Themes In Oedipus Rex Vs. The Kite Runner

Based on Jevons judgment, the interpretation of the theme by Bowra and Creon is correct: It is an internal, personal defeat of mastery/pride/hubris within Oedipus himself, and the acquisition of the virture of modesty or humility before the

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.

Even as literature has multiple genres, themes can still parallel each other regardless of appearing in two altogether varying works very different authors of distinct separate time frames conceive and write. Even as The Kite Runner is a work of historical fiction and Oedipus Rex develops a well known and praisable Greek tragedy, a theme of betrayal places itself throughout both. Literature demonstrates that learning moral is genuine through any method. In both pieces of literature, betrayal is a shared and understood theme throughout, the discourse and contemplations of each character magnifies the author’s treatment of the theme, and the author’s treatment is critical on the grounds that it conveys the general tone for the two pieces.

Therefore, alternative themes which suggests throughout the course of the play are topics that happen to revolve around the subject of taboo such as incest and patricide which happen to be extremely controversial in societies old and new. Also, prophecy is paramount from start to finish throughout the story and Oedipus attempts to rebel against his own fate. However, the gods earlier predetermine his outcome. Knox writes:

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.

    Oedipus and Odysseus are two of many widely recognized characters known for their outstanding, and, at times, tragic stories. The Odyssey, by Homer, is an Epic poem about the great journey of Odysseus and his perilous journey home to Ithaca. Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, is a Greek play about Oedipus’ self-discovery and fulfillment of a prophecy in which he hopes to avoid. While the stories share many similarities and qualities, they also reveal significant differences in their journeys and outcome.

A theme that I feel is strongly laced between these pieces are guilt and shame. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus and Jocasta were overwhelmed with guilt and shame for breaking the basic rules of moral truths. The disapproval against incest and killing others, especially their own blood relative. The pain is enough to make Jocasta commit suicide and make Oedipus blind

Starting off with The Kite Runner, there are more clues of fate than those in Oedipus Rex’s story. For example, the simple kites in the story represent fate and prophecy pointing out themes from the beginning. Amir and Hassan had always been best friends, like brothers. They played together they had

According to a poll taken by The Washington Times, 52% of Americans believe in fate. (Harper 1). Many people trust in destiny because it is a way to believe that when they're brought upon an arduous decision, there result is already destined to happen whether they made the right or wrong choice. In the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles they both challenge their characters through unfavorable decisions that in the end are already planned out by fate. The prevalent theme of fate in Oedipus Rex and The Kite Runner expresses a quote said by Tony Robbins, “ It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped”(Anderson 1).This quote can ultimately explain by which the characters change from beginning to end due to their fate, how they dealt with their understanding of their fate, and the possible result by which their fate didn’t occur.

The similarities between two unrelated books can be fascinating, that is the case of The Kite Runner, a novel by Khaled Hosseini, and Oedipus Rex, a play by Sophocles. The Kite Runner follows the journey of Amir, an Afghan boy, as he goes through the ups and downs of his life. Amir grows up with his servant’s son Hasan and an incredible friendship blossoms between the two boys. As the years go by, society puts all sorts of barriers between them, including ethnicity, religion, and literacy. Amir’s life completely changes when he witnesses the district’s bullies attack Hassan but flees instead of standing up for his friend. The guilt, resulting from his action causes their friendship to deteriorate and in the end, Amir manages to get rid of Hassan. Oedipus Rex likewise is a story of self-discovery, sins and, redemption. Set in the Ancient Greek Era, this powerful play tells the story of a King who, unintentionally, kills his mother and weds his mother. The plot follows his reaction as he discovers the horrible truth. Despite having different scenarios and settings, the books have some common themes, notably: guilt and redemption.

One does not compare the similarities of a theme to life, or other works due to being to interested by the purpose. Comparisons have their own each little bit of purposes between the similars and the differences. The theme that is present in Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles and The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini written years apart still represent a common theme of running from your past can have consequences. The themes do  have more slight different aspects to them then similar, though they have the identical purpose. The significance of the way the authors chose to write the theme the way they did, all comes from the purpose behind it.  The two distinct stories takes the same theme but transform  it in different methods to conduct a certain purpose  to still perform to a specific story.  Not solely did  Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles, appear  incompatible with the way the theme was used, the importance behind it is portrayed different as  well comparing to The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. This theme speaks to the human behavior in both pieces, after a tragedy, or sin, or horrible action takes place.  The theme of the two works depend on the type of theme, the treatment of the theme, and the significance of the treatment of the theme.

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.

From a tragic Greek play to a novel with a heartbreaking betrayal, the play Oedipus Rex and the novel The Kite Runner may be seen unrelated, but when taken a closer look they are found to share more than expected. Apart from both having well constructed and heart rendering characters both the play and the novel share one or more well treated major themes. Sophocles and Khaled Hosseini both chose to incorporate the theme self-destruction in their work. This theme is well represented in the play and in the novel. In both Khaled Hosseini’s novel, The Kite Runner, and Sophocles’s play, Oedipus Rex, readers are introduced to a theme in which both authors treat the theme as their top priority, both use the theme to intrigue and attract readers, and both truly commit to exploiting the theme to the very end.

The Greeks were known for their literature, such as The Odyssey and Homer’s Iliad. However, one of the most recognizable plays would most likely be Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles. In this play, Sophocles uses light, dark, sight, and blindness as symbolism throughout the play. However, these symbols are used to convey major themes and dramatic irony as well. In Oedipus Rex, the themes of light and dark as well as sight and blindness are used to convey major themes and dramatic irony by implicitly showing the reader that tragic events are taking course, Oedipus’s struggle between knowledge and ignorance, or his reluctance to see what is around him.