Abstract This paper analyzes the deeper inferences that Sophocles portrays through the vivid character history of the main characters in his "Three Theban Plays." It describes the characters and the development of the character Oedipus as the model for the tragic hero in "Oedipus the King," "Antigone" and "Oedipus Colonus." The paper concludes that the life of suffering is the underlying theme in the story of Oedipus and Antigone.
From the Paper "It is also important to note that 'innocence' is not rewarded with an escape from any type of suffering. As in the case with Jocasta and Ismene, who play passive roles, both experience an element of suffering. While many view Jocasta as more a tragic character than Ismene, it is important to note that Ismene is governed by fear of man, rather than will of the gods; serving as the perfect foil to her older sister Antigone.
"Ultimately, the life of suffering is the underlying theme in the story of Oedipus and Antigone. In both plays, the hero's suffer extreme consequences for the choices laid upon them, regardless of their favor to the gods. In this sense, suffering is not only a consequence of choice, but also an inherent part of life. Sophocles portrays this theme perfectly through his tragic hero's and characters, laying the groundwork for many tragedians in the future."
Abstract This paper disagrees with Robert Cohen's argument in "Oedipus and the Absurd Life" that Oedipus is a bullheaded, unschooled primitive and his persistence brings about his downfall. The primary source is Sophocles' "Oedipus Tyrannus."
From the Paper "In Robert Cohen's Oedipus and the Absurd Life, Cohen's estimation of Oedipus in Oedipus Tyrannus is frequently harsh. As Cohen writes Oedipus is stubborn, bullheaded, frequently stupid, often rude and admittedly and unashamedly..."
Tags:Oedipus, King, fate, pride, character, leadership, human understanding, Sophocles
Abstract This paper follows the transformation of Creon in two of Sophocles' plays "Oedipus the King" and "Antigone." Throughout the course of the two plays, Creon transforms from an innocent spectator in "Oedipus the King," to a corrupt ruler and tragic figure in "Antigone." Creon's character in "Oedipus the King" depicts a kind, selfless and forgiving person. His good nature allows him to value the opinion of the people of Thebes. Yet in "Antigone," Creon uses his power as a king to punish and dictate laws without the consent of the people of Thebes. The writer contends that Creon's transformation which leads to his own suffering manages to invoke pity from those who dislike his character. A perfect ending for a tragic play.
From the Paper "Creon's character in Oedipus the King shows a kind, selfless, and forgiving person. His good nature allows him to value the opinion of the people of Thebes. As he expresses in a speech to Oedipus and the citizens of Thebes, "I stand / In all men's favor, I am all men's friend." Creon is loved by the Thebans and they manifest this in their loyalty towards him. In the midst of Oedipus' troubles he accuses Creon of being a traitor. To devise the proper punishment, Oedipus asks the Thebans to decide on Creon's fate: death or banishment. The Thebans respond in Creon's favor."
Abstract This paper discusses how "Antigone" takes place in a time of war and looks at how Sophocles explores the relationship between the gods and their human followers. "Antigone"is the third play by Sophocles to address some element of the legend of Oedipus, but the three plays are not a formal trilogy, as they were written at different times. It examines how the essence of the Oedipus myth revolves around personal responsibility, in the Greek conception, and how Antigone shows the same stubbornness as her father when she vows to bury her brother, Polyneices, in spite of the refusal on the part of the Creon to allow this. It also shows how Creon is seen by many as the central character in this drama and as the tragic hero whose hubris leads to his downfall.
From the Paper "The social value of compliance conflicts with the equal values of courage and loyalty, and Antigone is loyal to her brother but transgresses against the legal injunction of the state. Ismene, Antigone's sister, suggests that she comply with the order of Creon because that is what is expected, warning her not to ignore Creon's decree. This conflicts with what Antigone feels the gods have ordered her to do in the name of her brother, and she is not willing to have what she knows is right swept aside by the admonition that she is only a woman. She says this to her sister, showing that she has determined to serve the gods and not the state."
