Table of Contents
Protagonists, Oedipus of Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” and Odysseus of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” endure various hardships and exhibit certain qualities that allow us to classify these men as heroes. Oedipus is the of a tragedy and Odysseus of an epic.
Despite being different genres and having drastically different outcomes, both share a plethora of similarities. The Gods play a significant role in the destiny of both the tragic hero and epic hero, who also exhibit hubris throughout.
Both heroes share many positive traits that help them throughout their journey, however, they also share one negative trait that hinders their progress: hubris. Hubris is arrogance and excessive pride. This trait causes both protagonists to lose sight of their goals. An example of hubris is when Oedipus is looking for the murderer of King Laius.
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Oedipus
Oedipus states “And I pray solemnly that the slayer, whoever he be, whether his hidden guilt is lonely or has partners, may he wear his unblessed life out evilly, as he is evil. And for myself I pray…he should become an inmate of my house; I may suffer the same things which I have just called down upon the others.” (Sophocles 118). Oedipus later must pay for his hubris.
The epic hero Odysseus also exhibits hubris numerous times throughout his voyage. An example of this is where Odysseus and his men were held in the Cyclops’s lair for food. Odysseus and some of his men were able to blind the Cyclops and lucky enough to escape.
Oedipus then taunts the cyclops saying “Cyclops! So, he was not such a weakling after all, the man whose friends you meant to overpower and eat in your hollow cave! And your crimes were bound to catch up with you, you brute, who did not shrink from devouring your guest. Now Zeus and all the other gods have paid you.” (Homer 138). The cyclops then threw a rock into the sea which nearly drove the ship back to the land, which would’ve resulted in their recapture.
Both heroes’ journey and destiny are heavily dictated by the gods. Oedipus was destined to fulfill the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his own mother. Upon finding out that he fulfilled the very prophecy he was running away from, Oedipus gouged out his eyes and proclaimed, “It was Apollo, friends, Apollo, that brought this bitter bitterness, my sorrows to completion.”(Line 1329).
Oedipus was never in control, despite thinking so, and all his attempts to avoid the prophecy, he fell short to The God Apollo. The gods also play a significant role in the outcome of Odysseus’ destiny, an example of this is where “ Zeus, unable to resist the pleas of his favorite daughter, Athena, sends the messenger god Hermes to Calypso’s island to order Odysseus released.”
This signifies the power of the Gods, despite Kalypso’s reluctancy to release Odysseus, she must abide with Zeus’ commands. In addition to this, Zeus declares that Odysseus will not be given any company, will sail alone on a raft he builds, and will not have an easy journey home, which further illustrates the power and control celestial beings have over the fate and destiny of the protagonists in both texts and genres.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is transparent that despite being of two separate genres, having different outcomes, both texts “Oedipus the King” and “The Odyssey,” as well as their protagonists share various similarities. Each hero exhibits hubris or excessive pride throughout, which in turn has negative effects. Lastly, the gods play a significant role in the outcome of the tragic hero and epic hero’s destiny.
