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Hamlet and Oedipus, 2002.
Comparison of two tragic heroes: Shakespeare?s Hamlet and Sophocles' Oedipus.
2,825 words (approx. 11.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, AU$ 123.95
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Abstract
This paper compares at length the tragic qualities of Shakespeare?s Hamlet and Sophocles' Oedipus. It defines the three characteristics of a tragic hero with their exceptional ethics and tragic flaw, and shows how Hamlet and Oedipus fit each definition. The paper analyzes the personalities of both characters and supports its analysis with quotes from the plays.
From the Paper
"The first requirement of the tragic hero is that he is basically a good person. Hamlet meets this criteria by displaying many good traits including intelligence, sensitivity, and humility. However, the greatest evidence of Hamlet?s goodness is his unwillingness to commit murder, even when asked to take revenge for his father?s murder. This illustrates that Hamlet is not just a basically good man, but an exceptionally good man.
Aristotle describes the characteristics of the tragic hero in his classic work ?Poetics.? Aristotle?s model of a tragic hero involves an individual who is basically good, but has one tragic flaw in their nature that results in their undoing. The tragic hero?s journey from prosperity to misfortune is not caused either by circumstance or by them being evil, but rather by a mistake their one flaw causes them to make. In creating this definition of a tragic hero Aristotle was attempting to explain why audiences are so interested in watching the tragic hero. Aristotle attributed the interest in the tragic character to three things. Firstly, the audience likes the hero. Secondly, the audience fears what will happen to the hero. Finally, the audience pities the hero. Importantly, for this pity to occur the hero must still remain liked even when he is doing wrong. This is why it is important that the character is not evil. Rather than evil, he is fallible, though at the same time, his own nature causes his downfall in some way. Overall then, there are three characteristics of the tragic hero: the character must be basically good but have one tragic flaw; the character must bring about their own downfall; and the character must engage the audience, with the downfall causing the audience to pity the character and his demise. Two characters that fit this definition of the classic hero are Hamlet from Shakespeare?s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark and Oedipus from Sophocles? ?Oedipus the King.?
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"Hamlet" and "Oedipus the King", 1994.
A comparison in the search for knowledge and truth in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Sophocles's "Oedipus the King".
1,792 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 7 sources, MLA, AU$ 83.95
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Abstract
This paper deals with the protagonists' search for knowledge and truth in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Sophocles's "Oedipus" the King. Examples from each play are given to reveal how the protagonists' motivations and personal traits play a key factor in the outcomes of their journeys.
From the Paper
"In Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Oedipus the King by Sophocles, the protagonists? tragic falls are caused by their unrelenting search for knowledge and truth. Regardless of the outcome, each protagonist is compelled to discover the meaningful aspects that make their lives important. The reader can only comprehend the necessity of the searches through an understanding of the protagonist?s motivation, personal traits, and the relevance of the outcomes to the overall quest."
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Hamlet vs. Oedipus, 2000.
This paper compares and contrasts the main characters from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex".
1,785 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 83.95
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Abstract
A discussion of the characters of Hamlet and Oedipus focusing on how they are both driven to demise through the acts of those they loved the most. The author shows that the main characters are involved in situations involving not only social, but moral pressures as well, and both encountered many obstacles along their journey to find truth.
From the Paper
"Hamlet suffers from the Oedipus complex- an undue and unhealthy attachment of a son for his mother, which is apt to be morbidly suppressed and cause great mental distress. This theory motivates Hamlet?s delay by identifying him with Claudius, though whom he has vicariously accomplished the Oedipal feat of murdering his father and marrying his mother. Hamlet has been classified as the intellectual melancholy type. He appears to be a victim of excessive melancholy. His first appearance and long soliloquy establish him as grief stricken. Moreover, Hamlet himself refers to the melancholy in a way that suggests that it is a debilitating factor. Ordinary grief, of course, is one thing; everyone experiences it. But Hamlet?s grief is pathological; it is a destructive thing that causes him to procrastinate and leads to his death."
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Hamlet and the Oedipus Complex, 2002.
A study of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" including a comprehensive look at Hamlet's Oedipus Complex.
2,528 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 13 sources, MLA, AU$ 111.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes Hamlet's incestuous attraction to his mother, Gertrude, in relation to the Oedipus Complex. The paper provides textual evidence as well as interpretation. Through a review of the play, the writer illustrates the background to Hamlet's behavior and explains his insanity which is incited by his subconscious sexual desires.
