Role of Fatein Sophocles’Oedipus Rexand Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Abstract

This dissertation basically makes a comparative study of Sophoeles'Oedipus Rexand Shakespeare'sMacbethin terms ofthe concept of fatalism. Tragic consequences thatthe protagonists of both plays confront are the result of their fate. Both plays are concerned with the theme of fate, inevitability, and the characters are helpless in front of their fate. TheprotagonistsofOedipus RexandMacbethare victimized by fate.These plays have the story of thenoblemen who seek knowledge and power that in the end destroy them. Theiractions aremeasured andprophesied bytheir fate. Oedipus' fate compelshim to discover the truth andMacbeth'sfate order him to evoke his ambition. Oedipus tries to avoid the possibility of killing his father and marrying his mother, but he cannot. Similarly, Macbeth also tries to escape his ambitions but he also cannot because of the prophecies of the tree witches. Thus,protagonists' wisdom,power and confidence can'thelp themto escape theirfate. This thesis makes through study of the influence of Greek themes offate and inevitability in Shakespeare'sMacbethwhich demonstration the universality of Greek themes in European experience.