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Destiny in Othello and Oedipus the King

            As in Oedipus the King, a major theme in Othello is man's inability to reliably distinguish between what seems to be and what; however, this shared theme of "uncertain vision" is treated somewhat differently in Othello than it is in Oedipus the King. Namely, first of all the reason behind the "uncertain visions" and the tragedy that ensue from one another is different in the two plays. In Oedipus it is the unavoidable clutches of destiny that cause the protagonists not to see what is going on behind their backs. In Othello however the reason both for the tragedy and the "uncertain vision" has a name, Iago. .
             The second most important reason as to why the uncertainty is treated differently is the fact that Othello due to his temper might be able to see what is happening, but his "hot blood" does not let him do so. Oedipus on the other hand is being utterly objective and is doing all that he can to bring the investigation to an end even though it may have disastrous consequences for him. In other words Othello acts before investigating the issue just a little further and will not listen to reason. .
             Oedipus on the other hand is begged both by Jocasta and the shepherd not continue investigating and avoid tragedy but he refuses. This of course raises one of the most important questions regarding the two plays: are Othello and Oedipus different and to what extent? They are both facing situations that are devolving behind their backs and are unavoidably leading to tragedy. However, one of them refuses to see some obvious signs that could avoid the tragedy while the other keeps investigating signs that clearly indicate that a tragedy will happen. Therefore the most basic question regarding this issue is: whether the difference in character or situation that makes the two "uncertain visions" different?.
             If ever a tragedy was described that had no other culprit but the destiny or the will of gods, than that is the story of Oedipus.


Essays Related to Destiny in Othello and Oedipus the King

1. Othello as Tragic Hero

In the play Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, Oedipus was a very great example of a tragic hero. ... (Sophocles 873-875) A second way in which Oedipus showed goodness was through his ways as king. ... By this, the reader can see how much he worries and cares about the city more then your average king might do which helped me as the reader feel compassion towards him. ... This was first shown in the beginning of the story when he cursed himself unknowingly because he was treating himself as a god or as if he felt above all because he was the king. ... My destiny, my dark power, what a leap you made...

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2. Shakespeare and the Tragedy: Hamlet and Othello

To the Greeks, fate would always overpower will and in the end the characters would surrender to their destinies. These philosophies can be seen in tragedies such as Sophocles' Oedipus Rex where it would be the hero's destiny to be overcome and brought down by his own internal flaws. ... Despite this fact there is always one major theme which appears too occur in all tragedies Shakespearean or otherwise; that is there exists a constant struggle for control between the forces of destiny and free will which brings about the hero's destruction. ... Two of Shakespeare's mo...

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3. Hamlet

Othello stabs himself, Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, Brutis falls on his sword, and like them Hamlet dies by getting cut with a poison tipped sword. ... If every action is controlled by a hero's destiny, then the hero's death can't be avoided, and in a tragedy the sad part is that it could. ... In Oedipus Rex, the proud yet morally blind king plucks out his eyes, and has to spend his remaining days as a wandering, sightless beggar, guided at every painful step by his daughter, Antigone. ... In Othello, Othello had one fatal flaw, he was too great. Othello ...

  • Word Count: 1033
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4. Tragedy - Hamlet

Othello stabs himself, Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, Brutis falls on his sword, and like them Hamlet dies by getting cut with a poison tipped sword. ... If every action is controlled by a hero's destiny, then the hero's death can't be avoided, and in a tragedy the sad part is that it could. ... In Oedipus Rex, the proud yet morally blind king plucks out his eyes, and has to spend his remaining days as a wandering, sightless beggar, guided at every painful step by his daughter, Antigone. ... In Othello, Othello had one fatal flaw, he was too great. Othello ...

  • Word Count: 1033
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

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