Abstract This paper explains that the character Ismene in Sophocles' "Antigone"
believed that men were superior to women, and women should therefore make no attempt to oppose any man. The author points out that her actions are in opposition to the beliefs of her sister Antigone and her father Oedipus; instead, she has selects to abide by the beliefs of two people who are of little or no significance to her, Creon and Pericles. The paper stresses that Oedipus does not agree with his society and his daughter's concept of women's inferiority to men; his words contrast their beliefs by putting a woman on the same level as him, a man.
From the Paper "In this play, Creon has become Oedipus's successor and has now been corrupted by his power as tyrant. The character of Creon in Antigone believes that women are inferior to men. He believes that under no circumstances should women behave in a way that challenges the superiority of a male. He presents this belief when speaking to his son Haemon. In the conversation between the two, Creon stated, "If we fall, better a man should take us down. Never say that a woman bested us.""
Abstract This paper discusses Sophocles, the master of the tragedy and his "Oedipus Trilogy". The paper contends that the "Oedipus Trilogy" is a prime example of the drama presented in ancient Greece. The paper explains that "Oedipus Rex" is a better example of tragedy than "Antigone", not because it is more 'tragic' by the modern definition in any way, but because of the technicalities of the plot, presentation and characterization within the plays.
From the Paper "Sophocles is considered to be one of the greatest Greek dramatists, and remains among the most renowned playwrights even today. The Greek tragedy is one of the most influential genres of literary and theatrical history on the modern drama and theatre. The theatre of ancient Greece was inspired by the worship of Dionysus, and the performance of plays was considered to be a religious experience for both the actors and the audience. Because of this, the intensity of the Greek theatre was very strong, and the degree to which the plays were taken seriously as a means of influencing and interpreting life was also very high. According to Aristotle, the philosopher credited with creating the definition of a tragedy, "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its katharsis of such emotions."
Antigone and Creon are poised against each other in a battle of reasoning in Anouilh's "Antigone". This paper explores the degenerative qualities of their innate opposition.
1,106 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 38.95
Abstract Following brief, brutal conflict, the opposing qualities between Antigone and Creon prove to cause disastrous results on both sides of the opposition, though Antigone pays the greater price. Using a scholarly article entitled "Patterns of Imagery and Anouilh's Antigone" by the widely respected William Calin, this paper explores, in detail, the images associated with Antigone and Creon and what the consequences of their brutal interaction are in Anouilh's work, "Antigone". The first comparison examines Antigone's youthful naivety in comparison to Creon's aged indifference. Next, Antigone's association with nature is set against Creon's ties with civilization. In another comparison, this paper explores Antigone's beauty in comparison to Creon's ugliness. Finally, the paper delves into Creon's qualities of dominion which are thrown into upheaval by Antigone's rebelliousness. The paper closes by questioning whether or not Creon is actually victorious in spite of Antigone's death.
From the Paper "Throughout her entire argument with Creon, Antigone remains violently opposed to whatever Creon has to say; even when Creon makes a valid point to diffuse Antigone's argument, she modifies her stance just to stay in opposition with Creon. It is almost as if a law governs Antigone's personality, one that does not allow her to wholly agree on anything Creon says, thus perpetually putting her at odds, inevitably calling for her death."
Abstract This paper explains that Sophocles'"Antigone" presents the trials and tribulations of one of Oedipus' daughters, Antigone, as she attempts to fulfill the obligations she feels towards the shattered family. The author points out that the conflict between Antigone and Creon is a conflict of perceptions. The paper relates that Creon believes that one's highest duty is to respect the rules, which govern citizenship, thus complying with all city laws and edicts irrespective of personal opinions and moral codes. The author stress that, Antigone, on the other hand, within the context of her moral code, believes that the laws of a state should be compliant with divine laws. The paper states that, since Antigone thinks that Creon's edict is deemed incongruous with divine law and disrespectful of blood ties, Antigone believes that obedience towards Creon's laws would be immoral and wrong so she disobeys them at the cost of her own life.
From the Paper "Creon considers it unconscionable that someone would put their duties as a family member ahead of their duties as a citizen. "And a man who thinks more highly of a friend than of his country, well, he means nothing to me." A person who is capable of valuing his own family members over his fellow citizens has no worth as a citizen, which is the only measure of any significance as far as Creon is concerned. In his eyes, it is precisely our existence as good citizens that give value to our lives. As Howenstein explains, according to Creon, ruling is grounded in the incontestable power of the sovereign and the absolute subservience of his people."
