Oedipus from the play "Oedipus the King" and Hamlet from "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" are two different characters, but they both share the same title of being a tragic hero. Oedipus and Hamlet have many characteristics of a tragic hero that separates them in variety. However, some of these characteristics show that both characters have and use similar thought processes and methods, which classify them as tragic heroes of their dramas. The five characteristics of a tragic hero are: nobility, tragic flaw, peripeteia, anagnorisis and finally irony. Both Oedipus and Hamlet hold or have a noble position in the plot of their play. Oedipus is the son of the king and fate has predicted that he will kill his father and take power over the kingdom. Thus, Oedipus was destined for his nobility, therefore he is expected to always remain in a higher status than everyone else. Hamlet is also the son of the former king who is now dead. Hamlet was born into this nobility, and this makes him the prince. Both characters are real, but their morals and values ​​are what make their nobilities equal. Their actions create heavy and dramatic results, which lead to many more complications. Both men try to solve their problems differently, so their fortunes are reversed. Oedipus and Hamlet are very different, yet they have almost the same fate. Of all five characteristics, three best describe and separate both men as tragic heroes. The tragic flaws, defined as hamartia, that both men have are the main reason why they are heroes of tragedy, their recognition of their situations, which is an anagnorisis, is found at different points in their stories, and finally both men encounter an ending that is intended to be an irony of their destiny. The tragedy is that both men are...... middle of paper......, yet both are almost the same. Hamlet meets his end with revenge, and Oedipus meets his downfall with his curiosity. One thing that is absolutely common among them is that they are tragic heroes. They differ and are related, but one thing is certain, and that is they contain all five defining characteristics. Tragically, in the end, both men are destined to suffer for their lives, ending in their dramatic deaths. Oedipus and Hamlet are perhaps not entirely different. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Literature "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark": an introduction to fiction, poetry, theater and writing. Eds. XJ Kennedy, Dana Gioia. Boston: Pearson, 2013.1396-1506. Print.Sophocles. Literature "Oedipus Rex": an introduction to fiction, poetry, theater and writing. Eds. XJ Kennedy, Dana Gioia. Boston: Pearson, 2013.1207-1244. Press.