Every day of our lives we face moral dilemmas: whether it is giving money to a homeless person or giving a look at a peer chemistry test. Fortunately, the stakes are not high. The tragic figures of Hamlet, the ancient and future King and Oedipus also experience moral dilemmas; only these characters struggle with violence, murder and manipulation instead. The protagonists strive to deal with these difficulties within the strict limits of religion. This all-consuming dogma subjects the protagonists to a tenuous morality. Hamlet, Arthur, and Oedipus rely on the divine to determine what is right and what is wrong. Because of their inevitable transgressions against dogmatic faith, the characters excuse their sin instead of recognizing man's tendency towards guilt. Through their tragedy, Hamlet, Arthur, and Oedipus discover redemption in moral responsibility. The authors promote this recognition of humanity above pity. In Hamlet, The Once and Future King, and Oedipus, the protagonists' construction of morality drives their tragedy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. White and Sophocles mock humanity's reliance on the gods to define morality. In The King of the Past and the Future and Oedipus, this addiction confuses the characters' morality and triggers their downfall. Recognizing Oedipus' guilt, the chorus implores the gods to punish him. “Zeus, if you are the king of kings, then let not this transgression remain hidden from you and your great immortal eye.” (Sophocles 243) This further reinforces their reliance on a system of punishment and reward. If Oedipus were to remain unharmed, it would disturb the morality on which the citizens base their lives. The King of the past and future reflects this blind dependence on religion. Lionel's retelling of Bors's quest calls into question our most cherished moral beliefs. The King reflects: “I suppose the moral is… that you must not commit a mortal sin, even if twelve lives depend on it. Dogmatically speaking, I believe it is right” (White 446). White draws the reader's attention to the faulty logic of Arthur's resolution. Many argue that the loss of twelve lives represents a moral dilemma, but dogma disagrees. In parallel, the Chorus dethrones Oedipus as king once their moral concept of him is thwarted. Their self-evident truths transform based on the authority of dogma. Instead, Arthur and the chorus return to a continuous and comfortable moral presence: religion. By using two extremes – “mortal sin” versus “twelve lives” – White draws attention to the all-consuming nature of dogma. The chorus glorifies the gods, naming Zeus “king of kings” and invoking his “great immortal eye.” This signifies the constant and frightening presence of the gods in their lives. Reverence for the divine prevails over moral conscience. In Oedipus and The Once and Future King, the blind religious following fuels the tragedy of the characters. They find themselves unable to formulate a moral compass independent of religion, and so struggle to define right and wrong. Their restrictive dogmas make them more susceptible to the temptations of human nature. Rigid religious standards cause the protagonists' inevitable transgressions. Instead of admitting guilt, Arthur and Oedipus pervert morality to justify their actions. King Arthur reflects on his weak justification for his recklessness: “Everyone told me what a terrible sin it was, and how nothing but pain would come of it… I wanted to destroy Mordred for his sake” (White 548). Arthur bears witness to man's tendency to disturb the morality we consider entrenched.