Oedipus Rex, “Master Harold” and the Boys are dramatic tragedies that tell the story of two men who, as Kreon would say, “serve [their] own destruction.” Although the two plays are completely different in their plot and setting, they are similar when it comes to the irrational decisions made by the main characters. The main characters also share many of the same characteristics, including a false sense of pride, intelligence overshadowed by irrational decisions, clouded judgment, and shame over their actions. Although the characters serve their own destruction, it can be argued that the environment has shaped the downfalls that take place in each room. Pride is a personality trait that Oedipus and Hally develop in each play and which ultimately leads to their destruction. Both Oedipus and Hally are presented as humble characters who develop a false sense of pride as each story progresses. Oedipus' pride is based on his inability to accept reality, while Hally's pride is based on the social influences that shape his view of humanity. Oedipus demonstrates humility when the Oracle informs him that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Oedipus believes what the Oracle tells him and ends up going on a journey to avoid his fate. Later in the story, he develops a false sense of pride that allows him to deny the truth behind Tiresias' prophecy. Oedipus instead interprets Teiresias' prophecy as a threat from Creon and explains that it is because of his "wealth, power, political know-how!" Royal position, admired everywhere! (scene 1, 163-4) Oedipus' language suggests superiority over Creon and Tiresias, and it is this scene where he demonstrates that the humility he once possessed has disappeared. At the beginning of...... middle of paper ...... he believes he is smarter and more aware than anyone he speaks to and becomes blind to the truth that was shown when Teiresia explained the prophecy. Oedipus Rex and "Master Harold" and the Boys focus on the character, judgment, decisions and relationship between the three. Oedipus and Hally are not "evil" characters, but they become very unsympathetic characters towards the end of their stories due to poor judgment and poor decision-making. The reader becomes attached to each protagonist and is disappointed by their actions throughout their stories. They serve their own destruction in their stories, but also serve to destroy their sympathy from the reader's perspective. The tragedy of each play is due to the series of bad choices the characters make that lead to their undesirable actions. Both men become examples of disappointment and wasted potential.