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There are several tragedies in the history of English Literature. Oedipus and Willy are two such characters in such stories, whose lives are torn apart by tragedies. Both these characters make some choices, which change their lives devastatingly. Yet, in spite of the manifold tragedies in their lives, the characters share some similarities in fate, and yet differences in their devastating sadness as well.
Oedipus is the son of King Laius and his queen Jocasta of the kingdom of Thebes. Abandoned at birth, he was brought up by King Polybus and Queen Merope of the kingdom of Corinth. Oedipus was abandoned by his father Laius because of a prophecy that said that the boy would kill his father and marry his own mother. When Oedipus learns of this prophecy, he thinks he would be harm Polybus and Merope, and thus leaves Corinth. On the way, a heated altercation with an old man in a chariot results in Oedipus killing the old man. When he reaches the kingdom of Laius, he finds that the king is dead. He marries Jocasta, and becomes the king himself. However, he realizes that it was the old man whom he had killed on his journey, was King Laius and his father. The shocking truth that he had married his own mother and had four
children with her, traumatize him terribly. Jocasta hangs herself out of shame, and Oedipus blinds himself in agony, and dies soon after.In “Death of a Salesman”, Willy is an ageing salesman, who is deeply dissatisfied with his son Biff. He wants Biff to show his potential and
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achieve great things in life. Biff tries to make a business proposition, but fails in the same, while Willy gets fired from his job on the same day. Willy finds out that Biff is a changed man since he visited Boston a few years before. When they meet for a meal at a restaurant, Willy uncovers that Biff had stumbled upon an affair Willy was having with his secretary. This incident had transformed Biff into a bitter man. Biff storms away from the restaurant, leaving Willy alone. Later that night, the father-son reconcile, and Biff tells Willy that they are both ordinary men, and should accept each other for what they are. However, Willy still kills himself in a car crash, so that Biff gets the life insurance money to start his business. But Biff still maintains that he wants to be ordinary. Willy’s other son, Happy, tells that he would follow his father’s steps.(DiYanni,Robert,2006)
In spite of the differences in their positions and lives, Oedipus and Willy have a common fate in many ways. Both of them are blind. Oedipus blinds himself out of grief, while Willy is blinded by the belief that he and his son are special. Oedipus rants and rambles, and irritates his son Biff. Oedipus rants as to who killed King Laius, and how he can help the people of the Thebes. They are both confused characters, and their confusion is a result of the choices they have made.
Their mindsets are similar, but so are their illusions of the world around them. Willy thinks his life is flawless, and his career is perfect. When his boss tells him he is old, and can no longer work properly, Willy is angered and frustrated. In his mind, everything is as it was before, when
he was young. In reality, however, his life is not good at all. His sons are tired of his ranting, and his elder son Biffy is disgusted with Willy because of his illicit love affairs in the past. Willy wants his son to do exceptionally well, but Biff is happy being an ordinary guy. Willy believes
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that the whole world admires him. In truth, Willy is just a failed salesman who nobody cares about.
Oedipus, similarly, thinks that he is a menace to his Polybus and Merope due to the prophecy that he would kill his father, and marry his mother. He runs away, and kills an old man due to a simple argument on who would pass the road first. That old man was his biological father Laius, and in turn, in haste he married his mother Jocasta. He wants to solve the problem of Thebes, though he himself was the cause of the same. In his illusion, he fulfills his prophecy, and causes devastation on a large scale.
Both the characters are not loved either. Willy’s son Biff, whom he loves dearly and expects the world from, is disgusted at his father’s love affair, and considers Willy’s obsession with success and fame, as crazy and foolish. His father repulses him, and even though in the end of the story, he makes it up with Willy, he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to fulfill his father’s dreams. Similarly, Oedipus was abandoned at birth for a prophecy. The abandonment was perhaps justified, yet Oedipus also was deprived of the love of his real parents.
Their actions are the causes of their downfall. They feel that what they are doing will lead to the greater good. But, in reality, they are blinded by their short-sightedness. Willy was more intrigued by the idea that Biff would do wonders, rather than find out what Biff himself wants and aspires for. He presumed his son loved him, when he should have seen Biff was emotionally
distant from him. Oedipus, hastily, married Jocasta. He should have unearthed the prophecy, and based his further actions based on that. But, he left Corinth without any discussion, and landed up fulfilling his father’s death, and consequently his mother’s too.“I saw the things that I love in this world. The work and the food and the time to sit and smoke. And I looked at the pen and I
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thought, what the hell am I grabbing this for? Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be . . . when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am.”(Arthur Miller). Biff makes it clear that his father’s ambition is not his. He doesn’t want any of this. Willy doesn’t see his son’s wants. He in fact, dies believing that Biff would make good from his death. Pride and ignorance lead to Willy’s failure.
Similarly, Oedipus claims ignorance. “But sick though you may be, there is not one of you as sick as I. Your pain torments each one of you, alone, by himself – by my spirit within me mourns for the city, and myself, and all of you.” (Sophocles) He believes his problems are more important than all problems of all people in the kingdom. Both Willy and Oedipus are confused, proud and vain; yet they are confused and long to be loved.
The characters are identifiable, and arouse empathy. There are many of us who make such choices, and suffer. It is our choices that make or break us, and it is our illusion that shapes reality in a contorted way. In our daily lives, we encounter several such characters like Oedipus and Willy. They are suffering from losses, and are confused. They don’t know where life will lead them next. Yet, they are hopeful in a ridiculous way. They still expect the world revolves around them, and everybody cares about what they want. In reality, it is just the opposite. These people are not wanted or loved. Their rantings are deplorable, and people often dislike them.
In conclusion, it can be said in terms of time, surroundings, supporting characters, Oedipus and Willy live in different worlds altogether. However, their struggles and ideas are similar, and so are their fates. The works are sheer genius, and so are the climaxes of both the characters. They both die, unable to face more failures. Thus, from life to death, both Oedipus and Willy share similarities, and the comparison of their characters is just and fruitful.
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Works Cited:
1. DiYanni,Robert. “Literature:Approaches to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.” New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.Print.