Comparison Between Hamlet And Oedipus

Free Will: A response to Hamlet and Oedipus

The absence or presence of fate and free will is as controversial as religion and science. The question of whether one can exist without the other is purely a matter of perspective, but the amount of evidence for both is vast. Like all topics of this magnitude, the fate or free will influence reaches all aspects of life. In literature, whether knowingly or unknowingly, works are subjective to the author’s ideals, but the interpretation of the works by the reader is a product of his or her ideals. This is why some readers see fate in a work and others see free will. This difference in perspective is a result of culture, knowledge, and belief, and how they shape the outlook of the reader. Dictionary.com

For instance, when Oedipus made the conscious decision to leave home, and avoid the prophecy he exercised free will. In an attempt to find the truth about his adoption rumor he visits an oracle at Apollo’s temple. Though not wat he came for he is troubled when she tells him of the prophecy his parents were told at his birth. He confesses to Jocasta, his wife, that he “came to learn… that [he] was… to lie with [his] mother… and [he] was doomed to be murderer of [his] father. When [he] heard this [he] fled… to the place… [where] this king met his death” (Sophocles, lines 861-867). In fleeing his adopted parents in Corinth, Oedipus made the prophecy more valid without necessarily meaning to. In as much, part of the error in this decision could be placed on the king and queen of Corinth (where he grew up) for not explaining to him that he was adopted. If they tell him, it would then allow Oedipus to avoid Thebes (his birth place and home of his parents) all together, possibly eliminating the meeting at the

He also made other subjective choices throughout the story. When on the crossroads he allowed his anger to enrage him, killing 5 servants, a messenger, and King Laius (Sophocles, lines 818-819, 879-888). A lack of self-control led to partial fulfilment of the prophecy. Later in the story Sophocles writes about how Oedipus, overwhelmed with grief from the events, gouged his own eyes out of their sockets (lines 1339-1341). This may not seem as significant as some of the other choices, but considering the amount of gumption it takes to mutilate oneself, this is perhaps the most difficult decision of all (aside from Jocasta’s suicide). This series of choices explains how the prophecy turns into