“Oedipus” by Sophocles and “Macbeth” by Shakespeare are both tragic plays which, even though they originate in different times, they share a common phenomenon, fate. However, these two plays strongly contrast in that Shakespeare’s protagonist shatters his life attempting to reach his destiny and follow fate; on the other hand, Sophocles presents a man whose life is ruined as he tries to escape his fate.
Both works, “Macbeth” and “Oedipus,” are well-known tragic plays that illicit important world views on matters of life. They are similar in that their plots are centered on one main concept, their protagonist’s fate and reach a resolution as they are fulfilled to the letter. Both characters were foretold directly or indirectly what their destinies were to be and inevitably, they come true. Macbeth was told by three witches that he would become king, and even though it is unclear whether they possessed supernatural powers or invented the story, it became a reality in his mind and a goal to pursue. Likewise, Oedipus was punished by the gods for killing a sacred being, a sphinx, and his fate of killing his father and marrying his mother infallibly materializes in his future even though he tries to run away and even becomes certain he has succeeded in doing so. As a result, he cries out “I am agony…My Destiny, my dark power, what a leap you made” (Sophocles, pg. 238). However, these two works also have major contrasting differences.
In “Oedipus,” Sophocles writes about a man who is hunted down by his cruel fate, and whose life is ruined attempting to run away from it, strongly reflecting the ancient Greek perspective on the matter and the god’s involvement in the lives of humans. This viewpoint intrinsically shows the unbounded power the Greek gods had, being the goddesses of destiny among this group, and demonstrates man’s helpless position. Oedipus’ had achieved greatness in his youth and had earned kingship and the love of his people, but at the least expected moment, a curse set upon him many years before was triggered and over the course of one day, his fate came true and his life was ruined. Fate played a huge role in the lives of humans and as was believed by the ancient Greeks, their lives were simply directed by an arbitrary decision of imperfect gods and goddesses. As was previously mentioned, Oedipus knew his fate shaped by a curse cast on him; however, even when being aware it was not possible to escape that fate, he attempted to run away from it; however, it haunted him. Little by little he puts pieces together and states “I’ve called down a dreadful curse upon myself,” followed by his defense “I simply didn’t know!” (Sophocles, pg. 203). In the end, “what will come will come” as an oracle in “Oedipus the King states, “even if I shroud it all in silence” (Sophocles, pg. 178). Oedipus’ foretold destiny was fulfilled and had devastating results in his life as his wife commits suicide and he extracts his own eyes in shame for his wrongdoing.
Contrastingly, Macbeth is a character whose life was changed by his attempt to pursue his fate; however, with similar detrimental consequences as it came true, his death. His downfall begins as he is foretold his “destiny” by three witches, being there no confirmation on the veracity of their claims when the tell Macbeth he “shalt be king thereafter” (Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 3). As this is prophesized, Macbeth begins to ponder on how this could come to be and the only plausible solution at the time seems to be eliminating the actual king and his heirs. After doing so, he becomes king and his prophecy is fulfilled. However, the situation changes as he is oppressed by outside and inner forces, including his own conscience. Hallucinations such as seeing in his hand a “dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat oppressed brain” (Shakespeare, Act 2 Scene 1) constantly tormented him and his wife, finally ending with her life as she commits suicide. As for Macbeth, his kingship soon comes to an end as he is killed as a result of his tyrannical rule over Scotland. His fate became a reality and he reached the goal he pursued, but the inevitable tragic end also came with it and destroyed his newly acquired life.
In both of these tragic plays, “Macbeth” by Shakespeare and “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles, a catastrophic fate transforms the lives of the protagonists and ultimately becomes a sad reality for both of them whether they flee from it or pursue it. In this way, the authors present fate and destiny as the unavoidable reality every human will have to face, and whether it is a simple statement made by strangers or satirical act of unmerciful gods, it shows life is not in our hands but rests in the power of outside forces.
