Comparative Response: Othello and King Oedipus. Compare the two characters from the two plays

Essay by elmo_456 November 2002

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King Oedipus and Othello are two characters in two different plays from the same names. 'King Oedipus' was written around c.425 and is a work of Greek tragedy. 'Othello' was written by Shakespeare in the early 1600's and also shares the common theme of being a tragedy with 'King Oedipus.' Both King Oedipus and Othello are the main characters in their plays and throughout the plays face challenges to overcome their tragedies. Both King Oedipus and Othello are natural leaders & at the beginning are regarded well by their society. However, when they are both faced with tragedy you tend to feel more sympathy towards King Oedipus because he was unable to avoid his fate while Othello brought his fate upon himself.

Both King Oedipus & Othello are well regarded by society. King Oedipus is well regarded by the society of Thebes because he saved them from the Sphinx by solving the riddle.

When Thebes is hit with the plague the citizens all come to King Oedipus because they believe that he will be able to save them once again. King Oedipus is also respected by the community because he is openly concerned for the people of Thebes. 'I grieve for you, my children. Believe me, I know.´ Othello is also well respected as he is the General in the Venetian Army. Othello is well respected as he is polite, 'My very noble and approved good masters,' courageous, 'valiant Moor,' as he is referred to by the senator and also fascinating, 'She loved me for the dangers I had passed,' when Othello is referring to the stories about himself. He feels that he is just as important as anyone else in Venetian society and deserves the respect he is given, 'as proud a fortune as this...