Theme Between The Kite Runner And Oedipus Rex

Over the centuries, the concept of fate is constantly being changed to adapt to our current way of living. In modern times the concept of fate is usually connected to the themes of love and romance. However the ancient Greeks recognized fate as an inescapable reality that shaped their lives. The famous playwright, Sophocles, adopts the idea of fate in his plays to control the character’s actions. In both plays, “Oedipus the King” and “Antigone”, the writer uses the concept of fate to show human’s inability to conquer the will of the gods.

It is amazing how two literary works from different time periods and different cultures can portray the same theme. A major theme in both The Kite Runner and Oedipus Rex is the limits of free will. The way Khaled Hosseini portrays the theme in The Kite runner is the way that the majority of Pashtuns treat the Hazaras, they are either treated as objects that people can do whatever they want with, they are treated as second class citizens or they are servants to the Pashtuns. In Oedipus Rex, the way that the theme is portrayed is that Oedipus is bound to a prophecy that he heard when he was a child.

“Who am I?” This has become the essential question asked in each literary work The Kite Runner and Oedipus Rex. Striving to find who they are the characters, Oedipus and Amir, try to figure out what they have become through their separate journeys. Most of their conclusions rely on the fact that both characters continue to look back into their past. The constant theme in both the novel and the tragedy is continuously looking into the past. Both characters constantly look at the past in ways such as their relationship with their father, the wrong choices they have made, and the secrets that lie in the family.

Fate is defined as the development of events beyond a person’s control. In “Oedipus the King,” Sophocles, tells us about a tragic hero (Oedipus) in which his life is predetermined by fate, because he is deprived of free will. The first act of fate on Oedipus was him being saved by a shepherd when his parents (Queen Jocasta and King Laius) left him in the mountains to die, he then met and killed his father without knowing who he was, and last, he married Queen Jocasta, later realizing that she was his mother. Every action that Oedipus took to prevent his fate, would soon be the ultimate downfall, not only for himself, but for his family and the people of Thebes.

What similarities could current fiction novels possibly have with old Greek drama? Greek dramas and current day novels have more in common than anyone realizes. For example, there are many similarities between Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex and Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. These similarities show how writing and entertainment have not completely changed despite how long it has been. One of the most important similarities is the theme. This essay will explore these two works by looking into the similar themes, how the themes are treated, and the importance of similar themes.

Throughout the vast history of literature, various concepts have come and gone. The idea of fate or fatalism has been a concept that has survived the test of time. Numerous characters have succumbed to the power of fate and the character of Oedipus from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King is a prime example of the vast power of fate within literature. Sophocles effectively depicts the wrath of fate as he portrays how Oedipus fell victim to fate and his efforts to disregard fate were futile. Once again fate manages to triumph and displays no character whether king or slave can avoid its gaze.

The ancient Greeks possessed a specific view of fate: a reality that shaped and determined human life. Fate was an unstoppable force, operated by the will of the gods. The actions of characters throughout Greek tragedies ultimately brought about their inevitable fates. Oedipus the King and Antigone tell of the downfalls of two characters due to their fates, regarding Oedipus’ avoidance and Antigone’s acceptance of destiny.

Oedipus’ fate is foretold by the gods and he tries quite desperately to escape said fate whereas Amir’s fate is entirely determined by him. In Oedipus Rex, the author facilitates a sense of powerless in humankind via making Oedipus’ downfall inexorable. Despite Oedipus’ disempowerment he still attempts to redeem himself disregarding the fact that his fate was foretold by

The fate of many happens in conjunction with their decisions in different events. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles do not fail to describe the dreadful hardships of life through difficult decision-making and grim situations. Although written more than two millenniums apart, both authors manage to entwine the them regarding fate and, how it causes change in the character’s state of mind along with personality. The author showcases the theme of fate in the contrasting personality shifts of the main protagonists, their similar use of fate to escape their issues, also including their distinct decisions that alter their destiny.

The concept of free will versus a predetermined fate has been debated for centuries, with people supporting both sides. This issue is also prevalent within both The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. The main characters in the books, Amir and Oedipus, have trouble accepting the truth and possess the tendency to run from reality. Both characters also have to deal with the burden of guilt and the consequences of their actions. Although the authors integrated common themes within their works, their angles differ. Oedipus Rex includes a more literal sense of fate, including a prophecy, whereas The Kite Runner included a more abstract version of the meaning of fate. Hosseini’s and Sophocles’ books both include a sin committed by its main characters, their way of dealing with their wrongdoings, and ultimately how fate played a large role in the events of each novel. Both works have the common themes of the inevitability of fate and the consequences of sin.

Fate is defined as the development of events beyond a person’s control. A person’s predetermined course of events better yet. In Sophocles’s Oedipus the King, fate is primary theme in the play. The influence of fate goes beyond the play but how Greeks viewed fate entirely. Also, Oedipus somewhat represented the Athenian political system and the people of Athens by his leadership. And lastly, having the play unfold, one is able to sympathize with Oedipus and strike pity and fear rather than disgust from his sins.

Fate vs. free will: the force behind the undoings. The authors, William Shakespeare and Sophocles of Oedipus Rex and The Tragedy of Macbeth, present the fight between fate and free will when the protagonist face challenges that are set before them, and challenges that have already been predetermined before acknowledgement. Despite the victories both Macbeth and Oedipus grasped in their hands, prophecies influence one to commit unwanted deeds, the choice of free will or fate, and allows one’s culture and era to affect the choices of both tragic heros.

In Sophocles’ Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, the puzzle of fate versus free will is put to the test as fate and free battle against one another throughout the entire play, this ultimately determines that fate is stronger than free will. The constant question of which is in control is slowly answered throughout the play as the truth is uncovered. The puzzle of fate and free will is solved throughout the play as the characters make decisions based on the fates that have been predicted for them. Fate and free will tug at each other for precedence as the characters are affected by previous doings of their parents, as characters try to overcome and change their fates, as the characters make impulsive free will decisions that will cause their fates

Throughout history people try have tried to change the outcome of a situation by running away or avoiding their problems. Oedipus is no different, but by trying to run away from his problems, he only fulfills his destiny. even more. Nobodies fate it Everyone has an inescapable fate, a lesson taught by from Oedipus Rex. The play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is about fate and reveals that it cannot be altered or avoided.

Although The Kite Runner and Oedipus Rex differ from the style in which they were written and by the authors who wrote them what they do share are common themes. Both the play and the book share two major subject matters. Guilt is one theme that is seen constantly between Amir dealing with it in The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini and Oedipus and Jocasta’s struggle with it in Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles. Another theme found in both texts was strained family dynamics which shows readers a different look on family. The themes in the book and the play, although they are portrayed differently, both deal with family relationships, guilt and why it is significant from the