Sophocles’ Antigone The character of Antigone in Sophocles’ play, Antigone, is one of the most controversial tragic characters in classic literature. The war in her city has torn her family apart, caused the death of both her brothers, and created a reason for her to fight against the King, her uncle. Her uncle, Creon, makes a ruling that her brother, Polynices, is not to be buried because he is a traitor, but according to her religion, her brother’s soul will not go to the afterlife until he is buried. In defense of her brother, she buries his body illegally and is subsequently sentenced to death. With her complex patterns of thought, bold actions, and the end she encounters, the character of Antigone causes debate among critics as to whether or not Antigone is in fact a tragic heroine. She can be perceived as a martyred hero, dying for love and religion, or as a fanatic woman who lacks the ability to think rationally. The way in which Antigone’s role is interpreted can further help to interpret Sophocles’ view of women and politics. In taking the view that she is a hero who died for her beliefs, it shows that Sophocles was aiming to prove that women deserve to be treated as equals and as citizens of Greece. Sophocles, like Antigone, was born to a privileged family in 496 B. C. in Colonus, a small town near Athens. His life was full of war stories and heroism. When he was a young boy, the Athenians defeated the Persians at Marathon. Later on, he was subjected to watching the burning of his home and the Parthenon by the Persians as well as the building of a new Parthenon. During the last years of his life, the Peloponnesian War raged on full-scale. Sophocles was a general and war hero during some of this time, but also on t... ... middle of paper ... .../sophocles.htm. 10 Dec 2004. Holland, Catherine A. “After Antigone: Women, the Past, and the Future of Feminist Political Thought.” American Journal of Political Science, Vol. 42, No. 4. October 1998. JSTOR. http://links.jstor.org/s. 8 Dec 2004. Saxonhouse, Arlene W. “From Tragedy to Hierarchy and Back Again: Women in Greek Political Thought.” The American Political Science Review: Vol. 80, No. 2. June 1986. JSTOR. http://links.jstor.org. 8 Dec 2004. Sophocles. Antigone. Ed. George Young. New York: Dover Publications, Inc, 1993. Sophocles. Antigone. Ed. R. C. Jebb. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/sophocles-antigone.txt 17 Dec 2004. Willner, Dorothy. “The Oeduipus Complex, Antigone, and Electra: The Woman as Hero and Victim.”American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 84, No. 1. (Mar., 1982), pp. 58-78. JSTOR. http://links.jstor.com 6 Dec 2004.
Hercules is best known for his twelve labours. That said, few people actually know why Hercules had to perform these labours. He is the man of everyone’s dreams – men and women alike. He had the physique, the complexion, the heritage, and the romance. Because of Hercules’ ancestry, he is automatically considered a hero. This is because of the globally accepted equation: God + Mortal = Hero (Rouse, 1957, p. 55).
“Antigone,” is a wonderfully crafted play by Sophocles, which manifests various psychological aspects of humankind like anger, bravery, jealousy, ignorance, arrogance, deceit, and sacrifice to a greater degree. Out of the many characters that represent these human frailties, Antigone is portrayed as the strongest of all. Antigone, despite being a woman in the era, when the gender of women was considered below the status of men, shows great defiance against the cruelty of the reigning monarchy. People secretly approve the generous act of Antigone burying her brother, Polyneices. But, Haimon is the only other character that shows some courage and fight against Creon. His eloquently put together words are, as compelling as, it could get in his failed attempt to defend Antigone. Antigone’s action becomes more heroic, when she buries her brother, knowing the inevitable death that follows and nobody, not even her fiancé, Hamon, could defend her.
In “Antigone” by Sophocles Ismene is stuck between being a true sister or a traitor to her family. Choosing to be a true sister would call for her to follow the law of the gods and break the law of man. If she follows the law of the gods she would join her sister, Antigone, in burying their brother, Polyneices. If she follows the law of man she would betray her family and follow the law made banning the burial of Polyneices. The burial of Polyneices has been banned by King Creon because he says that Polyneices was an enemy of the city and does not deserve to go to heaven. King Creon did however give Polyneices’ brother a soldier’s funeral with military honors because he defended the city against Polyneices.
Antigone believes that a woman should be intrepid and strong, even at the risk of challenging men’s authority. When she proposes to bury Polynices, Ismene answers, “we’re not born to contend with men”. (75) Antigone’s response, “that death will be a glory” (86), does not directly address gender issues, but it expresses her fury at Ismene’s passivity. After the burial of Polynices, Antigone defiantly states, “I did it. I don’t deny a thing,” while being interrogated by Creon (492) and later comments that she was “not ashamed for a moment, not to honor my brother”. (572-3) Antigone’s gallant speech and defiance toward traditional gender identities audaciously shows her revolutionary desire for gender equality.
Another facet that makes determining family history difficult when it comes to the Civil War is the fact that this was not a war of the entire south against the north. This was a war of individuals choosing their state versus their personal beliefs and family. Assuming that your family is from the south, ergo they were Confederates is not a valid position.
The post war impacts of the “war of brothers” was vastly different in the North and South. The North had very little physical damage to repair, as most of the battles were fought below the Mason Dixon line. Even the impact of men not returning to their northern families was significantly less when compared to the loss of family members in the south. But whether fathers and sons were killed fighting for the north or the south, families needed rebuilding.
