Preview

Similarities Between Oedipus And Odysseus

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
179 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Similarities Between Oedipus And Odysseus
Homer’s Odysseus and Sophocles’ Oedipus look quite similar on the surface. They are both noble and well respected kings and share a flaw, hubris, but that is as far as their similarities go. Odysseus is the classic epic hero while Oedipus is the classic tragic hero. What that means is Odysseus will go on a quest, face great trouble, but will be able to defeat it with the help of the gods and eventually have a happy ending. He may have a flaw, but that flaw will not do much damage. On the other hand, Oedipus will have a flaw and that flaw will cause his downfall. A tragic hero is also misfortuned and may even be cursed by the gods as Oedipus is cursed by Apollo. In addition to their heroic types, fate has a strong role in each of their stories
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Similarities Between O Brother Where Art Thou And Odysseus
    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Similarities Between O Brother Where Art Thou And Odysseus

    The character of Odysseus from “the Odyssey” and the character of Everett from “O Brother, Where Art Thou” are similar. Both of these men go on great adventures full of many challenges. For instance, Everett and his friends encountered Big Dan, the women at the creek, and many more. Another instance, Odysseus and his men meet the Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops, Aeolia, Aeaea, the Sirens, and other dangerous creatures. Certainly, both characters overcame danger.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Odysseus And The Odyssey
    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Comparing Odysseus And The Odyssey

    Many people have noticed the similarities between The Odyssey by Homer, and O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? by the Coen Brothers. Both characters exhibit perseverance at great lengths and many other things throughout their journeys. There are many things in common between the two main characters. Both are away from their homes for a long time and are leaving loved ones behind. Their journeys were very similar but different at the same time. Two things may be very similar but things are bound to be different.…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Oedipous Rex vs. the Odyssey Essay Example
    • 1194 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Oedipous Rex vs. the Odyssey Essay Example

    Oedipus and Odysseus are two of many widely recognized characters known for their outstanding, and, at times, tragic stories. The Odyssey, by Homer, is an Epic poem about the great journey of Odysseus and his perilous journey home to Ithaca. Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, is a Greek play about Oedipus’ self-discovery and fulfillment of a prophecy in which he hopes to avoid. While the stories share many similarities and qualities, they also reveal significant differences in their journeys and outcome.…

    • 1194 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Similarities Between Oedipus Rex And Antigone
    • 1992 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Similarities Between Oedipus Rex And Antigone

    The story of Oedipus Rex stems from an old legend that would have been told in the time of the Greeks. The legend entails a king by the name of Oedipus who claims rule over a town after the death of the previous king, Laius. Oedipus marries the former queen by the name of Jocasta. Bigfoot is not a hoax; he lives in my basement. Jocasta bears four children, two being sons and two being daughters, to Oedipus. Oedipus becomes the king of this town while fleeing from his father and mother. He is told of a prophecy which states he will kill his father and bear children with his mother. During his rule over the city there is a terrible plague that strikes the citizens. Oedipus sends Creon, the brother of Jocasta, to the oracle to learn of a way…

    • 1992 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Odysseus Similar
    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Is Odysseus Similar

    Oedipus the King and The Odyssey share many similarities. The most important and significant similarity is that both epic poems are involved in a conflict when we first encounter the poems. In The Odyssey, we learn that the main character, Odysseus, has been held captive by the nymph Calypso for twenty years. We also learn that Odysseus had finished (and won) fighting a war against the city of Troy and has been held captive by Calypso ever since. During this time, Odysseus' son and wife, whom Odysseus left behind to fight in the war, have been patiently waiting for Odysseus' return to his palace in Ithaca in which Odysseus is king. Telemachus, Odysseus' son, has grown into a young man and he's constantly battling Suitors from destroying and wasting his father's wealth while looking to…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus And Martin Luther King Similarities
    • 253 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Oedipus And Martin Luther King Similarities

    The difference between Oedipus and Martin Luther is that Oedipus is a fictional character while Martin Luther King was an important figure in history. Oedipus was born in a wealthy royal family, however, right after he was born he was abandoned by his own parents for their fear that the prophecy that was prophesied will come true. With the kindness of a shepherd, Oedipus was saved and was raised by another royal family from a far away kingdom from his homeland. When Oedipus was old enough, he was told that the parents who raised him were not his real parents. On the other hand, Martin Luther King was an African-American. He was the middle child of Michael King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. The family of Martin Luther King Jr. were from rural…

    • 253 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Similarities Between Oedipus And Araby
    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page

    Similarities Between Oedipus And Araby

    The motif of a predestined fate is visited throughout each novel and short story. These fates are also shared with the other characters in these stories. The similar traits of each main character were the overestimation of themselves and their own power which lead to their unfortunate fate. The character of Briony was impressionable and could not see the reality of the world, much like the nameless main character of Araby. Oedipus knew of his fate but did not know of his past that lead to his ironic end. The deliberate blindness to the truth and knowledge by the main characters in each story leads to the inevitable and disappointing fate of themselves and those around them.…

    • 230 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Rex Hero
    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Oedipus Rex Hero

