This essay outlines the similarities in theme, symbolism and writing structure between William Shakespear's "Hamlet" and Sophocles "Oedipus King".

When reading the works of two great writers, a person can find many similarities between them. The underlying themes of Shakespeare's Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus King excite the reader yet leave us with the desire of wanting more. There are significant similarities between Oedipus King and Hamlet, especially when it relates to the theme of the tormented king, incest, and Shakespeare's and Sophocles metaphorical references to vision and hearing. Sophocles Oedipus King and Shakespeare's Hamlet …

…dress and proceeds to blind himself and live a life of a wanderer. In conclusion, Shakespeare and Sophocles use many themes throughout Hamlet and Oedipus king to form strong similarities between the two main characters: such as the tormented king, incest, and sight and hearing. Sophocles Oedipus King and Shakespeare's Hamlet both contain the basic elements of tragedy. These three elements are the prime examples of the similarities between the works of two literary legends.