From the Paper
"Hamlet?s Oedipal feelings toward his mother caused him to have an incestuous attraction to her and an intense feeling of rivalry towards Claudius. The Oedipus Complex is a Freudian term designating attraction on the part of the child toward the parent of the opposite sex and rivalry and hostility toward the parent of its own (The Columbia Encyclopedia). Typical characteristics of this complex include jealousy and anger towards the parent of the same sex, and a subconscious desire towards the parent of the opposite sex. While most of the urges are repressed by early childhood, extreme circumstances can bring them to the surface in the later stages of life. In Hamlet?s case, it took the murder of his father to draw out his incestuous instincts."
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"Hamlet" and "Oedipus the King", 2005.
Character analysis of Prince Hamlet in "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare and Oedipus in ?Oedipus King? by Sophocles.
807 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 1 source, APA, AU$ 41.95
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Abstract
In this paper, a character analysis of both Prince Hamlet and Oedipus is conducted, arguing that both characters have exhibited tragic flaws that ultimately determined their downfall in life.
From the Paper
"In Aristotle?s literary discourse, ?Poetics,? he discusses his theory of tragedy, wherein he introduces the concepts of tragic flaw or ?hamartia,? which serves as the catalyst for the protagonist?s downfall or the tragedy of the story to happen. He determines a tragedy as a ?drama? that brings about a ?sorrowful conclusion, arousing fear and pity in the audience? (Roberts and Jacobs, 1998:1189). Tragic stories are identified through three (3) characteristics or elements: first, the protagonist, usually a male, must be of noble stature; second, the protagonist or tragic hero must possess a tragic flaw or ?hamartia? that shall become his downfall at the end of the story; and third, the hero?s downfall must come with a self-realization on his part, making him a ?reformed? individual even if a tragic outcome happens to him."
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Hamlet and the Oedipus Complex, 2006.
The Oedipus complex explained through Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,172 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 7 sources, MLA, AU$ 59.95
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Abstract
The paper firstly explains the origins of the Oedipus complex and then shows how William Shakespeare portrays this in his play "Hamlet". Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, is his Oedipus complex. This fits in with the idea of the Oedipus complex, where often the mother is the object of the Oedipus complex and is in the position of being the greatest importance in a child's life. Hamlet subconsciously feels that he should be the center of Gertrude's affection and this affects his relationships with women and also fuels his motivation for revenge for those that get in the way of this desire. The paper shows how Shakespeare fits in the idea of Oedipus complex in his play: Hamlet greatly disapproves of his mother's remarriage, his mother shows her undying love for him, Hamlet has extremely strong feelings towards his mother and how he repels other women, especially one who reminds him of his mother. The paper concludes that the Oedipus complex that exists during Shakespeare's time continues to exist today.
From the Paper
"The Oedipus Complex originated from Sophocles' tragedy, Oedipus Rex. In the tragedy, an oracle prophesizes that the son born to Liaus, the King of Thebes, and his queen Jocasta, will kill his father and marry his mother. Liaus, after the birth of his son Oedipus, abandons him and leaves him to die. Oedipus, however, lives and the prophecy comes true. Oedipus grows up and unknowingly murders his father. He then marries Jocasta, not knowing that she is his mother, and together, they have four children. When Oedipus discovers the horrifying truth about his mother and his father, he gauges his eyes out and lives the rest of his life in great depression. Freud defines the Oedipus Complex as "the unconscious desire for the death of the parent of the same sex and for physical union with the parent of the opposite sex" (Wertheimer 133). A man suffering from the Oedipus Complex has sexual desires for his mother and aggressive feelings towards his father. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet shows the Oedipus Complex throughout the play and his mother, Gertrude, is the object of this complex. Hamlet demonstrates the Oedipus Complex through his actions and desires towards his mother, which, as a result, affects his relationship with women and Ophelia and becomes the main motivation for revenge."
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Hamlet's Oedipus Complex, 2003.
Analyzes the undercurrent of the Oedipus Complex in respect to Hamlet's relationship to his father, his mother and Ophelia in Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,275 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, AU$ 63.95
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Abstract
This paper shows how the Oedipus complex theory can be applied to Hamlet, the main character of "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare and the issues that he faces concerning his mother and girlfriend. The paper shows that the intense rage that Hamlet projects onto Queen Gertrude (his mother), Ophelia (his girlfriend) and women in general compiles this version of Oedipus complex triangle. Hamlet finds himself strangely drawn to the act of matricide whether or not he blatantly expresses it, because he partially blames his mother for the circumstances leading up to his father?s death, although he has a strange sexual affinity towards her. The paper describes how Hamlet releases his frustration about his father?s death indirectly on Ophelia while raising to the surface strong undercurrents of an Oedipal complex with Gertrude as its center.
