King Lear and Oedipus: Hardy's Allusion

The mayor of Casterbridge is a powerful man, one who vows to change his life, and in doing so attempts to control his own fate. The tragedy of Henchard's choices lead him down a road toward exile and despair. This message of a hero full of pride and desire is not a new one. Aristotle writes at length regarding the need for tragic heroes to follow a specific pattern which will incite feelings of empathy from the audience.


Critic Frederick Karl interprets the role of Michael Henchard as being similar to Oedipus in the Sophocles Trilogy, or Shakespeare's King Lear. Karl sees Henchard as a man beset by pride, desiring influence and control over all aspects of his life, but especially over those close to him, his family.

Follow the links on these two great dramatic pieces and research them for information to support Karl's interpretation.

Neo-paganism and Thomas Hardy

In many of Hardy's novels the main character is female, struggling with her fate in a society which views women as second-class citizens (see notes on Victorians). Hardy's views on women were not sympathetic to the Victorian values of his time. However, in Mayor of Casterbridge the main character is male, not female, and yet Hardy's views on the struggles of Victorian women are still apparent to readers.

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Critics have argued the most influential woman in Henchard's life is the furmity woman. Throughout the novel the furmity woman keeps reappearing in Henchard's life. Critics believe her reoccurance is interesting in that as a minor female character she leads Henchard toward his fate more directly than either Elizabeth Jane or Lucetta.

Which woman do you believe has the greatest influence on Henchard's fate? His wife? His lover? His daughter?