There is no debate of which is the greatest tragedy
between Oedipus Rex and King Lear well, at least in my opinion. The
tragedy of Oedipus is the most horrific story I have ever read. Not only does the
gruesome and twisted story line make it the greater tragedy, but I felt more interested
in this story than I was while reading King Lear. I made more of a connection
to Oedipus than King Lear because while I was reading the Tragedy of Oedipus
Rex, I actually felt bad for him, which never happens when I read stories.
King Lear
is the Tragedy of an old man who lost his sanity from the realization that he
was never truly loved by his daughters. Yes, it is a tragic story but I feel
that the outcome of this play was due to miscommunication and bad timing. Lear
is an irrational thinker; he makes rash decisions such as banishing Cordelia,
the only daughter that actually respected him. “Here I disclaim all my paternal
care, propinquity, and property of blood, and as a stranger to my heart and me
hold thee from this forever” (Shakespeare 114-117). He banished her simply
because she could not put her Love for him into words. Lear took this as an
insult and without thinking, he just disowned her. As the plot progresses, Lear
realizes what he has done was wrong but he was too proud to take back his
actions. I believe that pride was Lear’s downfall and because of that I think
he deserved everything that happened to him. If he just swallowed his pride he
would have been able to repair the deteriorating relationship he had with his
daughters.
Oedipus Rex
gives the meaning to the word “tragedy.” Oedipus’ entire life was a lie. I say
this because ever since he was born, he was brought up on lies and people
hiding the truth from him. He was destined for tragedy and he was the only one
that did not know about it. My main reason for Oedipus Rex being more
tragic than King Lear is because Oedipus could not change his fate, but
King Lear could have. When Oedipus realizes he has fulfilled his destiny by
killing his father, sleeping with his mother and having children from this unnatural
relationship, he gauges out his eyes. “Alas, alas. It’s all come out so
clearly. Light, let me see the last of you now, surrounded by those I ought to
avoid-born from them, living with them, killing them” (Sophocles 1205-1208).
Right when the Shepard tells Oedipus the truth, it is so disturbing that he
must gauge out his eyes for he cannot endure seeing any more horror in his
life.
I cannot feel anything but sympathy towards Oedipus,
he was an innocent man that was condemned by his fate; that’s why I think that Oedipus
Rex is not only a greater tragedy than King Lear, but the greatest
tragedy of all.
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