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Yes and no. According to the original meaning of the word, Theban King Oedipus was a tyrant. Originally, a tyrant seized power illegally. That's what Oedipus did by killing his father and his sovereign, Theban King Laius. He didn't know whom he was killing when he responded with violence to violent behavior by a stranger who was old enough to be his father and whom he resembled. But the fact remained that he committed murder and didn't go through the necessary cleansing of required purification ceremonies. So his rise to power was illegal in Thebes.

But according to the modern definition, Oedipus may not have been a tyrant. He didn't appear to be viewed as arbitrary, cruel or selfish by his subjects. Instead, he appeared to have gained the love and respect of the Theban people. In the play, for example, his fellow Thebans referred to his bravery against the frightening Sphinx whom he alone outwitted and defeated.

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Q: Was Oedipus a tyrannical leader
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Is Oedipus a tyrannical ruler in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Oedipus is a tyrannical ruler in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a ruler is tyrannical if he seizes power illegally in ancient Greece. That description fits Theban King Oedipus. He ends up as King of Thebes because the job is open and because he marries Thebes' widowed queen. But King Laius dies because he is killed, and that killer turns out to be Oedipus. Oedipus therefore ascends the throne by illegal means.


How does the chorus leader respond to Oedipus' despair in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That it is better for him not to be born is the way in which the chorus leader responds to Oedipus' despair in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the leader of the chorus of Theban elders is there for the king. But things may change when gods become angry and kings fall. The leader observes that he wishes that he never had known Oedipus and that Oedipus never had been born.


Who is the senator in Oedipus Rex?

the Chorus leader


Who is the first senator in Oedipus Rex?

the Chorus leader


Whom does the chorus leader claim can settle the dispute between Oedipus and Creon in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is Jocasta that the chorus leader claims can settle the dispute between Oedipus and Creon in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Creon cannot stop the argument that his brother-in-law Theban King Oedipus starts. The chorus leader cannot stop it either. But he is confident that Queen Jocasta, Creon's sister and Oedipus' conciliatory wife, can end it all.

Related questions

How can you use tyrannical in a sentence?

The ruler's laws were harsh and tyrannical. He was a tyrannical leader.


Is Oedipus a tyrannical ruler in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Oedipus is a tyrannical ruler in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a ruler is tyrannical if he seizes power illegally in ancient Greece. That description fits Theban King Oedipus. He ends up as King of Thebes because the job is open and because he marries Thebes' widowed queen. But King Laius dies because he is killed, and that killer turns out to be Oedipus. Oedipus therefore ascends the throne by illegal means.


What is despotic leader?

An authoritarian, autocratic,dictatorial, or tyrannical leader.


How does the chorus leader respond to Oedipus' despair in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That it is better for him not to be born is the way in which the chorus leader responds to Oedipus' despair in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the leader of the chorus of Theban elders is there for the king. But things may change when gods become angry and kings fall. The leader observes that he wishes that he never had known Oedipus and that Oedipus never had been born.


Who is the senator in Oedipus Rex?

the Chorus leader


Who is the first senator in Oedipus Rex?

the Chorus leader


Whom does the chorus leader claim can settle the dispute between Oedipus and Creon in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is Jocasta that the chorus leader claims can settle the dispute between Oedipus and Creon in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Creon cannot stop the argument that his brother-in-law Theban King Oedipus starts. The chorus leader cannot stop it either. But he is confident that Queen Jocasta, Creon's sister and Oedipus' conciliatory wife, can end it all.


Who were the Mayans against in the world war?

New Zimbabwe and it's tyrannical leader Reltih


Who do you think is the better leader Oedipus or Creon?

I personally think that Oedipus is a better leader because he was willing to exile himself to protect Thebes from the plague. Also, in Oedipus Rex, Creon discusses with Oedipus that he does not want to be king because he didn't want that responsibility; as long as Oedipus was king, he had all the privileges of royalty without having to worry about the politics of it.


What advice by the chorus leader already is put into effect by Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Send for Teiresias is what the chorus leader advises and what Oedipus already puts into effect in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus asks for help in finding the guilty in King Laius'murder. The chorus leader mentions that Teiresias the blind prophet has a mind for detail and a talent for analysis. Oedipus speaks of already sending messengers twice to request Teiresias' presence at the palace.


How do you summarize the conversation between Oedipus and the chorus leader in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That it is better for him not to have been born and known by anyone and if he lived to die rather than be blind is a way of summarizing the conversation between Oedipus the chorus leader in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus leader meets disgraced Theban King Oedipus stumbling outside the palace. He says that he wishes that Oedipus never had been born or that he had died as his parents planned. He states that Oedipus never should have chosen blind exile over immediate death.


Who is the leader in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Oedipus is the leader in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus is the king of Thebes. He rules in a joint power sharing arrangement. He shares royal powers with his wife Queen Jocasta and his brother-in-law Creon even though he is considered the lead ruler.