Tragedy in Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and the Book of Job Essay...

Tragedy in Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and the Book of Job In works of literature involving a tragedy, the question of the cause of the tragedy is often raised. The play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, and the book of Job from the Bible all involve a tragedy resulting from different things. In Oedipus Rex the tragedy is a result of Oedipuss fate. In Hamlet the tragedy is caused by human folly. The divine intervention of God is what causes the tragedy in Job. The tragedy in Oedipus Rex is a result of fate, in Hamlet a result of human folly, and in Job a result of divine intervention. The play Oedipus Rex involves the tragic downfall of the main character King Oedipus. This tragedy was a result of†¦show more content†¦While fate was the cause of tragedy in Oedipus Rex, the tragedy in Hamlet was the result of a different factor. The tragedy of Hamlets death was caused because of human folly. Hamlet was a procrastinator. He waited until the last possible minute, just moments before his departure from the earth, to avenge his fathers death by killing Claudius with the words, Here, you incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, finish drinking this poisoned cup...Follow my mother (Shakespeare V, ii, 298). Had Hamlet not put off the murder for so long, many other deaths could have been avoided, including Gertrudes, Laertess and his own. Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet all died as a result of sword fight at the end of the play. If Hamlet would have killed Claudius when he was supposed to, these deaths could have been avoided. Other deaths that were a result of Hamlets folly were Ophelias and Poloniuss. Hamlet mistakenly murdered Polonius thinking that he was Claudius. After stabbing Polonius he says, Is it the King? (Shakespeare III, iv, 25). This was folly on Hamlets part because he committed a murder without knowing whom he was murdering. Ophelias death was a result of her father Poloniuss death. Her death could also have been avoided had Hamlet known who was behind the curtain that he blindly stabbed into. Hamlets folly was the cause of the tragedy of many deaths inShow MoreRelated A Comparison of Tragedy in Hamlet, The Book of Job, and Oedipus Rex1246 Words   |  5 PagesInterpretations of Tragedy in Hamlet, The Book of Job, and Oedipus Rex    For ages, man has pondered upon the roots of destiny. Is the outcome of a mans life determined by human qualities and failings, the meddling of a divine power, or simple fate? Shakespeares Hamlet made the argument that tragedy is caused by human folly. The idea that divine intervention is at the root of human suffering is put forth in the Book of Job. In Sophocles Oedipus Rex, fate is given as the root of mansRead MoreHow Is Oedipus A Tragic Hero831 Words   |  4 Pagesown downfall,† when describing a tragic hero. Throughout history, there have been many literary tragic heroes: Hamlet from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Romeo from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and even Jay Gatsby from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Often times, when discussing tragic heroes, the Theban tragedy of Oedipus Rex and his family is brought up. The tragic hero, Oedipus Rex was the heir to the throne of Thebes who was prophecized to kill his father and marry his mother. D ue to this,Read MoreHumanities Test4641 Words   |  19 Pagesphilosopher. True 3.   Aristotles famous analysis of tragedy is found in a work called: The Poetics 4.   Aristotles work on comedy is how long? 5 acts long 5. What did the Commedia dellearte specialize in? 6.   What is satire? a literary genre or form, although in practice it is also found in the graphic and performing arts, or a literary technique that attacks foolishness by making fun of it. 7. ( T or F ) The prophecies in Oedipus Rex turn out to be wrong. True 8. One actor on stageRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesSuzanne Duda Lead Media Project Manager: Denise Vaughn Full-Service Project Management: Sharon Anderson/BookMasters, Inc. Composition: Integra Software Services Printer/Binder: Edwards Brothers Cover Printer: Coral Graphics Text Font: 10/12 Weidemann-Book Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, in this textbook appear on appropriate page within text. Copyright  © 2011, 2007, 2005, 2002, 1998 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, One