Abstract This paper discusses the play "Antigone," written by Sophocles and first performed in Athens around 440 B.C.E. The writer describes the drama in detail and discusses some of its main themes, such as the power of upholding morality, the conflict between Antigone's moral values and Creon's immoral tyranny, and Antigone's conflict with male chauvinism. The writer concludes that Antigone's spirit permeates every woman today who courageously continues to struggle against continued bias and discrimination against women.
From the Paper "Therefore, Sophocles' tragedy of Antigone really encompasses the major theme of an apparently insoluble problem of whether the rights of the state are of greater importance than that of the rights of the individual common man and/or woman. Sophocles' Antigone clearly can be considered a work sympathetic to feminism. This is because of its portraying the unrelenting courage and fearless defiance exhibited by Antigone, in her wanting to have her brother Polynices' body buried regardless of the consequences to her as a woman because of defying the higher male authority of Creon, who unjustly imposed an immoral ruling not to have Polynices' body decently buried."
Abstract "Oedipus the King" is a tragedy that focuses on the life and downfall of the unfortunate KingOedipus, who was condemned by the oracle at an early age to murder his father and marry his mother. This paper, analyzes, and pays special attention to the last line in the play, "Crave not mastery in all." And what this means in the context of the play and the ending of it all.
Abstract The paper explores the conflict between Antigone and King Creon that might does not always make right. The paper shows how this was particularly the case when Creon condemned Antigone to death for burying her brother.
From the Paper "The tale of Antigone is a tragedy one that clearly demonstrates that might does not always make right. Despite being written more than years ago the central dilemma in Antigone is one that remains highly relevant to contemporary society and individuals. For in the conflict between Antigone and King Creon is wrapped the larger conflict between the individual and the state. Antigone is outraged that King Creon has declared that her warrior brother cannot receive a proper burial."
Tags: State, individual, Gods, law, society, burial, Haemon, Martin Luther King Jr., justice, injustice
Abstract The paper discusses the two main characters in the ancient Greek play "Antigone" written by Sophocles. It shows how each has powerful views on politics, but they disagree on nearly every aspect of political life and law. One main conflict is that Antigone wholeheartedly believes in divine law, whereas Creon believes fully in Civil Law. The paper discusses issues such as personal principles, breadth of law, freedom, character and political and personal ethics.
From the Paper "Antigone and Creon both understand certain aspects of political life, but neither comprehends all facets of politics. Antigone is pious but unswerving in her principles. Creon desires to create a stabile community, but he is cruel and unfeeling in order to set a precedent. Sophocles does not want us to emulate Antigone or Creon. Antigone epitomizes behaviors that reinforce or destabilize the Polis. Additionally, Antigone celebrates human power in the political system, whether advantageous or not. Individuals possess the powerful and dangerous tool of persuasion that must be used cautiously. Moreover, through the phenomenon of death in the play Antigone, the distinction between what individuals should attempt to control and what should be governed by a higher power, are illuminated. Creon and Antigone believe opposite forces should wholly preside over individuals, and neither will compromise their ideals. The characters in Antigone do not attain a "happy medium" between divine law and law of the Polis. Human limitation should be addressed by incorporating both human and divine law into our lives."
Abstract The paper shows how one sees the kingly stereotypes of realism and the dynamics of the character that Oedipus represents through the scope of Fate and why this created tragedy for this doomed character. The paper illustrates how KingOedipus could not accept the will of the Gods and selfishly sought to reject the greater plan they had created for him. The paper highlights how by his kingly nature he presents a realistic man, as he only wants to avoid death and destruction, but he also provides the mental and behavior dynamic that made him insane.
From the Paper "This dramatic study will examine the nature of Fate in relation to the tragic life of Oedipus in the dramatic play "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles. The critical aspects of character and plot revolve around the troubled vision of the leader Oedipus, as he descends into the abyss of Fate in relation to events within his life. The basis of this study will be to examine the tragic aspects of Oedipus' attitudes towards his followers, as he cannot recant the destiny that Teiresias imposes on him for his death. In this manner, Fate plays a large role in controlling the destiny of Oedipus, as he cannot find a way to evade the tragedy that awaits him."
