Introduction
In world literature, many stories include tragedy as a driver of change that people can either accept or reject. The process and result of successfully accepting difficulties and dealing with problems can be defined as resilience. How people cope with stress shows their capacity for resilience. This paper analyzes which of the two characters, Hamlet or Oedipus, has greater resilience, focusing on their context, emotions, and behavior. Although Hamlet and Oedipus have complex characters, Hamlet seems more resilient because he can think critically and act consciously, while Oedipus is full of anger and aggression.
Brief Review of Tragedies in Hamlet and Oedipus Rex
The tragedies Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and Hamlet by Shakespeare are filled with tragic events and revelations. In “Hamlet,” the protagonist learns that his uncle deliberately killed his father, Claudius, and married his mother, Gertrude. Hamlet is the son of the last king and the nephew of the current ruler (Shakespeare 15). Early in the play, readers learn that he defeated the Norwegians, for which the country gained some land. The image of Hamlet is complex and full of contradictions.
Hamlet is obsessed with the search for truth. In order to find out the cause of his father’s death, he is ready for anything: he persuades the actors to play a scene where the protagonist can trace Claudius’s reaction. Hamlet boldly goes to meet his father’s ghost at night, and after hearing from his mouth that he is the culprit of the king’s death, he continues to search for the truth. To do this, the protagonist pretends to be crazy to lull Claudius’ vigilance. With his “madness,” he repels Ophelia’s loving heart and mistakenly kills her father. Events develop very rapidly, but this in no way violates the psychological integrity of the portrait of each Shakespearean character. Hamlet goes all the way to the end in search of the truth.
In “Oedipus Rex,” the protagonist is caught up in a prophecy that comes true after he kills his father, Laius, and marries his mother, Jocasta. Both stories are about kings who face serious problems, which allows us to compare and follow their reactions. Oedipus, the protagonist of Sophocles’ play, is a great king of Thebes with ideal character traits, but he violates moral laws, which makes him a tragic hero.
Behaviors, Emotions, and Actions of Oedipus and Hamlet
In Shakespeare’s story, Hamlet faces severe trauma when his father dies and when his mother remarries his uncle. At first, Hamlet is disappointed and feels fear for his fate and family, which almost drives him to suicide (Shakespeare, 25). Hamlet enrolls at the Wittenberg School to gain knowledge and revenge, indicating that he has survived a tragic event.
Fear and hatred are replaced by reflection and planning, reinforced by religious conviction: “The Eternal has not corrected his canon against suicide” (Shakespeare, 26). Hamlet returns more seriously when he leaves Denmark and moves to England for a time. This demonstrates his strength of will and fortitude, which allowed him to accept his emotions and situation.
In Sophocles’ drama, Oedipus, king of Thebes, faces tragic events that he cannot control or mitigate and which cause him much suffering. The murder of an older man on the road is caused by Oedipus’ intemperate character (Sophocles, 21). The driver only shoved Oedipus, and the latter, out of control, struck him back. Oedipus can feel deeply because the pain caused by the crime is worse than death. King Oedipus severely punishes himself for his mistakes and sins, even though they were not intentional.
Nevertheless, in Sophocles’ tragedy, the King of Thebes shows free will. He dies, but morally, his will triumphs: “You will no longer see all the atrocities I have suffered, the horrors I have committed! So now and for all future times be gloomy!” (Sophocles, 56). Oedipus Rex realizes his sentence and blinds himself.
Despite the pain and insult, Hamlet can step back and consider the situation to understand better how to proceed. This shows that Hamlet is patient, perfectly calm, and in control of his emotions. He also has a high level of flexibility, as the main character easily adapts to situations that arise. Hamlet understands that he must punish evil. However, for him, evil is not limited to the crime of Claudius, whom he eventually punishes; evil spreads throughout the world. This inner struggle leads him to consider the futility of existence and the possibility of suicide.
In addition, the fact that Hamlet learned of his tragedy earlier than Oedipus plays an important role. Hamlet has more time to think about his revenge actions, whereas Oedipus realizes this at the end of the narrative. In turn, Jocasta states: “Fear? What does man have to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is unknown. It is better to live as it is, from day to day” (Sophocles, 48).
Oedipus could not listen to her arguments because his anger did not allow him to think about and assess the situation more deeply. On the one hand, he states: “How terrible can it be to know the truth when there is no help in the truth” (Sophocles, 62). On the other hand, he is willing to learn the truth and be punished for his actions, which shows his high morals and strong spirit. Therefore, this great leader acts brutally, which is due to both his personality and his difficult path in life.
Speaking of the resilience of Oedipus and Hamlet, it should be noted that neither fully accepts their traumas. The betrayal of his uncle and the prophecy that came true are severe trials that turn one’s life upside down. Both main characters express strong emotions, but their reactions differ depending on their personalities. Hamlet’s personality is united by depression, virtuosity, and some degree of fatalism (Mahady 7). On the other hand, Oedipus is impulsive, arrogant, and compassionate, making him a true leader.
Accordingly, their response to critical trauma depends on their personalities. Oedipus is equipped with the tools to mitigate and overcome problems because he can reflect on them, but he is prone to self-destruction and impulsiveness and lacks self-awareness. Although his mother, Jocasta, warns him, “Listen to me, I beg you. Do not do this,” Oedipus ignores her (Sophocles, 47). These two cases prove that the capacity for self-control plays a key role in overcoming trauma and maintaining vitality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Shakespeare’s Hamlet show two ways of coping with severe stress and showing resilience. Hamlet seems more resilient than the violent, arrogant, and aggressive Oedipus because of his reasonableness. Both characters are truth-seekers and tragic heroes, making their stories meaningful for readers to learn about the experiences of Oedipus and Hamlet and to develop their unique responses to life’s challenges.
Works Cited
Mahady, Jacob. A Psychoanalytic Approach to Paranoia in Select Pieces of Literature. Diss. San Francisco State University, 2022.
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. PHI Learning, 2017.
Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Digireads.com Publishing, 2016.