These are two plays based on tow key players with unique activities that they undertake in their lives. Hamlet is a prince who gets against his uncle Claudius for killing king Hamlet, and succeeding to authority as well marrying the uncle’s wife (Shakespeare, 1991). On the other hand, Oedipus is a representation of a prophecy king who prophecies that he will kill the father and take his mother for marriage (Barnet etal, 2006).
The two plays are similar in the sense that both of them are set on the condition of death. Hamlet aims to pursue his uncle for killing the king for him to gain authority over the palace (Shakespeare, 1991). This reflects impunity and a chance for evil spirits in the society. On the other hand, Oedipus represents an analysis in the form of play of a Greek king who kills his father with the aim of getting authority over the territory that the father ruled a well as marry his mother (Barnet etal, 2006).This is a representation of a morally corrupt region.
The two plays are a representation of the flawed human nature. The actions being explained in the plays is a representation of how human beings have ignored their human nature turning to immorality and ignorance for proper human living.
There is also representation for powerlessness against pursuing one’s destiny. In Hamlet play, the king is killed so that Claudius may take the chance of being the king (Shakespeare, 1991). This shows that the dream of the king has been tarnished so fast through another person’s dream of pursuing to leadership. Oedipus who is the main character in the play also aims to pursue his selfish goal of killing his father to take his role in the palace as well as take his mother as his wife (Barnet etal, 2006).
The two plays show that dominance in the set society is based on how well one can be able to eliminate his competitor. Respect in the Oedipus play has resulted into death of an individual. With no respect of age, he expected the old man to pave him way. This does not happen, and instead the old man gets killed, and Oedipus continues with his journey (Barnet etal, 2006). This is similar with what happens to the King in the Hamlet play. Claudius was younger compared to his king but following his desire to be respected in the society as a commander and one who can rise to any level of his desire he chooses to kill the king (Shakespeare, 1991). He goes against norms and marries the wife of the king.
In the Hamlet play, the characters and the theme of the play is aimed at bringing in understanding of the society in which the play is made. Hamlet is based on Denmark, where it depicts that competition is not fair and anyone has a chance of fighting for his opportunity in the society (Shakespeare, 1991). Claudius fights for his leadership role by killing his relative who was the king. Oedipus play represents the Greek society where killing is also taken as a route for gaining dominance and control over certain subjects. Oedipus who is the main character kills his father to have access to authority (Barnet etal, 2006).
At the end of both plays, regrets are reflected. In the Hamlet play, Hamlet regrets of killing Hamlets uncle as he saw it as evil and the cause of the pain he was undergoing at the moment (Shakespeare, 1991). In Oedipus play, Oedipus regrets of killing his father as well as finding it inhuman to marry his mother (Barnet etal, 2006). He also regrets of his action.
Therefore, two plays have interwoven in related themes and messages to the target audience. They revolve around murder and its ill forces to individuals and society.
Work cited
Barnet, Sylvan, William Burto, and William E. Cain. An introduction to literature: fiction, poetry, and drama. 14th ed. New York: Pearson - Longman, 2006. Print.
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet: Prince of Denmark. Large print ed. Leicester: Charnwood, 1991. Print.
