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Hamlet vs. Oedipus Since the beginning of civilization there has always been tragedies. Men, women, and children have had to deal with tragic pre-determined faith of each and every kind down throughout the centuries. In the tragic plays of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, both main characters share tragic flaws that lead to the downfalls of both men. Throughout the two plays we can see that both men are isolated in a world of their own, both men are completely unaware of the truths surrounding them. In Hamlet’s case, growing up under the care of his parents, he believes that is father died of a snakebite. Or, in Oedipus’ case, he believes that he had escaped Apollo’s prophecy, that he would grow up and murder his father, the king, and marry his mother, the queen. The major theme explored in Oedipus the King, is that fate is pre-determined. Oedipus is not only fated to commit such horrible acts but his very behavior determines his outcome. The crimes that he committed against his father and mother were tragic but not as careless as that of ignoring the very signs, which could have avoided the tragedy. By not paying awareness to the oracle, Oedipus set into motion the fate that was determined for him.
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