EXPLORE A COMMON THEME BETWEEN THESE THREE PLAYS HAMLET, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Oedipus the King - Essay Example

“Hamlet”, one of William Shakespeare’s best plays, speaks of worldly themes like morality, justice and retribution. Most of the scenes in the play are gripping and interesting but one of the scenes that stands out in spectacular brilliance, is the supernatural confrontation of Hamlet with the ghost of his dead father. It is this scene that rips like a whirlwind as it displays Hamlet’s tragic and deepest feelings and emotions. It is through this very scene, that the character of Hamlet is brought to the fore and we come to understand the strong relationship that Hamlet shared with his father.

In acknowledging the ghost of his father Hamlet exclaims - O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? (Act 1- scene- 5in Hamlet’s speech) The conversation shared between Hamlet and his father, not only exposes the deep admiration he has for him but also brings out the differences that they had experienced along the way. Now, these experiences stand as a stumbling block to Hamlet’s ability to act in a decisive manner, when searching for the realistic moral truths in his own world.

Hamlet therefore is continuously faced with conflict when reflecting upon important issues of morality, justice and retribution that keeps tormenting him right through the play. He is the unfortunate son who could not depend on his father for any love and support but even so he loved his father a lot. Hamlet’s deep seated aim is to avenge his father’s death. In the play, ‘Oedipus and the King’ written by Sophocles between C.A.496-406B.C Oedipus is seen cursed at birth due to the sin of his father and it was prophesized, that he would murder his father and get married to his mother.

According to the prophecy of the Oracle of Delphi to Laius, (Euripides, Phoenician Women 20). – “Lord of Thebes, do not sow a furrow of children against the will of the gods; for if you beget a son, that child will kill you,