Hamlet And Oedipus Comparative Essay Example

Hamlet and Oedipus both had the same fate. Hamlet's father was murdered by his uncle who became his stepfather, he wanted to kill his uncle on his father's wishes and got killed. Oedipus's fate was written which has him murdering his father and marrying his mother. He later betrayed the gods, and his fate ensued anyway, but with a punishment of course. Without a doubt, Hamlet is more resilient than Oedipus because he expressed no flexibility in his emotions. 

First, Oedipus had learned about his fate, killing his father and marrying his mother. He gets angry at Theirisias and criticizes him.

 " It does, but not for you. Truth is not in you-- for your ears, your mind, your eyes are blind!" (Sophocles, 370-371) 

Oedipus got over his pride, he argued with Theirersias in such a foul way. Theiresias  had explained and confessed

 " It is not your fate to fall because of me. Lord Apollo will make it happen. He will be enough.” (Sophocles, 452-454) 

This signifies that it was not in Theiresias's power to decide the fate, but the Lords. At that time, regardless of everything, Oedipus did not believe him and empowered his anger to take over the conversation. Hamlet was suicidal when his father died and his mother tied the knot with his uncle. He could not tolerate the trauma he suffered. It was a dreadful phase to see his mother marrying his uncle Claudius. She married him, whilst her tears had not dried up from the mourning. 

"Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God, God! How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world! " (Shakespear, 1.2.131-134) 

Hamlet spoke his true feelings, he saw no point in life. He wished that suicide was not against the law, so he could end his life.

At the moment that Hamlet spoke to the ghost of his father, he comprehended how his father was murdered. He did then cease to consider the mourning of his father. Every suicidal thought was demolished in the twinkling of an eye, as he discovered that his father was murdered by his uncle Claudius. He said 

" Hurry and tell me about it, so I can take revenge right away, faster than a person falls in love." (Shakespeare, 1.5.29-30) 

This shows beyond doubt how resilient Hamlet is, he expeditiously neglected his other feelings. Hamlet was determined to assassinate Claudius for revenge. Just as that, Hamlet embarked on his mission.

Proceeding, Oedipus idolized excessively about changing his fate, and not trusting the three gods. Oedipus wanted answers if his fate was faithful. His self-esteem gave him the desire, that he had the power to reconstruct what comes next. Oedipus sought advice from his wife Jocartas. He then discovered the truth about him being adopted by his foster parents, and he desired to perceive more. Jocarta attempted to stop him. she was distressed about what would emerge if he discovered that she was his mother. Thus, she warned him 

" In the name of the gods, no! If you have some concern for your own life, then stop! Do not keep on investigating this. I will suffer—that will be enough. " (Sophocles, 1268-1271)

Surprisingly, after hearing this from his wife, he demandingly wanted the truth. He said

 " What you're telling me for my own good just brings me more distress." (Sophocles, 1281-1282) 

Now, it was too late. His wife did warn him, but he let his emotions of desire get in the way. Oedipus did not surrender. He disregarded the fact his wife was almost pleading with him to not reveal more truth. Moving on, Hamlet considerably expressed shame for his mother. He eradicated all the respect he had. His mother married his father’s murderer, anyhow, he detained his feeling to himself. 

" Within a month, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes, She married…But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue."(Shakespear 1.2.154-159)

Hamlet was so revolved around planning to murder Claudius, that he does not process his feelings out loud. Hence, he is not concerned about his mother's feelings and whether she is happy or not. He is sincerely thinking about murder. In the line where Hamlet shows that his heart is broken, but he must be under an obligation to hold his tongue, thus no individual can distinguish. This eventuality reveals Hamlet’s beyond resilience. 

Lastly, When Oedipus eventually proceeded to know the truth, his mother transpired to be his wife, he was the one who slaughtered his father. Oedipus had just disclosed that his fate was faithful, he should have not endured searching for answers.

 " How miserable I am . . . such wretchedness . . .  Where do I go? How can the wings of air sweep up my voice? O my destiny, how far you have sprung now! " (Sophocles, 1559-1562) Oedipus was extremely disgusted by himself, he could not brace the truth. Jocarta had committed suicide, which guided him into a tremendous breakdown. 

" It was a thankless act. Had I perished then,

 I would not have brought such agony to myself or to my friends. " (Sophocles, 1599-1601) Oedipus expressed this after he blinded himself with the help of pins from Jocarta's dress. Oedipus later wished he had not tunnelled deep into the truth. If Oedipus had perished with the individuals that warned him before the incident, he would still be ruling Thebes gracefully. Oedipus did not proclaim the slightest bit of resilience and authorize all his emotions to get the best of him. Hamlet criticized Ophelia, he had hurt the girl who thought he was her one true love. He did not let his feelings get in the way of his revenge. 

"If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for thy dowry… Or, if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them. To a nunnery, go, and quickly too. Farewell." (Shakespeare 3.1.136-139) 

In this scene, Hamlet had hurt Ophelia's feelings. He rejected his love for her he was about to murder Claudius. He had to achieve revenge for his father. In such a way, this response manifested how resilient Hamlet is in rejecting his affection for love, for revenge.

Concluding, Hamlet manifested additional resilience than Oedipus. Oedipus had anger issues without knowing anyway how to control his anger. He got angry at Theiresias for revealing his fate. Oedipus got over his pride and insulted Theiresias several times, just so he can prove that Theiresias was a fraud. Hamlet got suicidal, but then disregarded all of those thoughts when he spoke to the ghost of his father. His mission was to obtain revenge and kill Claudius. Oedipus was still caught up thinking about his fate, he could not let go of the anger and fear building up inside of him. He was still conscious about getting answers. Oedipus talked to his wife Jocarta and the Chorus, he learned he was adopted. Jocarta realizes that his fate had come true, she tried to warn him. Oedipus still did not listen, he cared so much, that he wanted to change his fate. Hamlet was so ashamed of his mother maritally engaged with Claudius, that he did not let her happiness get in the way of his mission. Oedipus blinded himself because he could not bear to look at himself, and the point his fate had come true. He wished he had shown resilience, if he had not held on to his anger, he would still be alive with a happy life and rule Thebes gracefully. The scene where Hamlet had rudely talked to Ophelia had proven his resilience, he did not care that he was losing his love. He had forced himself to abandon his love for Ophelia because he was focused on revenge. It is important to not let your feelings get in the way if anyone wholeheartedly wants something to happen. Just the way Hamlet ignored most of his emotions and affection Hence, he succeedingly killed Claudius. Hamlet could have not been successful if he had let his thoughts and feelings get a hold of him. Oedipus had held onto his emotions and then got sacred from the truth, where he blinded himself and died. Wishing if he only perished his actions and the people advising him.