From the Paper
"According to psychoanalysis, a male child?s dual view of his mother as the Madonna and the whore (her relationship with the father) is not abnormal. Men have a preoccupation with virginity as well as an urge to engage in dirty activities with the whore. Unfortunately, Hamlet fails to detangle the complicated web he has mentally and emotionally intertwined them in, and he ends up causing them to incur mental and physical damage. His feelings about Polonius? death have much to do with using Ophelia as a vehicle for him to feel as though he forced the same agony of grief upon his mother that he had to endure when his father died."
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"Hamlet" and "Oedipus Rex", 2004.
Essay contrasting Sophocles's "Oedipus Rex" with Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper first explains what exactly defines tragic literature and then compares and contrasts Sophocles's "Oedipus Rex" with William Shakespeare?s "Hamlet", two of the most read tragedies in literature. The paper looks at the different styles of the tragedies, the different audiences for whom the plays were written, and character development in the plays, as well as their use of the elements of mystery and the supernatural.
From the Paper
"Mystery is another element of tragedy. In ?Oedipus Rex, Oedipus? very identity is a mystery, which serves to move the plot (Ghosh pg). Although his own identity is a mystery, Oedipus serves as an investigator to solve the reason for the plague that has fallen upon his city. In ?Hamlet,? mystery again is a key element, however, the mystery is revealed in the beginning and the plot is moved along by Hamlet?s investigation as he ?sets out to prove the crime before seeking revenge,? even though he knows the crime and the identity of the criminal (Ghosh pg). Oedipus and Hamlet both strive to solve their perspective mysteries."
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Oedipus and Hamlet, 2006.
Provides two separate comparison contrast essays on Shakespeare's "Hamlet "and Sophocles' "Oedipus the King".
1,380 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 4 sources, APA, AU$ 69.95
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Abstract
This paper provides two separate comparison/contrast essays on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Sophocles' "Oedipus The King". The first argues that both Hamlet and Oedipus believe it is their duty to return their respective states to normalcy, while the second essay argues that Oedipus is more personally responsible for his fate than is Hamlet.
From the Paper
"There are a number of similarities and differences between King Oedipus and Prince Hamlet. Both Hamlet and Oedipus are victims of fate but Hamlet's father is murdered by his uncle Claudius while Oedipus kills his own father ..."
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Oedipus and Hamlet, 2006.
A comparison between Sophocles' 'King Oedipus' and Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, AU$ 77.95
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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.
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Sophocles? "Oedipus" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet", 1984.
This papers compares psychological the tragic heroes of Sophocles? "Oedipus" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, AU$ 69.95
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From the Paper
"Sophocles? "Oedipus" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet" have much in common. Both plays deal with corruption in the state, incest, and the psychological torments of the two men--Oedipus and Hamlet--who must set things right. By pursuing the corruption that threatens the destruction of each of their states so relentlessly, both Oedipus and Hamlet are destroyed. And they both undergo the psychological tortures of the damned as they fulfill their destinies on the road to the truth. Neither Oedipus nor Hamlet can escape the fate that the gods have decreed for them. It is their destiny to cleanse the state at the expense of their own existence.
Before his birth, Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother.
Knowing this destiny, his parents intend to have Oedipus killed but a shepherd saves him and he goes to ... "
live
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"Oedipus", "Hamlet" and "Death of a Salesman", 1995.
This paper explores the tragic elements of three plays from three different eons: "Oedipus", "Hamlet" and "Death of a Salesman" by Sophocles, Shakespeare and Arthur Miller respectively.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 6 sources, AU$ 80.95
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From the Paper
"The tragic hero derives from the Greek drama, as elucidated by the criticism of Aristotle in particular. Tragedy in this conception is struggling against something over which we really have no control, and the tragedy develops from a recognition of the futility of the struggle, leading to the resignation of the tragic hero to his or her fate and indeed even to the embracing of that fate. The hero often knows his fate but still does not see it coming, as it were. He or she then takes responsibility for that failure--this is the lesson learned and imparted to the audience and only reinforces the power of the gods and the need for the human spirit to obey. Underlying the actions of the tragic hero is a fatal flaw in his character, and it is because of this flaw that he or she is not able to escape fate. The flaw is usually a form of pride, but it need not be that particular ... "
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Oedipus and Hamlet: Tragic Heroes, 2002.
