The theme of recognition plays an important role in Homer's The Odyssey and in Sophocles' Oedipus the King. Two key recognition scenes are that between Odysseus and Penelope and that between Oedipus and Jocasta. Many differences can be found between the two, and although they are less apparent, some similarities can also be pointed out. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The way identity is established in these two texts is different. From the beginning, Odysseus and Oedipus find themselves in opposite situations: Odysseus always knew who he was, 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 the nurse Eurykleia to call Penelope. Penelope's first reaction is disbelief, even after Eurykleia mentions the scar on her leg. Penelope is reluctant to accept the truth, telling him: “it would be difficult for you to thwart the designs of the eternal gods” (XXIII.81-82). Penelope suspects that an intelligent god disguised himself as a beggar and killed the suitors. It is only after testing him with the knowledge of the marriage bed that she finally believes that this man is her husband. Aside from Eurykleia, Odysseus is the only person who knows that he himself built the bed around a living olive tree and therefore the bed cannot be moved. The recognition scene between Odysseus and Penelope ends happily as she "bursts into tears and runs straight to him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his head" (XXIII.207-208). The recognition scene between Oedipus and Jocasta, however, ends in sadness. Everyone discovers Oedipus' true identity before realizing it. Indeed, he receives numerous warnings from various people not to continue the search for the assassin of Laios, the former king of Thebes. The blind prophet Tiresias begs Oedipus: “Let me go home. It will be easier, if you follow my advice” (lines 320-322). His wife, Jocasta, after realizing Oedipus' true identity, begs him: "Please don't look for that, I beg you" (line 1060). Even the shepherd whom Oedipus summons asks him to stop questioning him: “O master, please, I beg you, master, ask me no more” (line 1165). However, Oedipus continues to ignore these warnings until he discovers that he has committed parricide and incest, that he is the murderer he is looking for and is therefore behind the plague of Thebes. Jocasta makes this connection earlier when the messenger reveals important information about Oedipus, including the fact that his ankles are pierced. In sharp contrast to the loving embrace between Ulysses and Penelope, she cries: “O Oedipus, unhappy Oedipus!/that is all I can call you, and the last thing/that I will call you never” (lines 1071-1072). before she committed suicide. Likewise, when Oedipus realizes what he has done, he blinds himself and banishes himself from Thebes. Both texts postpone recognition again and again, for very different reasons. In Oedipus the King, everyone tries to protect Oedipus from the horrible truth by begging him not to pursue his investigation any further. 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 rid Thebes of the plague. For this reason, he ignores everyone's warnings. On the other hand, Odysseus is driven by his own mission to “judge the faith of women and judge the servants” (XVI.304-305). He must purge his house of the scourge of suitors..