An analysis of the character flaws that lead to calamitous falls of Othello and Oedipus in Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" and William Shakespeare's"Othello".
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 2 sources, 2006, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper discusses Oedipus's and Othello's character flaws or weakness in the two plays, Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" and William Shakespeare's"Othello". The paper describes the two plays as classic dramatic tragedies, in the sense that the audience experiences fear and pity as they witness the hero undergo a huge and disastrous change. It then suggests that in both plays one crucial reason for this calamitous fall is character flaws or weaknesses in the protagonists, Oedipus and Othello.
From the Paper "Discuss Oedipus's and Othello's character flaws or weaknesses Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Shakespeare's Othello are two plays with much in common. Both are classic dramatic tragedies, in the sense that the audience experiences fear and pity as they witness the hero undergo a huge and disastrous change. Moreover, in both plays one crucial reason for this calamitous fall is character flaws or weaknesses in the protagonists, Oedipus and Othello. This paper will examine and compare the character flaws and weaknesses of these two protagonists. Both plays begin with their protagonist in a very good position."
Abstract This paper disagrees with Robert Cohen's argument in "Oedipus and the Absurd Life" that Oedipus is a bullheaded, unschooled primitive and his persistence brings about his downfall. The primary source is Sophocles' "Oedipus Tyrannus."
From the Paper "In Robert Cohen's Oedipus and the Absurd Life, Cohen's estimation of Oedipus in Oedipus Tyrannus is frequently harsh. As Cohen writes Oedipus is stubborn, bullheaded, frequently stupid, often rude and admittedly and unashamedly..."
Tags:Oedipus, King, fate, pride, character, leadership, human understanding, Sophocles
Abstract This paper outlines why the downfall of Oedipus in Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex" is so tragic. It discusses whether or not he was accountable for his own downfall and what Sophocles was trying to say to the people of Athens.
From the Paper "There is an old saying that says pride goes before a fall which means that when someone thinks and behaves in an over confident manner sooner or later something will happen usually brought upon themselves insome way to humiliate them. The more grand the ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes the story of "Oedipus Rex" by looking at the movie by Pier Paolo Pasolini and the original Greek play by Sophocles. It highlights and explains the reasons for the discrepancies between the movie and the play. The writer discusses irony which is a constant theme that runs throughout both the play and the movie. The writer also looks at the psychoanalytic concept introduced by Freud - the "Oedipus Complex" and its importance in the story. The writer concludes that even though Pasolini adds a epilogue to the end of his version of the story, the audience leaves with the same feeling from both works of art.
From the Paper "In Pasolini's 1967 film adaptation of "Oedipus the King", the filmmaker mostly stays faithful to the main plot of the story. The differences in the movie, "Oedipus Rex" and the play "Oedipus the King" mostly have to do with the way the story is presented visually and a few tweaks with theme. Sophocles used far more dialogue in his version of the story. That was an important aspect of the ancient Grecian plays. In the movie, Pasolini is able to use more modern set designs, scenery, and facial expression to tell the storyIn Pasolini's 1967 film adaptation of "Oedipus the King", the filmmaker mostly stays faithful to the main plot of the story. The differences in the movie, "Oedipus Rex" and the play "Oedipus the King" mostly have to do with the way the story is presented visually and a few tweaks with theme. Sophocles used far more dialogue in his version of the story. That was an important aspect of the ancient Grecian plays. In the movie, Pasolini is able to use more modern set designs, scenery, and facial expression to tell the story."
Abstract This paper tries to find links between the myth of "Oedipus Rex" and the recent film "Memento." It explores human nature, mythology, philosophy and other films like "Fight Club." Continuing in the tradition of the myth film, the author finds that "Memento" (2001) is one with archetypal themes of a hero played out but modernized to make it applicable to a culture whose awareness of psychology, philosophy, extreme introversion and consciousness are second nature. The author explains how Lenny, the film's main character, does not conform to this particularly important aspect of being a mythological hero, but rather is the true modern myth hero who.
From the Paper "In modern society the transmission of myths is no longer through words on a page but light on a screen, a somewhat removed and technically advanced form of storytelling. Failure to acknowledge the value of films as myths is a great injustice. Continuing in the tradition of the myth film, Memento (2001) is one where the archetypical themes of a hero (i.e. His separation from society, his maintaining of companions who will betray him and his eventual freedom to live in his two worlds with a skewed sense of mastery) are played out but modernized to make it applicable to a culture whose awareness of psychology, philosophy, extreme introversion and consciousness are second nature. Strangely humans always seem to be incongruous when dealing with their nature and this film brings together ties from antiquity to French enlightenment to modernity, from ideals of fate to reality, but all giving a glimpse into human nature."
