Hamlet And Oedipus The King - 1668 Words

A â€Å"tragic hero† can be defined as a courageous character who is destined for their own destruction. These characters usually seek out to do something for the greater good, but end up causing their own death. Sophocles’ â€Å"Oedipus the King† tells the life of a king named Oedipus who is trying to solve the murder case of the former king. A similar plotline is seen in Shakespeare’s â€Å"Hamlet†, where Hamlet tries to uncover who killed his father, who was also the king before his untimely death. Both characters set out to do something good, but create many problems and ultimately find themselves corrupted. Oedipus’ initial introduction presents the character as a well-rounded man who is simply trying to help his people and serve justice. In the†¦show more content†¦The two go back and forth for a while which ultimately ends in Oedipus sentencing Creon to death for essentially treason. At this point in the play, it is clear that Oedipus is making some rash decisions in order to clear his consciousness. It appears he still wants to do the right thing, but nothing goes his way. As the play progresses, a messenger is sent to tell Jocasta of Polybus’, Oedipus’ believed father, death. Oedipus is told of this and is relieved, as this is a sure sign that the prophesy will not be true. The messenger then tells Oedipus that his father really was not his father, and Oedipus questions the messenger on how he knows this. The messenger explains that Oedipus was â€Å"A gift he took you from these hands of mine† (Sophocles 1553). The messenger saved Oedipus by bringing him to Polybus instead of leaving him to die. Oedipus tells Jocasta of this new information and how he plans to find out more, and Jocasta pleads with him to leave it alone. Finally, the herdsman is brought in to answer Oedipus’ questions. The herdsman is hesitant at first, but eventually tells Oedipus the truth. He was the one who gave a baby to the messenger, the baby who was left to die by Laius and Jocasta. It is now clear to Oedipus that this horrid oracle is true, and it is his life. Oedipus sets off to kill Jocasta, but is shocked to find that she has committed suicide. All of this information plus his mother’s suicide has caused Oedipus so much mental distressShow MoreRelatedHamlet And Oedipus The King1544 Words   |  7 Pagesliterature, Hamlet and Oedipus the King. Oedipus the King was written by Sophocles and Hamlet was one of the famous dramas of Shakespeare. There were some similarities and several differences between the two tragedies. Although the plays were both set in different time periods, they had similar themes about fate and free will. Their plots were also analogous. However, the two main character had a major vital difference that Hamlet is a tragedy of inaction and Oedipus is a tragedy of action. Hamlet and OedipusRead MoreComparing Hamlet And Oedipus The King1263 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s Hamlet, and Sophocles, Oedipus the King, both of the main characters conform to the same classic tragic hero formula. Oedipus suffers a life based on a pre†birth prophecy, whereas Hamlet finds himself burdened with the task of avenging his father’s death. In both situations, two kings must leave their innocence behind as the truth leads them first, to enlightenment and then to their downfall. They battle between the light, the truth and the darkness, the lie. Both Hamlet and Oedipus are similarRead MoreComparison Between Hamlet And Oedipus The King1312 Words   |  6 PagesHead-On, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Sophocles’ Oedipus the King are all subject to confinement in both similar and dissimilar ways alike. All of these characters fall under the hand of family and cultural values, often having to suffer from the actions of family members and the expectations forced upon them by their people. Yet, these characters all endure other forms of confinement specific to their own situations; Sibel and Cahit are entrapped by love and marriage, Oedipus is restrained by his destinyRead MoreComparing Hamlet and Oedipus the King Essay example652 Words   |  3 Pages Images of disease dominate Shakespeares Hamlet as well as Sophocles play, Oedipus the King, Both Hamlet and Oedipus face many problems with death. Hamlet is seeking out the killer of his father as well as Oedipus. They feel that justice hasnt been served properly and they must seek out the killer of their fathers in order for justice to be served. In both Hamlet and Oedipus the King, there is mass turmoil amongst family relationships, the inner problems they face, and the lack of free willRead MoreSimilarities And Differences Between Oedipus The King And Hamlet887 Words   |  4 Pages What is the different between Oedipus the King and Hamlet. Oedipus the King was written by Sophocles in 430-425 BCE. Oedipus the King is about King Oedipus finding out his true origins and him fulfilling a prophecy. In order to save his Kingdom Oedipus has to find out who murdered the king before him. Looking for the murderer Oedipus begins to learn about his origins and true self. Hamlet on the other hand is about a Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, trying to avenge his fathers death. There are manyRead More William Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King1362 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though Shakespeares’ Hamlet and Sophocles’ Oedipus the King were written in two different eras, echoes of the latter can be found in the former. The common theme of Hamlet and Oedipus the King is regicide. Also, like in Oedipus the King, there is a direct relationship between the state of the state and the state of their kings. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between Oedipus’ armed entrance into the bedroom in whichRead More The Protagonist as Victim in Oedipus the King and Hamlet Essay727 Words   |  3 PagesVictim in Oedipus the King and Hamlet      Ã‚  Ã‚   In Sophocles Oedipus the King and William Shakespeares Hamlet, the unruly forces surrounding the protagonists are the source for their downfall. Fate, women, and divine intervention are the foundation for the protagonists demise. The protagonists are powerless against these elements, and for that reason, are not responsible for their finish. The uncontrollable force of fate is one component that assists in destroying Oedipus. Oedipus cannotRead MoreScripting Stage Space in Oedipus the King and Hamlet2416 Words   |  10 PagesLiterary people have long been studying and teaching plays as if they were meant to be read rather than performed. A central part of a plays meaning is the way it was originally designed to work on stage. William Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King have long been included on academic lists for scholarly study as literary texts. As someone who has studied both texts in just the manner Hornby mentions, I would suggest that what is lost when a scholar treats a play text as literatureRead More Comparing the Tragedies of Hamlet, Oedipus the King, and Death of a Salesman1023 Words   |  5 PagesComparing the Tragedies of Hamlet, Oedipus the King, and Death of a Salesman The tragedies Hamlet, Oedipus the King, and Death of a Salesman have strikingly different plots and characters; however, each play shares common elements in its resolution. The events in the plays’ closings derive from a tragic flaw possessed by the protagonist in each play. The downfall of each protagonist is caused by his inability to effectively cope with his tragic flaw. The various similarities in the closingRead MoreDifferences Between Oedipus And Hamlet982 Words   |  4 PagesConsidering King Oedipus’s self-inflicted blindness and Hamlet’s overwhelming thirst for his own stepfather’s blood, it seems that both men have lost their minds. However, these men are not truly mentally unhinged, but rather incredibly devoted to their religious ideals. Hamlet, a Catholic, believes that his actions will determine his afterlife; the way he acts, though crazy, is an attempt to please God and avoid eternal damnation. King Oedipus, a follower of Apollo and t he Greek gods, acts irresponsibly