What factors are responsible for the tragedy of Oedipus the King ?

By
definition, ais a play in which a hero experiences a tragic fall from a high position, typically
as the result of a flaw within himself. The hero starts out as basically a good character and
usually holds a position of power (like King, as in  the King). As a result
of his tragic flaw, this hero falls from power and often, though not always, dies at the end of
the play. Oedipus does not die, but he ends up blind and banished. There are two major factors
in Oedipus's downfall. 

First, Oedipus sometimes exhibits qualities of pride
or arrogance. This prevents him from learning the truth about his background and parentage
earlier in the play. It is important to remember, though, that at the start of the play, Oedipus
is seen as basically a good king. He cares about his people's concerns and takes steps to
resolve the plague that is wreaking such havoc on his city. Later, though, whensuggests that
Oedipus may be to blame for the plague, Oedipus lashes out and the reader/audience can see his
arrogance. Oedipus also demonstrates excessive pride in his conversations with his
brother-in-law , whom he accuses of plotting against him with Tiresias. Oedipus's stubborn
arrogance creates much of the dramaticof the play, as well, because he insists that he could not
have been involved in the murder of Laius (which has caused the plague) without knowing that he
did, in fact, murder the former king who was also his biological father. 

A
second factor in Oedipus's downfall, and thus in the tragedy, is fate. In the play, variousvisit
the Oracle at Delphi for guidance. The first instance occurs before the play starts. Oedipus's
parents ( and Laius) learned that they would have a son who would murder his father and marry
his mother. In an attempt to cheat fate, Jocasta orders a servant to tie the baby's feet
together and leave  him on a mountain. What she doesn't know, though, is that the servant cannot
bring himself to do this and instead gives the baby to another man, who brings him to the King
and Queen of Corinth, where it is presumed he will be safe. Oedipus is raised as the Corinthian
royalty's son, but as he grows up, he starts to hear rumors about his background. He visits the
oracle and learns he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Thinking the King and
Queen of Corinth are his parents, he flees. Along the way, he meets a caravan that includes the
King of Thebes, Laius (his biological father) and slays the travelers because he feels they have
run him off the road. Oedipus proceeds on to Thebes, where he solves the riddle of the Sphinx
and becomes King of Thebes. There, he marries the recently-widowed queen, Jocasta (his
biological mother). All of these events show that Oedipus's fate could not be avoided. This
furthers the tragedy of the play because Oedipus's fall seems to be out of his own
control.