The theme of recognition plays an important role in Homer's Odyssey and Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Two key scenes of recognition are the one between Odysseus and Penelope and the one between Oedipus and Jocasta. Many differences can be found between the two, and although they are less obvious, some similarities can also be spotted. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe way in which identity is established in these two texts is different. From the beginning, Odysseus and Oedipus find themselves in reversed situations: Odysseus has always known who he is, while Oedipus' goal is to discover his true identity. One of the last people to whom Odysseus reveals himself is his wife Penelope. After killing the suitors, he sends his nurse Eurykleia to fetch Penelope. Penelope's first reaction is incredulous even after Eurykleia mentions the scar on her leg. Penelope hesitates to accept the truth, telling her, "it would be difficult for you to confound the purposes of the eternal gods" (XXIII.81-82). Penelope suspects that some cunning god disguised himself as a beggar and killed the suitors. Only after testing him with knowledge of the marriage bed does she finally believe that this man is her husband. Aside from Eurycleia, Odysseus is the only person who knows that he built the bed himself around a live olive tree and therefore the bed cannot be moved. The scene of recognition between Odysseus and Penelope ends happily when she "burst into tears and ran straight to him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his head" (XXIII.207-208). Jocasta, however, ends sadly. Everyone discovers Oedipus' true identity before even realizing it. In fact, he receives numerous warnings from various people not to continue the search for the murderer of Laius, the former king of Thebes. The blind prophet Tiresias pleads with Oedipus: "Let me go home. Will it be easier? If you follow my advice" (lines 320-322). His wife, Jocasta, after realizing Oedipus' true identity pleads with him, "Please, don't look for him, I beg you" (line 1060). Even the shepherd that Oedipus evokes asks him to stop questioning him: "O master, please, master, do not ask me more" (v. 1165). However, Oedipus continues to ignore these warnings until he discovers that he has committed parricide and incest, that he is the murderer he seeks and therefore the source of the plague of Thebes. Jocasta makes this connection earlier when the messenger reveals significant information about Oedipus, particularly the fact that he has pierced his ankles. In stark contrast to the loving embrace that Odysseus and Penelope exchange, she cries, "O Oedipus, unhappy Oedipus! / This is all I can call thee, and the last thing / I will ever call thee" (lines 1071-1072 ). before committing suicide. Likewise, when Oedipus realizes what he has done, he blinds himself and banishes himself from Thebes. Both texts repeatedly defer recognition, for very different reasons. In Oedipus Rex everyone tries to protect Oedipus from the horrible truth by begging him not to continue his investigations. They know it will only bring unhappiness. However, Oedipus is driven by his duty and responsibility as king to find out who the murderer is in order to free Thebes from the plague. This is why he ignores everyone's warnings. On the other hand, Ulysses is driven by his mission to "judge the faith of women and test the servants" (XVI, 304-305). She must eliminate the plague of suitors from her home. Keeping her identity unknown is crucial to success as she intends to kill suitors by surprise. This explains why he responds so violently to Eurycleia when he discovers her true identity, grabbing her "by the throat" and [telling her], "Nurse, why are you trying to.