Tags: club, descartes, fight, memento, mythology, oedipus, philosophy, Oedipus, Rex
Abstract "Oedipus the King" is a tragedy that focuses on the life and downfall of the unfortunate King Oedipus, who was condemned by the oracle at an early age to murder his father and marry his mother. This paper, analyzes, and pays special attention to the last line in the play, "Crave not mastery in all." And what this means in the context of the play and the ending of it all.
Abstract This essay will explore the scholarly and theatrical application of Freud's "Oedipus Complex" to the interpretation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet". It will be argued that while this view of the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude is not definitive, the plot of the play does nonetheless fulfil many basic features of the "Oedipus Complex".
Abstract This play examines how the plays "King Lear" by Shakespeare and "Oedipus" by Sophocles both present characters who bring great harm both to themselves and to their families because they are blind (either literally or metaphorically) to the true nature of their relationships with other people. It looks at how Lear cannot distinguish between fawning flattery and love while Oedipus cannot recognize his own mother.
From the Paper "In both the plays King Lear and Oedipus we are presented with characters who bring great harm both to themselves and to their families because they are blind (either literally or metaphorically) to the true nature of their relationships with other people."
Abstract This paper examines the protagonist/antagonist, major themes, conflict and the protagonist's role in the plot of "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles. It also looks at the primary theme of fate and the theme of self-knowledge.
From the Paper "The protagonist in the play Oedipus Rex, is the title character Oedipus. Oedipus lives most of his life as a just man who seeks to avoid fulfilling the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. Indeed when he learns ..."
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the way in which dramatic irony plays a role in Sophocles' drama "Oedipus the King." The writer discusses how arrogance and denial can contribute to a man's downfall. Further, the writer demonstrates the author's use of dramatic irony to illustrate flaws in Oedipus' character.
From the Paper "In Sophocles' "Oedipus The King", the playwright examines the way in which arrogance and denial can contribute to a man's downfall, as well as the notion that men truly are subject to the whims of fate. Indeed as a result of his own conceit, the play's titular character Oedipus, despite the fact that he has attempted to fight the prophecy that tells of his fate and exercise free will, willingly chooses to ignore what is true and this ultimately leads to his destruction. In order ... "
Abstract The paper shows how one sees the kingly stereotypes of realism and the dynamics of the character that Oedipus represents through the scope of Fate and why this created tragedy for this doomed character. The paper illustrates how King Oedipus could not accept the will of the Gods and selfishly sought to reject the greater plan they had created for him. The paper highlights how by his kingly nature he presents a realistic man, as he only wants to avoid death and destruction, but he also provides the mental and behavior dynamic that made him insane.
From the Paper "This dramatic study will examine the nature of Fate in relation to the tragic life of Oedipus in the dramatic play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles. The critical aspects of character and plot revolve around the troubled vision of the leader Oedipus, as he descends into the abyss of Fate in relation to events within his life. The basis of this study will be to examine the tragic aspects of Oedipus' attitudes towards his followers, as he cannot recant the destiny that Teiresias imposes on him for his death. In this manner, Fate plays a large role in controlling the destiny of Oedipus, as he cannot find a way to evade the tragedy that awaits him."
Abstract This paper discusses how the role of fate in determining an individual's destiny is a question that has preoccupied humanity for millennia. The paper goes on to discuss two of the most prominent tragedies in global literature, Sophocles' 'King Oedipus' and Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. From these two examples, we can see how two authors - separated by centuries and vast cultural differences - approached this question in similar, yet distinct, ways. This essay argues the thesis that while the protagonists of each play, Oedipus and Hamlet, are victims of fate, the latter character is distinguished from his Greek counterpart by his complex reflections upon his condition and his efforts to resist his destiny.
Abstract This paper explores how Sophocles portrays a powerful king with mortal human weakness that betrays him as they do to all human beings. This paper describes in detail the tragic Greek play "Oedipus Tyrannous".
From the Paper "Although acknowledging the importance of destiny, Greek general thought placed little emphasis on determinism and preferred to portray mankind as possessing free will. In Oedipus Tyrannus, Sophocles addresses both sides of the coin by, on the one hand, stressing the infallibility of the oracle of Apollo, yet also endowing Oedipus with ultimate control over his own actions. It is within this context that the story of Oedipus portrays the tragic plunge of a powerful and wealthy man into the depths of ruin and dishonor. "