Hercules' life revolved around using strength and skill in several confrontations of challenges. He carries out several bold and courageous actions during challenging obstacles making him the heroic man he is known as. What created these obstacles was jealousy from the people around him and jealousy from himself. Although these obstacles brought strength to Hercules, it also gave him death and sadness. Hamilton's retelling of the story presents the theme of jealousy throughout Hercules' birth, development as a hero, and death.
Sophocles’ play “Antigone” illustrates the conflict between obeying human and divine law. The play opens after Oedipus’ two sons Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other in a civil war for the throne of Thebes. Oedipus’ brother in law Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because of his civil disobedience and treachery against the city. Polyneices’ sister, Antigone, upon hearing this exclaims that an improper burial for Polyneices would be an insult to the Gods. She vows that Polyneices’ body will be buried, and Creon declares that anyone who interferes with his body shall be punished. This is where the conflict begins. Thus the theme of this play becomes the priority of unwritten law. The question is whether duties to the gods are more essential then obedience of the state and law. Creon calls the rotting of Polyneices’ body an “obscenity” because he believes that burial of the dead is a necessity of human law and not of a citizen. . There is no compromise between the two – both believe in the absolute truth of their obedience.
Brad Moore, a famous athlete once said, “Pride would be a lot easier to swallow if it didn’t taste so bad.” In Sophocles’ well known Greek tragedy, Antigone, the main character undergoes immense character development. Antigone transforms from being stubborn and underestimated to courageous and open-minded. In reality, it is Antigone’s insular persistence that leads to her ultimate decline in the play as well as others around her. After the death of her two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, Creon becomes the new ruler of Thebes. With this, he grants Eteocles an honorable funeral service for his brave fighting. Claiming that Polynices was a traitor, he shows complete refusal to grant Polynices a respectable and worthy service. Clearly disagreeing with Creon’s inexcusable demands, Antigone declares she will bury Polynices herself so that his soul can be at peace. Entirely aware of the consequences and dangers of this action, which include death, she goes forward vowing her love for her family. Antigone shows strength and determination towards her brother. However, her growing sense of pride leads to her downfall as she sacrifices everything for her family. Antigone develops into an admirable character in which she portrays her defiance and courage, pride and open mindedness, and sense of moral righteousness to show vital character growth as the play progresses.
In the play Antigone, by Sophocles, it is greatly apparent just within the first few exchanges between Ismene and Antigone that there are various social issues surrounding the women in ancient Greece. The play raises many gender and socially related issues especially when looking at the contextual background of the playwright and the representation of the women within the play. When the characters of the first scene begin their analog, it is important to note what they are actually saying about each other and what their knowledge of their own social status is. The audience is first introduced to Antigone who we later learn is the antagonist of the play as she rebels against the protagonist, Creon. Her sister, Ismene, is the second character the audience is introduced to, hears of Antigone's plan to bury their brother's body in the first scene. Ismene’s actions and words give the reader the hint that her sister’s behavior is not usual, "so fiery" and "so desperate" are the words used to describe Antigone's frame of mind. At this very early point in the play the reader discovers that Antigone is determined to carry out her mission to bury her beloved brother. However, she is in no position that gives her the rights as a woman, sister, or even future queen to make her own decisions and rebel. Instead, her decision to bury her brother demonstrates her loyalty to her family, the gods, and to all women. Her motivation for those decisions will end up driving her far more than that of what the laws set by Creon have implemented. She shows no fear over disobeying the king and later says about the punishment of death "I will lie with the one I love and loved by him"(Sophocles, 2). Throughout the play the reader can see the viewpoint of an obedient woman, a rebellious woman, and the social norms required for both of them.
There are several examples of literature that have not so much changed the particular way in which I view the world, but solidified my ideologies; however, one in particular, of very few, has made me think and reconsider certain aspects of my life and human struggle. Antigone, a play written by Sophocles in 441 B.C. offers a variety of lessons, two of which resonate with me above the rest. The first is the sharp contrast divine law and human law has to offer. The second: limitations can only be determined by those whom they affect.
Euripides, one of Ancient Greece’s most famous playwrights, could be considered as one of the earliest supporters of women’s rights. With plays such as Alcestis and Medea, he clearly puts an emphasis on the condition of women, and even integrates them in the Chorus of the latter play, a feat that was not often done in Ancient Greece. Throughout the years, it has been argued that the two central characters in each of those plays offer conflicting representations of women in those times, and I can safely say that I agree with that argument. I will expand on my view by pointing out an important similarity between Alcestis and Medea, followed by a key difference, and will finish it off by contrasting them with the Ancient Greek depiction of an “ideal woman.”
Hercules the great hero and the son of the great god Zeus, was the most famous of all the Greek mythological heroes. Hercules was known for his strength, bravery, and adventuresome personality. Hercules like most heroes had a god as their father, and he had a mortal mother named Alcmene. Hercules like most heroes was not an ordinary mortal and a good example was his superhuman strength.
Sophocles’ background influenced him to write Antigone. In the fifth century BCE. the “golden era” of Athens, is an important influence in the author’s life. In that time, Athens has experienced so much change in all facets; in addition, drama continues as a major factor in Athenian culture. In his essay “Sophocles,” Ed Downey reports that Sophocles was born at the beginning of the “golden era” in Athens; furthermore, he lived a long life influenced by “the artistic and cultural achievements in the ancient Greek world.” Sophocles is a wealthy and highly educated, “happy man.” As a young man, Sophocles begins his playwright career, so he eventually become one of the greatest writers in history;