The greatest heroes and leaders of all time deny their greatness. They remain altruistic because true heroes don't label themselves as such. The one who takes exception to the title discovers that his arrogance sets him on the path to losing the respect of the people who gave him the title in the first place. In the tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus must learn this the hard way. His core being is built on compassion and an overwhelming desire to help people. However, at some point, Oedipus finds himself caught up in himself rather than being a selfless man who is solely invested in the people of Thebes. Oedipus' tragic downfall begins when his compassion and heroism allow him to become arrogant to the point of being punished by the gods themselves. Before his life falls apart, Oedipus shows his compassionate roots through his heroic and selfless behaviors in the early stages of his life. . His decency and selflessness as a person are introduced when Oedipus proves himself to be a hero by saving the city of Thebes from the Sphinx and is praised by the words of the people. They recognize his heroic co...