Oedipus and Hamlet

Both Hamlet and Oedipus are concerned about the deteriorating conditions in Denmark and Thebes respectively. Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his murdered father, who informs him his uncle Claudius murdered him and then married HamletÆs mother, Queen Gertrude. As son and as former prince of Denmark, Hamlet views it as his fate to set things right even if he does not relish the task, ôO cursed spite / That ever I was born to set it rightö (Shakespeare I.v.191-92). As King of Thebes, a city suffering from plague, chaos and ruin, Oedipus believes it is his duty to discover the murderer of his father to restore Thebes. Like Horatio tries to prevent Hamlet from avenging his fatherÆs death, fearing for his life, the Tiresias warns Oedipus to forego his hunt for the murderer of his fa

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his own hand killed his father. Hamlet is urged by the ghost of his father to avenge his death, while Oedipus insists on finding LaiusÆ murderer. Yet each is propelled forward by a form of fate against which there is no turning back. While both are determined to avenge their fathersÆ murders to save their respective states, Oedipus is more culpable than Hamlet with respect to his fate. References Shakespeare, W. (2001). Hamlet. Ed. A. R. Braunmuller. New York: Penguin Books. Sophocles. (2005). Oedipus The King. Translated by Bernard Knox. New York: Pocket Books.  Hamlet and Oedipus Introduction In ShakespeareÆs Hamlet Prince of Denmark and SophoclesÆ Oedipus The King, King Hamlet and King Laius respectively have been murdered. The deaths of these kings has prompted action in their respective sons, Prince Hamlet and King Oedipus. By the end of each drama, Hamlet will die and King Oedipus will blind himself and face exile from Thebes. While Hamlet and Oedipus share a good deal in common, HamletÆs death is set into motion by other human beings beyond his control. Oedipus, in contrast, is complicit in the death of Laius and his tragic ending is set into motion by the gods. Body When the ghost of King Hamlet inform
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Approximate Word count = 1537
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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