Biography of Sophocles Sophocles was born near Athens, in the small town of Colonus, around 495 BC. His ninety-year life span coincided with the rise and fall of the Athenian Golden age. The son of Sophillus, a wealthy armor maker, Sophocles was provided with the best traditional aristocratic education available in Athens (Page 3). Very little is known about Sophocles as a youth, although one public record suggests his participation in “The Chorus of Youths,” chosen to celebrate the Athenian naval
Context undoubtedly plays a major role in both the creation and the interpretation of literary works, as it dictates how the author and the audience relate the entities within the literary work with those in reality. Two versions of Antigone, each written by Sophocles and Jean Anouilh, exemplify the influence of context on the literary works; although both depict Antigone’s struggle to bury her brother Polynices against Creon’s edict, each version revolves around slightly different topics and is
Hubris in Antigone and Oedipus The idea of hubris is monumental in a plethora of Greek mythological works. In many ways the excessive pride of certain characters fuels their own destruction. This is certainly true with respect to the characters of Pentheus, Antigone, and Oedipus. All three of these characters demonstrate, through their actions, various degrees of arrogance that seem to undercut the traditional role of the Gods, and thus largely contribute to their downfall. However, it should
The theme of Tragedy in The Theban Plays by Sophocles In his tragic trilogy, The Theban Plays, Sophocles portrays the essence of Ancient Greek life; their culture, politics, religion and the maxims that are intended to guide their daily life through the actions of the main characters, Oedipus, Creon, and Antigone. Sophocles employs the use of thematic structures that coherently affects each character uniquely, and one of the most common themes depicted in these plays is that of fate vs freewill. In
Did you know? Sophocles was the most awarded writer in dramatic competitions in the city of Ancient Athens. One of Sophocles significant play was Antigone. Antigone was an overriding tragedy written around 442 B.C. The play primarily focuses on the power of the state and individual moral sense, and feminism which was a huge issue in Ancient Greece during that time. Although, it was not Sophocles intentions to make a trilogy of Oedipus, it is the third of the Three Theban plays following Oedipus the
A Critical Analysis of Antigone By Sophocles 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
Republic and Sophocles’ Antigone both address elements of death, tyranny and immorality, morality, and societal roles. These topics are important elements when addressing justice, whether in the societal representation or personal representation. Antigone uses the concept of death in many ways when unfolding the tragic story of Antigone and her rebellion. The most obvious way is how death is used as a form of capital punishment and justice against state-dubbed criminals and wrongdoers. The play first exhibits
(OED). In Sophocles’s Antigone, Antigone herself chooses to use a form of civil disobedience to give burial rites to her fallen brother. Three binary oppositions will be used in this essay, those oppositions being women v. men in religion, divine
Teiresias, a prophet used in Sophocles plays, once said to Oedipus “I say that with those you love best you live in foulest shame unconsciously and do not see where you are in calamity,” (Sophocles, 410). Teiresias spoke this to Oedipus in an attempt to influence into baring witness to the truth that hides behind his true family line. Oedipus in Oedipus The King was the father and brother to Antigone, Ismene, Polyneices, and Eteocles. Although Oedipus was unaware of the truth, his choices set him
“Sophocles suggests that while gods can predetermine or influence human action, they do not necessarily define one’s character. People are responsible for finding out who they are and where they belong; they must then take moral responsibility for their lives” (Textbook; pg. 466) Sophocles was a very successful playwright, during his lifetime. His work includes Oedipus Rex and Antigone. Within his plays, he clearly illustrates the difference between appropriate and inappropriate, ancient Greek