Paper Example on Oedipus: A Tale of Determination, Brilliance, and Pride

Introduction

Oedipus's Determination and Brilliance

The events in the Sophocles' King Oedipus play unravel the journey from the past to the present. Oedipus in the play portrays a great form of intelligence. Determination and brilliance are illustrated when Oedipus solves mysteries such as the riddle of the sphinx, although it leads to a downfall. As a ruler, Oedipus shows that he is smart, caring, and is capable of the position. However, in the play, Oedipus has excessive pride, illustrated with how he defies prophecies of the gods. Dwayne Johnson and Simba from the Lion King are characters that can be compared to Oedipus. While Oedipus portrays different character traits in the play, various fictional and non-fictional characters can be compared to him.

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Oedipus's Excessive Pride and Lack of Discretion

Oedipus kills his father and marries the mother, Jocasta. He also is convinced that the plague in Thebes was a result of his actions. As a sign of regret, Oedipus blinds himself. Oedipus also demonstrates that he lacks discretion when he insists that the information from Creon should be public as opposed to discussing it in private. Despite the stubbornness and arrogance, Oedipus desires and pursues the journey of self-discovery, which uncovers an inevitable truth. In the play, Oedipus demonstrates that he is determined and has an intellectual passion.

Comparison to Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson, famously known as 'The Rock', portrays similar as well as different character traits compared to that of Oedipus. Dwayne Johnson who is an actor demonstrates in his plays that he rarely fears anything and can undertake any circumstances that arise. In movies such as fast and furious, the character through his actions illustrates that he can put more effort and is solely focused on achieving the set objectives. Unlike Oedipus, Dwayne, in his plays, does not give up easily. Oedipus in the play after discovering that he married his mother, is full of regret and despairs to the point where he blinds himself. Dwayne, in a recent movie, Hobbs, and Shaw, illustrates that challenges and obstacles are a great motivator to come up with new solutions and change the usual way of undertaking problems instead of giving up.

Although Oedipus' character shows that he had intentions of killing Laius, for most of the play, he illustrates through his actions that he had good intentions. Dwayne Johnson also in his movies, rarely plays the villain role. In his movies, he portrays that he has good motives except towards an enemy who is a nuisance and causes disturbances among people. In his plays, he demonstrates that he can come up with solutions that will benefit the greater public.

Comparison to Simba from The Lion King

Simba in the Lion King is a fictional character who also has similar and comparable traits to both Oedipus and Dwayne Johnson. Simba portrays a sign of despair that is not different from that of Oedipus. He loses hope when Mufasa, his father, is killed in a wild beast stampede and is informed that he is responsible for the death. As a result of the death, he is filled with guilt and despair such that he abandons the kingdom and flees. It is similar to Oedipus's case where he feels guilty of killing the father and marrying the mother, and as a result, stabs the eyes and blinds himself.

Throughout the play, Oedipus had a series of choices, but his arrogant nature makes him make the wrong decisions, which lead to a downfall. Simba also had various choices apart from fleeing but makes the wrong decision and makes the animals of his kingdom suffer from hunger. Unlike Oedipus who does not listen to the prophecies of the gods, Simba has an ear for his friends and enemies, and even believes and reacts to information. Simba before fleeing was taught to be fearless, watchful and ready for any danger to prove that he is a mighty king. This trait is similar to Dwayne's especially in his action movies where he is not usually afraid and is confident that he could knock out anyone. Both Simba and Dwayne in their plays illustrate that they are loyal to their friends and would defend them.