Summary:
Similarities exist between Sophocles' character Oedipus in ancient literature and J.K. Rowling's character Harry Potter in contemporary literature. Both characters initially lack knowledge of their lineage; both possess some form of humility in the beginning, but eventually develop a sense of hubris that results in a tragic flaw in their lives; and both live lives that are driven by prophecies made by soothsayers before their respective births.
Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, tells the tragic story of a man's ill-fated life, and the lessons he learns through incessant tragedies. Though it may not be evident, there is a distinct correlation between the protagonists of Oedipus Rex and the Harry Potter series by their fate, knowledge, and emotional outbursts. The lamentable tales of The Oedipus Cycle, written thousands of years ago, have been preserved, translation thru translation, and still are being deciphered today, while Harry Potter is so world renown, that it becomes an industry all its own. There lays a mind babbling relationship between the development of Oedipus from an Ancient Greek Tragedy and Harry Potter of a postmodern fantasy. Regardless of how unclear theses connections may be there are many qualities that Harry, whose characteristics J.K. Rowling vividly depicts, that show similarities.....
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