Examine the use made by writers of innocence and/or ignorance, comparing the presentation of such elements and their effects on the individual works you have studied.

Authors Avatar

Comparative Commentary:

Examine the use made by writers of innocence and/or ignorance, comparing the presentation of such elements and their effects on the individual works you have studied.

Ignorance has impeded human progress, impeded human prosperity. This very characteristic has tainted the world with injustice and allowed ignorant ones to abdicate responsibilities. Within the Greek tragedy ‘Oedipus Rex,’ and the modern tragedy ‘Death and the Maiden,’ Sophocles and Dorfman have focused upon this universal trait to depict a microcosm of the world with the political and social issues stemming from ignorance. The central theme of the pursuit of knowledge has been highlighted through employing ignorance as the fundamental trait of the protagonists within both plays.

A hierarchical society is portrayed within both plays and male protagonists dominate the peak.  They have the ultimate power and power provides soil for ignorance. The male protagonists are ignorant to accept the truth. In the exposition of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus declares ‘You know me, the world knows my fame, I am Oedipus.’ The protagonist fully displays his power and ignorance has rooted upon his attitude. The notion of male superiority is also embedded within ‘Death and the Maiden.’ Gerardo has the ultimate power in the household. In fact, he abdicates domestic responsibilities within the household. ‘This is the son of a bitch that gave me a flat…If his wife happened to remember to fix the spare, right?’

Join now!

Ignorance has been presented to readers at the exposition of the Greek tragedy ‘Oedipus Rex.’ It has also provided the play with the central conflict. Oedipus murdered Lias at the intersection where ‘three roads meet.’ The setting is highly symbolic as the father and son may have taken an alternative path. Yet, due to ignorance, they neglected this prospect and the quarrel was resolved by death of the father. Oedipus encrusted his soul with his father’s blood allowing the prophecy to partially unveil. Furthermore, Lias’ only surviving servant reported that they were attacked by a ‘gang of thieves,’ ignorant ...

This is a preview of the whole essay