Oedipus Rex
9) Write down at least three similarities and three differences between these two plays.
Both King Lear and Oedipus Rex have similarities as well as differences.
There are many ways in which the two plays can be linked however there are also
comparisons between the plays as a whole, the characters, themes and imagery.
King Lear and Oedipus Rex are both tragedies which involve a tragic ending for both
protagonists Lear and Oedipus. Lear dies at the end showing remorse for disowning Cordelia
who truly loved him and Oedipus pokes out his eyes after realising what has happened and
what he has done. He also leaves Thebes and is portrayed to be guilty and hating his life.
Therefore he pokes out his eyes leaving him to “walk through a cloud of darkness and it will
last forever”. This shows how remorseful he is feeling which is also present in King Lear as
Lear realises the mistake he committed by disowning Cordelia. As he holds her he points to
her as if saying she is alive which shows he wants her to be alive.
King Lear and Oedipus Rex also contain the mutual theme of blindness which is both
metaphorical and physical. The protagonists of the story are metaphorically blind not seeing
what is happening to them, which proves them to be gullible and vulnerable.
The theme of blindness to the truth is represented in both plays. Just how King Lear is
blinded by Goneril and Regan’s fake statement of their love for him, Oedipus is also blinded,
however he is unwilling to accept the true statements. This shows a difference in both
protagonists because Oedipus is given the true statements however he does not believe
them, whilst Lear is given false statements of love which he fails to discover.
King Lear and Oedipus Rex also reflect the idea of guilt and present their circumstances for
the lack of belief.
Another similarity between the two plays is the theme families and relationships. It is clear
in the plays how there are no real relationships and true love except for the love that
Cordelia has for her father. Oedipus Rex is dominated by false relations such as Jocasta and
Oedipus. They had a relation of marriage however really it was false due to the fact that he
is her son. Also the relation of Polybus and Merope to Oedipus is fake, and he believes they
were his real parents all along. A difference in the family ties and relationships of King Lear
to Oedipus Rex is that Lear is presented with a real relation – the love that Cordelia has for
him yet he is too blind to see it. This reiterates the protagonists, such as Lears’ blindness
through the play.