Test of time

Name

Subject

Tutor

Date

The Relevance of Literature in the Contemporary Setting : Oedipus the King and Hamlet

Literature has often been dubbed the mirror ' through which society sees itself . The work of a literary artist , as it were , is to critique and comment about pertinent social issues in society . Since the dawn of literacy , literature has played a key role in portraying human behaviors , character and actions , as well as how these elements relate to the wider social context . However , what has emerged as a unique quality of

literature is its universality the ability to remain relevant in diverse temporal-spatial contexts . Consequently , while societies change in terms of generational succession , literature transcends transitional boundaries and finds application in the new emerging societies . In this regard , the highlights the contemporary relevance of Sophocles ' Oedipus the King and William Shakespeare 's Hamlet in their portrayal of society and human character

In Hamlet , evil is portrayed as an inherent element of human nature King Claudius had killed his brother King Hamlet to take his throne . In the beginning scene of the play , the late king 's ghost revealed that the king was killed

By a brother 's hand

Of life , of crown , of queen at once dispatched (1 .5 .107-109

This relates to contemporary politics in that political enmity and rivalry can make individuals to harm or even kill their opponents . More often than not , political assassinations are fuelled by the desire to take over another 's position or `tame ' competition

theless...