A Comparison of Tragedy in Hamlet, The Book of Job, and Oedipus Rex Ess

Interpretations of Tragedy in small town, The Book of Job, and Oedipus Rex For ages, man has pondered upon the roots of destiny. Is the outcome of a mans life determined by military personnel qualities and failings, the meddling of a comprehend power, or simple indicate? Shakespeares small town made the argument that tragedy is caused by human folly. The idea that divine intervention is at the root of human suffering is put forth in the Book of Job. In Sophocles Oedipus Rex, fate is given as the root of mans suffering. Three divergent perspectives on the origins of calamity outlive within the tragedies Hamlet, Job, and Oedipus Rex. Shakespeares Hamlet enforced the idea that Human suffering is a result of human faults. Hamlet possesses extreme indecisiveness, but at times exhibits formidable recklessness. Both contribute to his ultimate destruction. The majority of the play consisted of Hamlet deciding when, where, and how to kill Claudius, the murderer of his fathe r. When Claudius is alone praying, Hamlet had the perfect chance to avenge his polish off father, but he decided to postpone the act. Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. / When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage (Hamlet III.iii.88-89). If Hamlet had simply slew Claudius at that juncture, the situation would have never complicated the story would have been over. Such innocents as Hamlets mother, Polonius, Laertes, and Ophelia would have never met tragic ends. Although Hamlet possessed the fault of indecisiveness, at times, he exhibited a recklessness that led to suffering. When Hamlet was in his mothers room he heard a rustling place a tapestry that he presumed was Claudius. He decided to kill the man behind the curtain without checking to make sure th... ... misfortune is a matter of fate that cannot be changed by any mortal actions. All provide a valuable insight into one of lifes greatest quandaries the root of tragedy. Works Cited Green, Joel B., & Longma n, Tremper (Eds.). Holy record -- The Everday Study Edition. Dallas Word Publishing. 1996. Shakespeare, William. The New Cambridge Shakespeare Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Ed. Philip Edwards. Cambridge Cambridge U P, 1985. Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. An Introduction to Literature, 11th ed. Eds. Sylvan Barnet, et al. New York Longman, 1997. Works Consulted Fox, Robin Lane. The Unauthorized Version Truth and Fiction in the Bible. New York Vintage, 1991. G. K. Chesterton, Introduction to The Book of Job, The Hebrew Bible In Literary Criticism, Ed. and Comp. Alex Preminger and Edward L. Greenstein, (New York Ungar)