A Comparison of Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Dolls H

Individual Responsibility in Oedipus Rex and A Dolls House In Sophocles Oedipus Rex and Ibsens A Dolls House, the main characters - Nora and Oedipus, are some(prenominal) constructed to illustrate flaws in society. Oedipus psychological organic evolution sees him begin as an all-powerful, just king, who seemingly through no fault of his own murders his father and marries his mother. His evolution ends with his self-blinding, an action which Sophocles uses to establish the true freedom of the individual before heaven-sent authority. In A Dolls House, the development of Nora Helmer leads her from believing that she is happily married to realizing that she is a mere possession for her husbands entertainment. By her decision at the end of the mold to leave her family and explore her own self-identity, Ibsen is insinuating that concern for oneself is far from selfish it is in fact a supreme duty. Both plays introduced new waves of thought into society, and prove that freedom and ju stice are essentially matters of individual decision and responsibility.1 poof Oedipus is introduced in Oedipus Rex as the charming, courageous, and all powerful king of Thebes. In the crack sequence of the play, Oedipus is approached by his citizens, led by a priest, who asks him to find the outset of the plague which is devastating their city. He praises Oedipus as King of the land, our greatest power,ln. 15 and accordingly goes on to describe the dire situation the townspeople find themselves in, which includes abortive babies and pestilence. Sophocles uses this conversation between Oedipus and the priest to establish Oedipus grandeur, as can be seen in by the Priests plea to Oedipus Now we pray to you. You cannot equal the gods, your chi... ...g. 138 5 Knox, Bernard. Sophocles - The Three Theban Plays. Pg. 139 6 Ibid. pg. 138 7 ln. 269-279 8 ln. 469-474 9 Salome, Lou. Ibsens Heroines 10 Ibsen, Henrik. A Dolls House. Pg. 30 11 Salome, Lou. Ibsens Heroines. Pg. 48 12 Ibsen, Henrik. A Dolls House. Pg. 54 13 Salome, Lou. Ibsens Heroines. Pg. 48 14 Ibid. Pg. XV 15 Ibid. Pg. 63 16 Ibsen, Henrik. A Dolls House - Pg. XVI 17 ln. 1395-1405 18 MacFarlane, James. Ibsen and Meaning - Studies, Essays, and Prefaces. Pg. 248 19 Ibsen, Henrik. A Dolls House Pg. 99 20 Winnington Ingram, R.P. Fate in Sophocles. Pg. 134 21 Knox, Bernard. Sophocles - The Three Theban Plays. Pg. 149 22 ln. 1467-71 23 MacFarlane, James. Ibsen and Meaning - Studies, Essays, and Prefaces. Pg. 245 24 Ibid. Pg. 250 25 Ibid. Pg. 250