Frederick Karl interprets the role of Michael Henchard as being similar to Oedipus in the Sophocles triliogy, or Shakespeare's King Lear. He is a man beset by pride, desiring influence and control over all aspects of his life, but especially over those close to him, his family.
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I would agree with Karl's opinion that King Lear and Michael Henchard share some of the same qualities. One, being the idea that appearance is more important than reality itself. King Lear wants to be treated as a king and enjoy himself, and cares less for the duties of his title. This can be seen in the public displays of love that he looks for from his three daughters. Michael Henchard also displays this quality in the fact that he cares much about his "name". Over the eighteen years that the book skips over, he has somehow gotten himself from haytrusser to the mayor of a small town. Henchard has little else besides that of his "good name" and reputation to uphold.
ReplyDeleteAlso, King Lear disowns his favorite and youngest daughter after she doesn't show her love for him. The story continues and King Lear is consequently very guilty about his decision to give her up. This reminds me of Michael Henchard and the fact that he sells his wife and child in the opening scenes of the novel. This guilt follows him through his life, and the man's haunted past will give him no rest.
I would overall have to agree with Karl's argument.
I would agree with Frederick Karl's opinion that Michael Henchard’s life could be similar to Oedipus in the Sophocles trilogy, or Shakespeare's King Lear.
ReplyDeleteThe similarities of Henchard’s life and Oedipus in the Sophocles, is that Elizabeth Jane could be Oedipus in the play and Michael would be the Sphinx. Michael unfortunately became a man of bad conscience throughout Mayor. The Sphinx was a monster who stood on a rock outside the gates and devoured everyone who failed to solve her riddle. Michael was the Mayor of Casterbridge who refused to allow others to become closer to his family than he was. For example, Michael disapproved of Farfrae due to his desire to ‘rob’ him of his Elizabeth-Jane. Both Michael and the Sphinx had the power for a good portion of the story. The plot however changed when Oedipus solved the riddle and the Sphinx fell to her death. Izzy is similar to Oedipus because she also solved the riddle of Michael’s true reasons for leaving Casterbridge. Like the Sphinx, after the puzzle was put together, Michael was also gone for good. Oedipus was said to be a savior of the city and became king and married the recently widowed queen. Elizabeth-Jane married the recently widowed Mayor of Casterbridge.
Michael is also similar to King Lear. Lear disapproves of his youngest daughter because she does not appear to love him as his other children do. Michael no longer wishes to speak to EJ after the death of Mrs. Henchard because she no longer shows her affection for him.
I would also agree with Karl in saying that Henchard is similar to Oedipus and King Lear. To add to Liz's comment about appearance being a top priority for Henchard because his name and reputation was all he had, he also showed this when he begged Susan to ask Elizabeth Jane to be called by Miss Henchard. He said it would only be fit for his own daughter living under his roof. Henchard could not stand the idea of being improper. He also lost everything when his past was revealed by the furmity woman which showed that he put up a front as mayor of the town and all he cared about was making a name for himself and hiding his past.
ReplyDeleteMichael Henchard is also very much like King Lear. Along with what Miranda said Henchard longs for attention and affection from his own family.
I agree with Liz in the sense that Micheal Henchard and King Lear are very similar. Both only care about the power that they hold in their respected positions, one being King, the other a Mayor. Both only care about what society see on the outside, the outer appearance rather than the inner pain. Micheal hides his guilt, for if known to the public, would ruin him. Both of these characters desire the devotion of their respected families. When their families did not show them the "required love", both "banished" their daughters. Micheal banished his daughter to go live with an upperclass woman. Lear banished his youngest daughter because she did not show him enough devotion. Like Lear, Henchard realized in the end that he was wrong, as seen in his last will and testament. Lear, likewise, showed his guilt when his daughter died in front of him. But for both character, their selfishness blinded them until tragedy made them aware of what they were taking for granted their whole lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Karl's claim that Henchard is similar in character to Oedipus and Lear. All three men start off their stories by committing a sin and spending the rest of the book (or play) attempting to make amends: Henchard drunkenly sells his family, Oedipus kills his father and King Lear disowns his daughter. Also, they are all extremely self-confident and hubris, particular traits which eventually lead to their continuous failures and eventual demise. When Michael sells his family because of his own self-pity and lack of control, he doesn’t immediately think to himself, “Oh, hey, where’s my family at?” when he finally regains sobriety. His first thoughts are whether he disclosed his name that past night, and if his reputation was on the line. This is similar to Oedipus, when he denies the fact that he could be the murderer of his father, and immediately accuses Creon and Tiresias of plotting against him and charges Tiresias of insanity. It is also similar to King Lear when he instantaneously disowns his daughter because she doesn’t kiss his… butt... and tell him every word that his pathetic little heart desires to hear.
ReplyDeleteAll three men eventually regret their actions, and, like I said earlier, spend the rest of the book (or play) trying to make amends. Their past mistakes haunt them for the rest of their existences, ceasing to let up until the men take their last breaths.
These three characters are also similar to Julius Caesar in a sense, because his death was caused by an excess of self-confidence as well.
For all of these reasons and more, I agree with Frederick Karl in that Henchard, Oedipus and King Lear all share similar characteristics.