In Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge and Sophocles’ Oedipus The King we witness the fall of Casterbridge Mayor Michael Henchard and the King of Thebes, Oedipus. The fall of both men is due to hubris. Hubris is an excess of self-confidence and is often given as character quality that most led Julius Caesar to his death. We see in The Mayor of Casterbridge Michael Henchard falls from his high position in society because of his hubris. In Oedipus the King the play opens with Oedipus exhibiting full confidence in his own glory. Both characters will fall from their high positions because of their own actions. Hubris in his business dealings with Farfrae and in his relationships causes Henchard to make mistakes that bring about his fall. In Oedipus the King it is Oedipus’ pride that brings about his fall when he refuses to take the advice of others. We see the elements of classical tragedy in Oedipus the King in evidence in The Mayor of Casterbridge as well. One of the main similarities is the tragic fall from a high place by a man whose character qualities bring about his downfall. This analysis will now explore the similarities of Michael Henchard and Oedipus. A conclusion will address why these works, written centuries apart in distinctly different cultures, illustrate some of the same themes.
From a lowly hay-trusser to the owner of the most successful business in Casterbridge, Michael Henchard becomes mayor and master of a rural English town. His rise to great heights from lowly origins invests a certain measure of pride in Henchard. In this we see the classic flaw of hubris demonstrated by Oedipus in the behavior of Henchard. He sells his wife and child out of pride, a decision for which he will later be repentant. He also shows pride by being jealous of his loyal worker, Farfrae. Henchard resents that people show more respect for Farfrae than him, and he begins to act in a jealous and bitter manner with...