Aristotle's definition of tragedy entails the protagonist, usually of high ranking in society, losing his power and happiness. Tragedy in this play occurs when the protagonist, Oedipus, falls from his pedestal into murder and incest, because of the inevitable fate the gods have cursed upon him from birth. Oedipus not only possesses a tragic fate but also has a tragic flaw, pride. This tragic flaw eventually makes the impact of him falling from his throne to the hands of fate much more profound. Oedipus held himself in very high regard. We see his pride shown through out the story but specifically when he was speaking to Teiresias; "When the hellcat the Sp