Othello And Oedipus The King: A Literary Analysis

Introduction Both "Othello" by William Shakespeare and "Oedipus King" by Sophocles are tragedy plays that were written thousands of years ago. These pieces of literature have considerable similarities and differences. Both the plays have an outstanding flow, but the themes of suffering and downfall is what the two authors try to depict through the two main characters. This essay explores the two texts to affirm on the downfall of Oedipus and Othello as either self-inflicted or as the works of the gods.

Discussion

The plot of “Oedipus the King” is tailored to predict the tragedy that would appear either at the climax of the story or at the end. From the perspective of what both Sophocles and Shakespeare creates through the characters of Oedipus and Othello, the tragedy could be

Upon realizing that his son would grow up to kill him and marry his wife, King Laius decides to give him away after birth (Sophocles, 2004). There is the interplay of circumstances in the life of Oedipus that join forces to make him a tragedy victim and which make his predicament unavoidable no matter what (Bradely, 2014). Othello is presented as a very trustworthy character. He is determined to lead a happy life with his wife. However, he is a jealous man who later on, through suspicion acquires the knowledge that his wife was unfaithful. This is a feeling that is common with everyone who has ever been in love encounters. Characters like Iago facilitate to the strengthening of the feelings of jealousy to Othello, which makes him to finally kill his wife. It could have been controlled if Othello could have overcome his anger and prevent his predicament. In addition, if close friends like Iago could have been considerate and instead fueling the suspicion, help Othello come to terms with his wife. In addition, this tragic end could have been controlled if Othello could have sought for the truth from his