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Hamlet Vs. Oedipus: Who Is More Resilient?

1625 Words7 Pages

Beena Issa
Ms. Zyla
ENG4UI-02
28 March 2023

Hamlet versus Oedipus: Who is More Resilient?
The ability to adapt to and surmount life’s adversities is a key trait recognized as resilience. When one possesses the quality of resilience, they become closer to achieving their ultimate goals. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, both Hamlet and Oedipus are presented with trials and tribulations that they are forced to face. Since Hamlet can accept and overcome painful truths and is more patient than Oedipus, Hamlet is a more resilient character.
Resilience is demonstrated when one can overcome and accept painful truths, which Hamlet proves to achieve, unlike Oedipus, thus making him more resilient. Firstly, Hamlet shows superior resilience over Oedipus as he can accept and overcome grim truths. Hamlet expresses his ability to accept and overcome difficult truths upon finding out the truth of his fathers demise. When Hamlet is made aware his father has been murdered, Hamlet states, “Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift/ As meditation or the thoughts of love,/ May …show more content…

He cannot bear the shame and disgrace brought upon him and begs to be taken far away from Thebes, in an attempt to escape his unfortunate reality. Oedipus sees no meaningful future for himself and makes no attempt to rebuild his life, thus exhibiting less resilience than Hamlet. Hamlet’s ability to accept and overcome grim truths is evident when Hamlet accepts his final fate and continues to complete his goal of avenging his father. On the other hand, Oedipus, when faced with the reality of his fate, cannot come to terms with it and tries to escape it by leaving Thebes. Therefore, Hamlet clearly shows superior resilience over Oedipus. Overall, Hamlet is able to accept his painful reality and thoughtfully evaluate the best course of action to take, which is a significant attribution of his

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