Jocasta as a Victim of Oedipus the King Sophocles' play Oedipus the King has often been described as the story of a "tragic hero". This story is truly tragic; however, Oedipus is not the only character affected by the tragedy. Equally affected could be the character of Jocasta. She, as well as Oedipus, suffers many tragedies throughout the story. Moving the story to a different perspective can most likely improve the way we see it. The point is not to denounce Oedipus's role as a tragic hero, but to denounce his role as the only tragic character. First, defining the term “tragic hero” would be helpful in determining Jocasta's status. Tragedy is “a drama depicting an important event that generally has a fatal outcome; a fatal and painful event; a murderous or bloody act" ("Tragedy"). The definition of a hero is "the person who plays the principal part in some undertaking" ("Hero"). The Stanley Garden Tragic Hero Internet page defines the tragic hero as follows : “In a tragic play, the tragic hero usually does a frightening action that ultimately destroys him. The main character of a tragic play does a good deed that in turn makes him a hero. The hero achieves his pinnacle and finally a frightening act he had committed before, ultimately destroys this man once called a hero.” Using these definitions we will see if we can prove that Jocasta is a tragic hero. Oedipus' mother and wife, Jocasta , went through her share of trials. When she was the wife of Oedipus' father, King Laius, Jocasta conceived a child whom she was forced to give up to death. After receiving a prophecy that her son would kill him and take the throne, King Laius convinces Jocasta that their son represents a great threat. He then commands the child to be... the center of the card... his fateful decision. It seems that Jocasta suffers many tragedies, perhaps more than Oedipus himself. Using our definition of a tragic hero, Jocasta's appalling act is to give up her son to death. This turns out to be her undoing and destroys her. However, he does not meet the criteria of a tragic hero. Jocasta did not do a good deed by turning her into a hero. She goes through many tragedies, but this only classifies her as a victim of tragedy. Although Oedipus is still the "tragic hero", he is no longer the main victim of the play. New Webster Dictionary. 1998 ed. Florida: Paradise Press, Inc. 1998."Tragic Hero." Ed. Stanley Garden. February 7, 2001. "Hero." New Webster Dictionary. 1998 ed. Florida: Paradise Press, 1998.