In Aristotle's Poetics the tragic hero is defined as of noble stature, possessing virtue. Thus, Oedipus as the hero of the tragedy "Oedipus Rex" is of this admirable character. In his love for the people of Thebes, he seeks to end the plague that torments them. As a wise ruler, Oedipus also is cognizant of the fact that he must seek solutions from every possible source. And, as a tragic hero, he possesses the excessive pride (hubris) that does not entertain any suspicion that harm may come to him in his sending Creon to Delphi in the first scene of the play. At this point, of course, the dramatic irony which moves the tragedy begins.
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