1. Sophocles

2. (a variation on the tragic hero):

3. Great Strength  Usually Kings and Nobles or the sons and daughters of these hierarchy positions  Special strengths  Hubris  Intelligence  Bravery  He must perform extraordinary feats  His is a noble character which is close to perfectly ideal but for a fatal flaw.  The suffering of the character is physical  Death must occur in an unusual way  The hero fights for his own honor; his deeds belong to the community only after his death

4.  “He that is born to be hanged shall never be drowned ” –French Proverb

5.  “Now, why is it today, when no man alive believes in Apollo or worries about the Delphic oracles, lovers of literature still find themselves involved in Oedipus’ problems and his personality? Obviously, Sophocles deals here with a universal situation that transcends the interests and circumstances of 5 th Century B.C. Athens. Oedipus is a symbolic figure for all mankind.” –Walter James Miller  Is it possible for a twentieth century reader to identify with Oedipus’ plight? What philosophic issues does he confront?

6.  “After the game is before the game.” –S. Herberger  “We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” –T.S. Eliot “Little Gidding”