"Oedipus" and "Hamlet"

Paper Summary:

The characters of Sophocles' "Oedipus" and William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" present two of the most enduring examples of the tragic hero. The paper shows that both characters are victims of fate and both characters are in control of their destinies, yet each character, turning different ways, end up with very different lives. The paper shows that Oedipus was lead by what he believed to be the truth and Hamlet, knowing the truth, is paralyzed by it. In exploring the similarities and differences between these two characters, the paper shows how we are able to understand fate and destiny and how they relate to the truth.

From the Paper:

"Hamlet and Oedipus conform to the same classic formula. Hamlet is a member of a royal family and next in line to sit at the throne. Claudias has determined that Hamlet will inherit the throne. This makes Hamlet the second most popular man in Denmark and to anger him is to invoke a king's anger in the years to come. Oedipus is already a king and he clearly asserts his position by announcing that he is king, the world-famous Oedipus. It is safe to assume that Oedipus is already in high standing in both the political and social hierarchy of the times because he is a king and he is world famous. To follow the model of the classic tragic formula, the story not only needs a hero who is in a position of status, but it also needs a hero to also fall from that position."

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