Oedipus Othello and A Dolls House: represent individuals struggling to cope with the truth
William Shakespeare and Sophocles are playwrights that illustrate theirkeen understanding of human behavior. In the plays Oedipus the King andOthello, we observe man's inability to reliably distinguish between whatseems to be and what actually is. Additionally, we are shown how differentindividuals handle the truth in various circumstances. Some choose toignore the truth while others use truth as weapons to get what they want,as we see in A Doll's House. These plays illustrate how the truth is Oedipus and Othello incorrectly assess their circumstances and, as aresult, make bad decisions. They misjudge people and situations becausethey allow themselves to be influenced by their emotions. Their decisionsultimately lead to their demise. However while both men share a lack ofinsight, the theme of their inability to see the truth are treated In Oedipus the King, we are introduced to the search for truth from thebeginning of the play. Oedipus desires to bring an end to the sufferingthat the plague has caused Thebes. Oedipus begins with good intentions butthose intentions are also fueled with Oedipus' desire to solve the riddle
He cannot cope with what fatethrows his way and, as a result, resorts to tactless measures to hold on towhat he feels is his last hope. Iago's motivations stem from jealousy. This statement indicates thatIago has heard rumors that Othello has been sleeping with his wife, Emilia. While they have the truth before them,they cannot see past their own versions of reality. Oedipus' tragedy is all the more great because he refuses to accept thefacts. In a way, he is unable to accept thetruth much like Oedipus and Othello are. WhileCassio is making obscene remarks and gestures about a prostitute heencountered, Othello believes that he is speaking of his time withDesdemona. This statement demonstrates how Krogstad will usewhatever he can to get what he wants. He later mentions this again in the second act in his soliloquy. To further push Hedda, he tells her that the"law cares nothing about motives" (1793). In Othello and A Doll's House, we witness a marriage disintegratebecause of a malevolent character's actions. 389) by hinting that Cassio is "toofamiliar" (I. He is also very aware of what heis doing and, like Iago, plans on using what he knows to his advantage. For instance,while he witnesses Iago's alleged conversation with Cassio about hisinvolvement with Desdemona, he does not actually hear a word of it. When she tries to convince him that she has no power, hetells her that it is because she does not have the will to speak up for himbut that he has "the means to compel" (Ibsen 1790) her.
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