Content Warning for discussions of dark themes.
Being a superhero might sound like a dream come true but when one takes a closer look at the lives of their favorite heroes, they realize it's not all roses and sunshine. In fact, a lot of superheroes lead rather sad lives. Oliver Queen is a good example of that. Throughout his journey in the Arrowverse, the Green Arrow experienced a lot of joy... but also faced multiple tragedies.
Most of them were connected to his superhero activity but one could argue that Oliver didn't deserve all this just because he wanted to make his city a better place. When the fans consider his life, it's not hard to feel sorry for the masked superhero.
Seeing His Mother's Murder
Moira Queen's death was a tragic one. Moira wasn't always honest with her children but she loved them more than anything. So when Slade Wilson abducted Moira, Oliver, and Thea, Moira offered her life for her children's lives.
Wilson acknowledged her bravery before he drove his sword through her chest. Meanwhile, Thea and Oliver witnessed the scene without being able to do anything.
Losing His Best Friend
Before Oliver and John Diggle became close friends, Oliver had his best friend in Tommy. They grew up together and spent a lot of time side by side. When Oliver came back to Star City after five years, Tommy was quick to welcome him back.
The discovery that Oliver was the Green Arrow drove a wedge between them but they reconciled in the end. Unfortunately, Tommy sacrificed his life to save Laurel in the first season's finale and when Oliver watched him die, he was devastated.
And Losing Multiple Other People
Tommy isn't the only person close to Oliver that he lost. Oliver had the bad luck of having multiple people he loved die. This happened to Laurel Lance when Damien Darhk stabbed her in the fourth season. Laurel subsequently died in the hospital.
Oliver also lost his good friend and former girlfriend Sara Lance and Laurel's and Sara's father Quentin, his friend, and mentor. Some of these people later came back to life but the feeling of loss was still present.
His Dad Dies Before His Eyes
Having a parent die is hard. Twice more so if it happens right in front of one's eyes. And even more when the parent dies for the child.
When Oliver and his father Robert shipwrecked, Robert sacrificed himself to give Oliver a chance to survive since they didn't have enough food or water. A truly horrific moment for Oliver.
Having To Choose Between William And Felicity
When Oliver finds out he has a son, he wants to get to know William. However, William's mom Samantha states it clearly - Oliver has to keep the truth about William a secret, or she won't allow Oliver to see William.
That means Oliver has to choose between seeing his son or keeping the truth from Felicity. Oliver chooses his son which, ultimately, drives a wedge between him and Felicity and leads to their break-up.
Leaving His Family And Friends Behind Because Of The League
Oliver was forced to join the League of Assassins in the third season. If he didn't comply, Ra's al Ghul would destroy his city and kill the people he loved.
Since his friends and family couldn't stay with him in Nanda Parbat, the League's home, it meant that Oliver would be leaving them behind in Star City.
He Was Injured (And Almost Died) Multiple Times
Being a superhero isn't an easy line of work, especially if one has no special powers (such as the Flash's accelerated healing). Despite all his skills and talents, Oliver is just a human. That means he was much more prone to injury than other superheroes. His opponents have hurt him multiple times during the show's run and it almost sometimes killed him.
One notable example includes Oliver's combat with Ra's al Ghul which ended with the Demon Head stabbing Oliver's chest and then throwing his body down a rock. If it wasn't for his friends, Oliver would have died for certain back then.
Going To Prison
After his secret identity was no longer a secret, Oliver ended up in prison. Just like for another superhero who faced the same experience, Barry Allen, Oliver's stay in prison wasn't easy.
Not only did it separate him from his loved ones, but he was also in danger because many of the inmates who were in the same prison were put there because of the Green Arrow.
He Had To Leave His Family Behind
When Oliver made the deal with the Monitor to save Barry and Kara, he didn't know the Monitor would come for him at the least opportune moment. Oliver and Felicity were taking care of their baby daughter Mia but when the Monitor arrived for Oliver, there was no other choice
. Oliver had to leave even though it meant leaving his family behind. At least he got to spend some time with the adult Mia before he died. Speaking of which...
His Death
By far the saddest thing about Oliver is his death - especially considering he was still young and had a lot to live for. Oliver died twice during the Crisis but was originally resurrected to become the new Spectre.
When he sacrificed his life the second time to save everyone and defeat the Anti-Monitor, it was for good. At least he managed to bring back several previously dead people, such as Moira, Tommy, Quentin, or Emiko.