Western Governors University (WGU) HUMN1010 C100 Introduction to Humanities Practice Exam

The story that embodies the tragic theme of pride leading to a downfall is Oedipus Rex. This ancient Greek tragedy, written by Sophocles, revolves around Oedipus, the King of Thebes, who is renowned for his intelligence and determination to uncover the truth. However, his pride and hubris ultimately lead him down a path of tragic self-discovery, revealing that he has unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

Oedipus’s pride prevents him from heeding warnings and recognizing the limitations of human understanding in the face of fate. His relentless pursuit of truth, driven by arrogance, sets off a chain of events that culminate in his own ruin. When he finally learns the horrific truth about his actions, the weight of his pride leads to his tragic downfall, signifying the potent combination of human ambition and the inexorable forces of destiny.

By contrast, while other stories like Hamlet, The Iliad, and The Odyssey may involve elements of pride and personal flaws, they do not center on a singular downfall driven by pride to the same extent as Oedipus Rex. Each work addresses themes of fate, struggle, and heroism, but Oedipus's