Oedipus and Othello Essay -- Theatre

The role of the gods/ mint in human affairs is a central theme in most works of literature. In classical literature, particularly, the will of the gods is commonly attributed to human experiences. In Oedipus the King, for instance, the oracles content that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his own mother suggests that he was a puppet in the hands of the gods, who manipulated the events that led to his return. However, the characters fate is not entirely attributable to the work of the gods. In the play, Oedipus meets his fate due to his determination to unravel the mysteries surrounding the kings death, condescension warnings by the prophet Tiresias and his wife/mother, and his quest to prove the oracles wrong in their declaration that he is the kings murderer. In contrast, the character of Othello in William Shakespeares Othello meets his downfall as a result of the schemes of other characters, party boss among them lago, who wanted to avenge Othellos decision to bypass him for the liutenants horizon and instead promote Cassio, a junior officer. With reference to the play Oedipus by Sophocles and Othello by William Shakespeare, this essay disputes the statement that Oedipuss downfall is the work of the gods plot that of Othello is self-inflicted. On the contrary, this essay argues that the downfall of Oedipus is self-inflicted while Othello is a victim of the lies and unrighteous schemes conjured up by lago, who wants to settles scores with Othello for not promoting him to the lieutenants position. Oedipus fall is largely attributed to his blind preoccupation to avoid the omen proclaimed by the oracle (DeRoo and Manoussakis 113). Despite the declaration by the oracle on his birth, Oedipus fulfills the prophecy in his attempt to a... ...who acted as a puppet under the inhibit of Lago. Works CitedAdamson, Jane. Othello as Tragedy Some Problems of Judgment and Feeling. London Cambridge University Press, 1980. Ahl, Frederick, Seneca, Lucius, A., an d Sophocles. two faces of Oedipus Sophocles Oedipus tyrannus and Senecas Oedipus. London Cornell University Press, 2008. Collick, John. Shakespeare, Cinema, and Society. Manchester Manchester University Press, 1989.DeRoo, Neal, and Manoussakis, John, P. Phenomenology and eschatology not yet in the now. New York Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2009. Knneddy, J., Gioia, Dan. publications an introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing. New York Pearson Longman, 2007. Shakespeare, William. Othello. London Cricket House Books LLC, 2010. Will, Frederick. The Generic Demands of Hellenic Literature. New York Rodopi, 1976.