4/25/13
Oedipus the king is a representative of ancient Greek drama by Sophocles. The Latin title of the play is Oedipus Rex. Though produced as the second play in the three sequences of Theban plays by Sophocles, it finds its way at the top of the sequence as a result of internal chronology. The next play in the sequence is Oedipus at colonus and finally Antigone. The play is an excellent example of Greek tragic plays (Bloom, 51). Waiting for Godot is a play by Samuel Beckett, an Irish who won a noble prize in 1969. The play was produced in the year 1952. It is a representation of experimentation with a new type of drama popularly known as theatre of absurd. This play was classified in this category by Martin Esslin. The play is about
In the first day, nothing is achieved since Godot does not appear and the same case applies in the second day and the play consequently the end of the play (Batty et al, 45). Characters in ancient Greek Drama as explored by Oedipus the King, represent real human beings subjected to real actions. They are real characters of flesh and blood. The characters hold a social position in the society. Tragic characters are to be blamed for the tragedy that befalls them since they facilitate their misfortunes. For example king Oedipus is the one to blame for the misfortunes that he faces. Contrary to this, characters as explored by Beckett in his play waiting for Godot in relation to absurdist plays are viewed as disillusioned. The characters act as puppets since they do not possess self control but are controlled by other characters in the play. For example, Pozzo is in control of his slave Lucky and goes to an extent of tethering him. Dialogue as presented by theatre of absurd is characterized by incoherent utterances from the characters (Rehm, 24). Beckett through the play waiting for Godot effects how human beings are in the quest of life’s meaning. This shows the reactions of human beings to the struggles of life and when there is lack of solution they contemplate suicide. It is a representation of mans efforts to make life better and the disappointments he faces. Oedipus the King by Sophocles explores the themes of