Jocasta Character Analysis

Jocasta As A Modern Hero In the Sophocles play Oedipus Rex, or Oedipus the King, one assumes the main character is Oedipus. However, this tragic king is not the most important character in the play. Jocasta, his wife and mother, is the most significant person throughout the series of the tragedy. Without her, many of the major events would not have occurred. Some may call her the hero. What kind of hero is Jocasta? Out of an epic hero, a tragic hero, or a modern hero, she is most connected to a modern hero. Jocasta expresses many important characteristics of a modern hero and deserves more of the spotlight. Her character is the most significant to the play and she shows many characteristics of being the modern hero. Jocasta’s son, Oedipus, was sent to a mountain to die because of a horrible prophecy. The Oracle stated that he will one day murder his father and marry his mother. Immediately, Jocasta and her husband, King Laius of Thebes, cut his ankles and ordered a shepherd to leave him on the mountain in order to escape his fate. By doing this, Jocasta expresses

Some might say that Jocasta expresses weakness when she learns the truth about her life. “In Sophocles ' play, Jocasta hangs herself when she realizes Oedipus is on the verge of discovering his true identity” (Thorborn), Thorborn describes. Many claim that Oedipus is the most important character in the play. However, without Jocasta, many of the major events that take place would not have occurred. Although she expresses many characteristics of a modern hero, Jocasta brings about her own downfall. The majority indicate Jocasta is not fit to be a modern hero, but she portrays very few qualities of a tragic hero. Even the strongest heroes have weaknesses. No human being is perfect and no one can withstand too much pressure. In this case, along with many others, the seemingly trivial character is truly the most significant to the whole of the