declared that he would avenge the king's death as if Laius were his father. He cursed the murderer, announcing: "May he drag into misery an evil death in life." These characteristics of pride and determination, which Oedipus exudes throughout the play, may seem like positive attributes of one's personality. However, Oedipus' actions, based on these characteristics, are what led to his downfall and eventual suffrage. If Oedipus had not been so determined to escape and prevent the prophecy, he would not have fulfilled it. Perhaps he was condemned to fulfill the prophecy because he believed he could avoid it. However, his fate was sealed by his actions of pride and determination. His pride in conquering the Sphinx led 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 concept that perhaps he was the murderer. Not knowing the truth, he cursed himself with a “death in life of misery.” Of course at that time Oedipus did not realize his ties to Jocasta and Laius, but the recognition of the truth would lead to his final suffrage..