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What in your opinion is oedipus hamartia and what its relevance to the play Oedipus Rex?

Hamartia is a tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy. In the case of Oedipus, his hamartia is his hubris, or excessive pride and self-confidence, which leads him to challenge the gods and ignore their warnings. Oedipus believes that he is invincible and can escape his fate, but he is proven wrong when the truth about his past is revealed.

Oedipus' hubris is evident in several key moments in the play. For example, when he is first told by the oracle at Delphi that he will kill his father and marry his mother, he dismisses the prophecy as nonsense and continues on his journey to Thebes. Later, when the plague strikes Thebes and Oedipus begins to investigate the cause, he refuses to believe that he could be the source of the problem. He becomes increasingly angry and frustrated as the truth becomes clearer, but he still refuses to accept it.

Oedipus' hamartia is significant because it ultimately leads to his downfall. His pride and self-confidence blind him to the truth about himself and his past, and he brings about his own destruction as a result. The play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris and the importance of humility.

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