Aristotle considered Oedipus Rex to be a great play and a perfect tragedy because it contains all of the elements necessary for a tragic story. It has a protagonist, Oedipus, who is of noble birth and high status, but whose tragic flaw leads him to make mistakes that ultimately lead to his downfall. The plot contains elements of surprise and reversal as Oedipus learns the truth about his identity and past actions. Additionally, the play elicits feelings of pity and fear in the audience as they watch the protagonist suffer from their own mistakes. Lastly, the story provides a catharsis for those watching by showing them how tragedy can arise from even noble intentions.