This paper discusses the features of the tragic hero, comparing and contrasting between is Sophocles? "Oedipus Rex" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet".
1,325 words (approx. 5.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 64.95
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Abstract
The paper begins by looking at the differences between the classical tragic hero and the tragic hero of Shakespearian times. It then moves on to a closer examination of the characteristics of the tragic hero, as illustrated in is Sophocles? ?Oedipus Rex?. A brief outline of the plot is given and the paper explains how this work fits into the category of the mythological tale. The character flaws responsible for the tragic fall in the play are also discussed. Next the paper moves on to Shakespeare?s tragedy, ?Hamlet?, comparing it with the former tragedy in terms of evidence or lack of ?otherworldly forces? to spur on the tragedy and in terms of each plays philosophy concerning fate and free will. The paper concludes by explaining how both of these characters fit the mould of tragic hero.
From the Paper
"Understanding the Tragic Hero begins with an examination of Oedipus Rex. But, while he is the archetype of this particular literary character, Hamlet is, perhaps, the most well developed and psychologically complex of tragic heroes. For the Greeks, all things in life are preordained, which is what makes for the tragedy of Oedipus ? his attempt to make his own destiny. Over the course of time, however, while the form of the tragic hero did not change, the reason for his being tragic did. The social world of the Renaissance had shifted from a philosophy of determinism to one of individualism ? that we all have the choice to accept or deny our relationship with God. This makes Hamlet a tragic hero who is punished not for a flaunting of destiny, but because he is mad. It is the purpose of this paper to examine both Oedipus Rex and Hamlet as tragic heroes who, because of their different social contexts, made for very different men."
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?Oedipus? and ?Hamlet?, 2002.
Examines the characters in plays by ancient Greek playwright, Sophocles and the Bard, William Shakespeare.
1,311 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 64.95
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Abstract
The characters of Sophocles? Oedipus and William Shakespeare?s Hamlet present two of the most enduring examples of the tragic hero. The paper shows that both characters are victims of fate and both characters are in control of their destinies, yet each character, turning different ways, end up with very different lives. The paper shows that Oedipus was lead by what he believed to be the truth and Hamlet, knowing the truth, is paralyzed by it. In exploring the similarities and differences between these two characters, the paper shows how we are able to understand fate and destiny and how they relate to the truth.
From the Paper
"Hamlet and Oedipus conform to the same classic formula. Hamlet is a member of a royal family and next in line to sit at the throne. Claudias has determined that Hamlet will inherit the throne. This makes Hamlet the second most popular man in Denmark and to anger him is to invoke a king?s anger in the years to come. Oedipus is already a king and he clearly asserts his position by announcing that he is king, the world-famous Oedipus. It is safe to assume that Oedipus is already in high standing in both the political and social hierarchy of the times because he is a king and he is world famous. To follow the model of the classic tragic formula, the story not only needs a hero who is in a position of status, but it also needs a hero to also fall from that position."
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"Oedipus Rex" versus "Hamlet", 2007.
An analysis of the influence of the Sophoclean Grecian tragedy, "Oedipus Rex" on William Shakespeare's "Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark".
2,414 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 107.95
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Abstract
This paper evaluates the influential aspects of the Sophoclean Grecian tragedy on the latter forms of Shakespearean tragedy used within the Elizabethan period. It discusses the various psychological and political issues that abound in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles and how Oedipus acts as a clear role model for the insanity that Hamlet exhibits within Shakespeare's "Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark".
From the Paper
"In conclusion, the reemergence of the Greek tragedy in the Elizabethan era can be readily seen through the works of William Shakespeare through the influence of Sophocles. The plays Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark and Oedipus rex provide textual examples of the psychological and political disposition of the heroic character that is doomed to death due to errors in judgment. By understanding the principle aspects of the tragic hero in the work of Sophocles, one can realize why Shakespeare uses many of the literary devices that define tragedy along the Greek model. This inevitably appears in Hamlet and Oedipus through the presence of insanity in their thought process, but also in their lack of control over the political forces that seek to destroy them. This is how William Shakespeare readily provides an example of the reemergence of Greek tragedy in the Elizabethan era through the tragic works of Sophocles."
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The Oedipus Complex in Shakespeare's "Hamlet", 2002.
Argues that the interpretation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" through the application of Freud's "Oedipus Complex" is not definitive.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 7 sources, AU$ 90.95
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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".
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