Journal 2-Effect of love and friendship theme

In Oedipus, Sophocles uses the theme of love and friendship between lovers and between friends to expose two very opposite effects. The love between Oedipus and his mom/wife is a very weak relationship. We witness this when, in the end, Jocasta hangs herself. Instead of supporting and helping her son/husband through the terrible troubles he was going through, she gets so self absorbed in her own despair that she kills herself. The effect of this theme of love shows the effect that when two people in a relationship do not view the significant other higher than themselves they will always take the easy way out, even if it means hurting the other person. The relationship between Oedipus and Creon is one of great value, however. Sophocles uses the theme od friendship in this case to show that even when a friend is completely in denial over a subject and rejects the other person, if the person is a true friend they won't ever give up on their friendship. In comparison, Ibsen uses the theme of love and friendship in Wild Duck to get another point across. The relationship of Hjalmar and Gregers is one we can see a great difference in. Hjalmar is in the lower class and Gregers in a higher however the great friendship they have is evident. Through this friendship, Ibsen indicates that a great friendship is not based off of outer or worldly things/views. True friendship is based on the insides of people and that connection of the soul. The love between father and daughter is also one we can see a great effect come forth. When Hjalmar gets home from the party, his daughter asks about the treat he promised her. When he realizes he has forgotten the treat, he says sorry and Hedvig is disappointed. Even though the treat was something Hedcig was looking forward to, she realizes that he was sincerely sorry and she says that it is okay because he is still her father and she loves him. Sophocles demonstrates by this love that when you have such a great love as Hedvig does for her father, nothing can get in the way of that; it's inevitable. By comparing the effects of the theme of love and friendship between Sophocles play and Ibsens play we see that Sophocles has a more negative view that tells the world the 'ugly truth' while Ibsens play shpws a more positive and reassuring view.