Oedipus Rex and the Micro Tragedy

I have just finished reading Oedipus Rex, the classic Hellenic tragedy in which Oedipus discovers that he has killed his father and committed incest with his mother, which has made me think about the nature and appeal of tragedy.

The details of his suffering and his reaction, carry the audience along on waves of emotion. What is this power that tragedy holds? Why is it so appealing? Why do we lap up such tales of woe?

For me the website www.fmylife.com is comprised of a series of micro tragedies, each terrible little tale a bite sized bit of misery. I find them addictive, their theatricality, pithiness, and celebration of failure really interests me.

I like that Oedipus Rex is a towering piece of work that has lasted a couple of thousand years and that FML is so transitory, forgettable and mundane. Just every day people trying to elevate their lives into the sphere of tragedy.

An added bonus with FML is that you get to vote on the stories thus decerning Tragedy from Stupidity.