Comparative Analysis of Plays 'Trying to Find Chinatown' and 'Oedipus the King'
Like most forms of literature, Plays share many elements, from the plot, setting, different characters, as well as conflict. And although it may be more comfortable at times to read a play, the experience, and enjoyment of watching a play being acted before our very eyes get lost. For many individuals, it is hard to comprehend the writing style of many authors, such as William Shakespeare and Sophocles. Therefore, seeing it makes it easier to understand and appreciate the work better. In this short essay I am going to analyse what is Oedipus in the play “Oedipus the King”, Benjamin and Ronnie in the play “Tryong to Find Chinatown” are trying to find. Also I will analyse are their searches analogous.
David Henry Hwang's play 'Trying to Find Chinatown' as well as Sophocles' play 'Oedipus the King' possess many similarities with one another. Both of the characters' search to find their identity is analogous. Although both plays were written hundreds of years apart, the most significant similarity is within two characters and their search for finding their true identity. Oedipus and Benjamin are both adopted. As a child, Oedipus was warned of a prophecy that one day, he would kill his father. Throughout the play, he is urged to not look into his past; however, he ignores the warning. Only to find out later on that he's been married to his mother and is the murderer of his father. In Hwang's play 'Trying to Find Chinatown,' Ronnie and Benjamin create their own identity by not classifying themselves from where they came from instead of the connections and relationships they built. Chinese parents adopted Benjamin, and although he is not Asian, he identifies as having an ethnic identity due to his family. Through the play, Ronnie fails to understand the point Benjamins is trying to make. Which is, regardless of his genetic identity, he can still have a relationship and emotional connection to someone's culture and people of different ethnic backgrounds.
One thing I have found to be true is that plays were never genuinely written for individuals to read, instead of for actors to show and convey to their audience. In order to find meaning, many things are left to our imagination. Everything is portrayed in order to help plays come to life. The dramatization, the character's development, and interpretation are left to the actor to convey. I do believe there are several ways to compensate for the loss of the live theater element other than reading it. Watching it through the internet, tv, or even listening to it makes a significant difference. It not only helps and motivates you to learn more about them but also gives you a different and better perspective.