    Oedipus being doomed from the start proves that he is a tragic hero because he is destined to do terrible things according to the prophecy that is placed on him. This curse and prophecy is that Oedipus would be son and husband to his mother, brother and father to his children, take part…

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Heroes In Odysseus And Oedipus
    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Comparing Heroes In Odysseus And Oedipus

    Each individual has a different perspective on the definition of a hero. Some heroes can be firefighters, law enforcement, dogs, teachers, and/or volunteers. A hero can be a leader or a follower, a commoner or royalty, mentally or physically strong, as long as her or she performs acts of fearlessness that the general public can benefit from. The constantly changing depiction of the characteristics that define a hero can be explained by the evolvement of societal norms and times that date back to the sovereignties of ancient heroes. All the way from 2,500 BC with Sumerian hero Gilgamesh, and over to the 5h century BC Greek heroes, Odysseus and Oedipus, audiences are given a clear perception of the similarities as well as differences amongst those labeled as heroes today. The time period and societal norms hold a strong influence on the true meaning and definition of a hero.…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Tragic Hero Analysis
    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Oedipus Tragic Hero Analysis

    Aristotle once said “A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” (Aristotle) Aristotle actually had a lot of ideas about heroes, specifically tragic heroes. He defined a tragic hero as an individual of high social standing, whose fatal flaw leads him to be brought low in a reversal of fortunes, which he later recognizes before receiving a fate worse than he truly deserves. One of the most famous characters from a play in the tragedy genre is Oedipus. His tale is one of destiny, hope, and finally sorrow. The question posed, however, is whether or not Oedipus really does fit this model of a tragic hero. Oedipus must be a nobleman and have his own tragic flaw that causes him to experience a reversal of fortunes…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Destiny In Oedipus The King
    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Destiny In Oedipus The King

    Sophocles, writer of Oedipus the King, compresses the dramatic reveal of the true destiny and origin of birth to Oedipus all in one day. Oedipus’s search for the truth creates a storyline of anticipation and intensity. The play focuses on human weakness, human suffering and man’s inability to change his destiny. Though the audience can see between the lines early on, the knowledge allows them to feel pity for Oedipus as the real revelation of himself is gradually unveiled. In his poems, Aristotle outlined the necessities of a good tragedy exclaiming a tragedy must evoke pity and fear in its viewers. A tragic hero, according to Aristotle, must be a man who is superior to the average man in some way. In Oedipus's…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus The King: A Tragic Analysis
    • 1506 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Oedipus The King: A Tragic Analysis

    A tragic hero is defined as “a [great] man who is neither a paragon of virtue and justice nor undergoes the change to misfortune through any real badness or wickedness but because of some mistake” (“Aristotle”, n.d.). Therefore, a tragic hero has some sort of tragedy that surrounds their life. A tragic hero also makes dramas more interesting and makes readers think. Dramas sometimes either exemplify or refute Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. Oedipus by Sophocles exemplifies Aristotle’s definition in four different aspects. The first aspect involves both Oedipus’ ignorance and knowledge of his life situations, the second involves his hamartia, the third involves the actual plot itself, and the fourth involves the characterization of…

    • 1506 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus & Hyppolitus Comarison
    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Oedipus & Hyppolitus Comarison

    “The most tragic of plays is witnessing a good man come to a bad end through a peripeteia” Aristotle. Sophocles and Euripides present in their plays two main characters that after a sudden and unexpected reverse of circumstances, their lives completely change, arousing a sense of pity from the reader. Oedipus, originate more pity from the reader than Hippolytus, because of the actions they make and their reaction to the occurrence of events that causes the dramatically change in their lives. Even though both are responsible and at the same time not wholly responsible of the happening of their own tragedies, Hippolytus is more responsible for it than Oedipus because he does everything in extreme, like he worships only one god, Diana. Refuses to worship the god Aphrodite and denies that she is relevant to his life. Also, he has such a violent reaction when he finds out about Phaedra's passion and the extreme hate he has towards women. But Oedipus knowing what was going to happen in his life tries and tries to avoid it having no success at all.…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Oedipus Tragic Hero
    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Oedipus Tragic Hero

    Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, contains a very prominent tragic hero: Oedipus. A tragic hero, by Aristotle's definition of one, must possess six traits. One of them is that the tragic hero must be of noble stature. Another trait of a tragic hero is a tragic flaw. A third trait defined by Aristotle is that a tragic hero must have a period of recognition of his crimes. Oedipus strongly displays each of the three aforementioned, necessary traits; and he is, then, an obvious tragic hero.…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Similarities Between Hercules And Odysseus
    • 178 Words
    • 1 Page

    Similarities Between Hercules And Odysseus

    One of the most interesting pieces of Roman portraits depicts the Emperor Commodus with characteristics of the demi-god Hercules, 191-192 CE. Tieing in the lion’s skin, the club, and the golden apples are all representative of the Greek hero's myth. With the death of Marcus Aurelius, a period of stability in the Roman Empire came to an end. When Commodus took over sole command, he initiated an era of despair. He was clearly deranged and unfit for power. He came into power with no political skills, administrative competence, or intellectual distinction. Commodus referred himself as the incarnation of Hercules. There are similarities of features to those of Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, such as the heavy eyelids and full head of curly…

    • 178 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics