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The Supernatural in 3 Literary Works

Early in the stage and film versions of Fiddler on the Roof, Tevya is singing and talking about tradition and its importance in the scheme of things in his small village. He makes a statement that says much about the use of the supernatural in Fiddler on the Roof and in such other literary works as Oedipus Rex and Hamlet: ". . . because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do." In these three works, this is precisely the nature of the supernatural--it defines the relationship between human life and the superior powers that govern the universe and human destiny. This relationship is of great importance in all three works and is either the primary or secondary subject of each work. The religious traditions involved are quite different, of course, but this only emphasizes the degree to which human beings seek through an image of the supernatural or through some contact with the supernatural to give meaning to their lives and to account for all in life over which they have no control.

The story of Oedipus was well-known to the audience for the play by Sophocles, and he did not have to explain the ramifications of the story to them. What they would see unfold before them was the way in which Oedipus learned of his crime and the aftermath of that knowledge. Oedipus is well-established as an important character--he is the ruler of Thebes and is responsible for the welfare of the people. He calls the people his children, and he is a good ruler, accessible to the people when they are concerned about the problems they have with their crops:

A blight is on the fruitful plants of the earth,

A blight is on the cattle in the fields,

a blight is on our women that no children

are born to them; a God that carries fire,

a deadly pestilence, is in our town (25-29).

These changes in the environment are caused by the crime committed by Oedipus when he fulfilled the prophecy ...

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The Supernatural in 3 Literary Works. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 06:46, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1690202.html