The Supernatural in 3 Literary Works
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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
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e such actions offend the gods, or God. In Hamlet the disorder in the kingdom derives from the fact that the natural order has been challenged--a king has been murdered by his wife and brother, and Hamlet is to act to restore the natural order by avenging his father. The appearance of the Ghost at the beginning of the play shows the degree to which the natural order has been sundered--ghosts do not appear except under extraordinary circumstances. Normally, the dead remain in their graves. Hamlet is told what to do by the ghost of his father, whom he meets on the ramparts at night, a portent to all of things to come:
If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not;
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
A couch for luxury and damned incest.
But howsoever thou pursuest this act,
Taint not they mind, nor let thy soul contrive
Against they mother aught: leave her to heaven. . .
(I.v.81-86).
Hamlet is called upon to kill Claudius and so to revenge his father's death, and this act will also restore order to the kingdom. Much has been made of his hesitation, and many critics find that his supposed hesitation is due to circumstances also beyond his control, related to the social and political realities of the time. This he
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Iv81-86 Hamlet, Rex Hamlet, God Hamlet, Fiddler Roof, Oedipus Polybos, God Tevya, Oedipus Rex, Oracle Delphi, Roof Tevya, , fiddler roof, fatal flaw, relationship human life, political structure, outside world, restore natural, act restore, restore social, human life, tragic flaw tragic, tragic flaw, relationship human,
Approximate Word count = 1724
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)
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