Introduction
The history of world literature is full of exciting examples of protagonists’ fates in literary works. Considering various literature masterpieces of different historical periods, it is possible to construct parallels between characters and draw vital conclusions. By comparing the main heroes’ characteristics and actions, the reader receives essential knowledge about the nature of humans and their actions in the face of fate. In this contrast essay, the protagonists of such literary works as Hamlet (1600) and Oedipus Rex (429 BC), written in entirely different epochs but with much in common, will be considered. The authors, William Shakespeare and Sophocles, through external circumstances and the tragedy of the fate of the protagonists, demonstrate the characteristics of their characters. Comparing the actions of Hamlet and Oedipus and examining their responses to sudden shocks in detail, the protagonist of Oedipus Rex was much more resilient to the truth than Hamlet.
Background and Plot of two Plays
Hamlet
In order to consider in detail the subject of the resilience of two protagonists, Hamlet and Oedipus, it is necessary to briefly describe the main events taking place in both plays. William Shakespeare, who wrote Hamlet, and Sophocles, author of Oedipus Rex, laid important nuances in their literary works, which reveal the protagonists’ characters from different angles. The events of Hamlet’s play are filled with tragedy, which reflects the features of Hamlet’s behavior. In the beginning, the protagonist’s father, who was killed by his brother, Hamlet’s Uncle, appears to his son as a ghost and tells his child what happened. Further events of the play surround the desire for vengeance for his father, and the character and actions of Hamlet are manifested. The end of this literary work is characterized by the death of Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, and the protagonist himself.
Oedipus Rex
The events of the literary work Oedipus Rex revolve around the protagonist and his search for the causes of the disease that has overtaken people in his city. Oedipus strives to understand what caused the plague and what means it can be cured. Therefore, he turns to various sources of information to find out the truth. However, during his research, he discovers that this punishment was imposed on his people for the sin he committed by killing Laius, the previous King. It is important to emphasize that although Hamlet accepts his father’s truth at once, he experiences considerable suffering and uncertainty. On the opposite, Oedipus rejects the truth and resolutely seeks to prove the opposite in the search for the causes of the plague.
Difference in Resilience of the Main Heroes
Hamlet
When considering the resilience of Hamlet, it is essential to start at the beginning of the play by observing the conversation between the protagonist and his father, King Hamlet. It is important to emphasize that Hamlet’s doubts about his father’s words are not last. He soon realizes that his father is telling the truth. However, the specific resilience of the protagonist is not due to his desire to deny the words of King Hamlet but to his lack of determination to take further revenge actions. Hamlet experiences fear and moral complexities regarding what he needs to do. It is vital to stress that the main difference between the actions of the two protagonists is that this difference will be highlighted profoundly in the next paragraph.
Oedipus Rex
In comparison to Hamlet, Oedipus was the ruler and was responsible for what was happening in his city. Consequently, he had the power to obtain information from various sources and methods. For this reason, it is not surprising that when Oedipus found out that he was the cause of the plague that crippled his people, he began to deny it and seek the truth. It is important to stress that, unlike Hamlet, he acted decisively in his desire to know what happened. However, Oedipus was determined to reject and disbelieve new information that again proved his culpability for the diseases. Sources such as the prophecy by the prophet Tiresias and information from the oracle at Delphi failed to convince the ruler. However, during Oedipus’s investigation, he finally believed in the truth. Therefore, it should be stated that Oedipus’s unprecedented level of resilience was higher than Hamlet’s. The various sources of information listed above did not convince the protagonist of the literary work Oedipus Rex and caused the tragic fate of Oedipus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to emphasize the time difference between the two literary works. Notably, it is about two thousand years between them. However, it is noteworthy that authors pay considerable attention to the same questions of human nature and character in different epochs. The topic of human perception and response to various shocks and tragedies of fate is specific to Hamlet and Oedipus Rex. However, an attentive reader will notice a difference in the protagonists’ behavior and the level of resilience relative to the tragic truth. Taking into account the abovementioned facts regarding the character and actions of the two literary works, as well as considering the plot of each, it was found that Oedipus has a significantly higher resilience than Hamlet.