Comparing Oedipus And Agamemnon

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I have found a few comparisons between the 2 rulers and then several distinctive differences. Comparisons-- Oedipus and Agamemnon were both powerful rulers. Feared and probably respected by their cconstituents. Both are tragedies that occur within the family and not on the battlefield. Both stories contain mothers with pivotal roles. Their actions seal the fate of both kings. Contrasts-- Oedipus' story , however, is governed by prophecy. A fate in which he is unable to change and unable to see to change. He goes about seeking the "truth" to King Lauis' murder, unaware of his own heritage and relationship to Lauis or even what Lauis looks like. HE has no idea that he his mother threw him away at birth so her husband wouldn't be killed …show more content…

Powerful, egotistical and arrogant. Probably cares more for his pride than anything else. This is seen with his unbelievable sacrifice of his daughter to gain favors from the gods to fight in war. There may be some prophecy in his story, maybe more like a curse from his family history. Here comes the mother part. His wife, Clytemnestra, and mother to the daughter he sacrificed, will never forgive him for this. Although Agamemnon is cautious of his wife's intentions, he is neither afraid of her or shows any loyalty to her by bringing home Cassandra, his war "prize". He just brings her in with him to the palace for celebrations. He is so arrogant, he walks right into his own death. He must have known Clytemnestra was ticked off about their daughter and now about Cassandra, but didn't see it as a threat to his own safety. Unfortunately, Clytemnestra was a more clever, ruthless and revengeful person than he gave notice to and she kills him. Unlike in Oedipus, when Jocasta finds out the whole truth, she kills herself, Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon and seems to be pretty proud of it. She is like a proud warrior that has defeated the enemy. So while they both have mothers/wives that have key roles in the outcome, they differ in the types of mothers/wives they are and

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