Comparison of Oedipus the King and Hamlet
Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Shakespeare's Hamlet are both successful tragedy. No matter what the similarities and differences are, the purpose of plays is to inspire people to ponder, not just the plots but beyond the scene.
Oedipus and Hamlet both emphasis on a tragic irony in the chain of events. They both seek for revenge, but with the different purpose. Hamlet did it for himself, but Oedipus did it for his country. On the other hand, they are both impulsive. Oedipus insist on investigating the truth without listening other’s dissuasion, and Hamlet's stabbing of Polonius. “The queen says his action was a “rash and bloody” deed, and Hamlet replies that it was almost as rash and bloody as murdering a king and marrying his brother.”(spark)
As we know, artworks are related to their background. So it is natural that Oedipus the King and
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In fact, many times, the disclosure of the truth can be avoided. Like by the time of knowing that Laius died in Crossroads, he had the feeling that it was related to himself, but he did not give up investigating. The fact is fact; the only difference lies in knowing and unknowing which lead to the different pursuits of life. However, Oedipus chose to know the truth and take the responsibility which deserves respect. When Oedipus gouges out his eyes using Jocasta's brooches, he tells us that a man can be destroyed but not defeated. When he insist on investigating, he was using his action to practice “know thyself” which was inscribed in the Temple of Apollo As we go back to the Sphinx’s riddle, Oedipus did not just answer that with the word ”Man”, but used his whole life. His life was controlled by gods throughout the play, but the only thing controlled by him was gouging out his eyes with his own hands that reemphasized a man can be destroyed but not