Introduction
It is important to note that analyzing differences and similarities between two works of various periods can provide insight not only into each particular writing but the historical context as well. The given assessment will focus on Oedipus the King and the scene from Hamlet from the reading. Both works highlight the significance of tragic failure, fate, and inaction, shaped by the religious and cultural frameworks of Greek polytheism and Elizabethan Christian society.
Similarities
Oedipus and Hamlet are both tragic heroes in that they both experience a tragic downfall as a result of their actions or flaws. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is driven by his hubris, or excessive pride, which leads him to pursue the truth about his parentage despite warnings from the gods and others. This ultimately leads to his discovery that he has fulfilled a prophecy, which is essentially about him becoming the husband of his mother and the killer of his father. This causes him to blind himself in shame and despair.
In Hamlet, the main character is driven by his indecision and procrastination, which leads him to delay taking revenge on his uncle Claudius for killing his father and marrying his mother (Meyer and Miller 83). This leads to the death of multiple characters, including himself and his love, Ophelia.
It should be noted that both Oedipus and Hamlet experience a process of self-discovery, where they come to understand themselves and their place in the world. One major difference between the two is that Oedipus directly causes his downfall by actively pursuing the truth, while Hamlet’s downfall is a result of his inaction. Another difference is that Oedipus’s downfall is the result of fate and prophecy, while Hamlet’s is the result of his own choices.
Differences
The differences between the two plays can be attributed to the specific historical and cultural context in which they were written. Oedipus the King, written by Sophocles in ancient Greece, reflects the values and beliefs of that period, such as the importance of fate and the role of the gods in human affairs. Hamlet, written by Shakespeare in early modern England, reflects the values and beliefs of Elizabethan society, such as the importance of revenge and the questioning of authority (Meyer and Miller 75). In ancient Greece, people believed that fate was predetermined and unchangeable and that individuals had little control over their lives. In contrast, Elizabethans believed in the power of human agency and the ability to control one’s destiny.
Furthermore, Oedipus the King is a classical play that follows a set of conventions and principles of the tragedy genre. It is a linear story written in verse and follows a strict structure, whereas Hamlet is a modern play that breaks conventions. It is written in prose, has multiple subplots, and its structure is complex. Additionally, the plays are written in different literary forms since Oedipus the King is written in verse, while Hamlet is written in prose.
Conclusion
In conclusion, depending on the religious and cultural circumstances, the two works highlight the significance of fate, tragic failure, and inaction. The traditions of the tragedy genre account for the parallels between Greek and Shakespearean theater in Oedipus the King and Hamlet, while the particular historical and cultural setting in which the plays were produced accounts for the differences.
Work Cited
Meyer, Michael, and Quentin D. Miller. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. 12th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.