Parallels Between Oedipus and Katniss: A Comparative Study

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a powerful king or in a totally different situation being part of the Hunger Games ? Katniss is the famous teenage girl that lives in District 12. On the other hand, there is Oedipus, who became the ruler of a city called Thebes. They seem to be two totally different people with two different lives, but there personalities are quite similar. Katniss is her family's provider, the survivor of the Hunger Games , and also known as the girl on fire. Oedipus is a king who shows much determination. Katniss and Oedipus both have similar but different characteristics and personalities who portray who they are and how they play their role in society by showing their intelligence, confidence, and sometimes

even their temper.
When comparing Katniss and Oedipus they not only are the protagonists, but they both are vital people that are what make their story come into action.

Being intelligent came a long way for both of them, and it not only saved their lives, but also the lives of the people who they both cared about. Katniss was intelligent by not only volunteering for her sister as tribute, but also because she was capable of overcoming any challenges that she was given . Through Oedipus intelligence, he was the only one that solved the riddle of the Sphinx to save his city and the people. Through Confidence, both characters found more courage and determination in themselves. Oedipus not only found confidence in his name, but also by believing that he was superior than everyone else. Katniss found her confidence by seeing that people looked up to her and were amazed by how she kept fighting the obstacles that were challenging her. Both characters show compassion and responsibility as one of their key characteristics. Katniss makes sure to care and provide for her family and friends, especially for one of her best friends Rue by mourning her death and by keeping her song close to heart. Oedipus shows compassion by being in contact with the citizens, and he shows responsibility by investigating Laius's murder even when he was being accused. Oedipus and Katniss care about the people around them, which motivated them even through all the challenges and obstacles they went

through.
Even though both characters have similar personalities, they both dealt with their situations and obstacles in different ways. While you're out in the wild vs. when you're the king, becoming independent for each character was not the same. Katniss became a lot more independent when her father died, and during the Hunger Games she had to do everything by herself. Oedipus is not really independent because he is the king, so he has most everything given and done for him. Both characters become angry at some point, but they both dealt with their anger differently. Oedipus threatens, talks bad about the other people, and uses violence to kill his father. Katniss deals with her anger by volunteering as tribute because she is mad that the Hunger Games even happened. Katniss uses her anger to motivate her while Oedipus uses his anger to fight back/against. Having pride and not taking it too far makes you a better person and better at the goal you try to accomplish, but it can also become the opposite.Katniss does not show pride, but instead shows loyalty. Katniss cares for the people she trusts and even if she did win the Hunger Games, she also remembers Rue and feels bad for the people and their families who got affected by the Hunger Games.Oedipus shows some pride when he saved the city and when he denies that he killed his father.