Antigone, Julius Caesar, and The Matrix
Teylor Parks
Ms. Philip
World Literature and Composition-Period 2
19 December 2013
Culminating Performance Task: Part B Since its emergence, literature has been defined by elaborate plotlines, skillful settings, and a notable theme. However, the most important aspect of a great story is the lead character. Protagonist Antigone and Brutus both exhibit unique characteristics that influence their motivations. In Sophocles’ greek tragedy Antigone, the title character is forced to make a decision between her brother’s burial and her uncle’s decree. However, her strong will and stubborn personality causes her to disregard her uncle's proclamation, and take her own stance. In lines 85-87 of Scene 2, the Choragus remarked, “Like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf to reason! She has never learned to yield.” This direct characterization by the Choragus shows that Antigone is very obdurate. As for William Shakespeare’s drama The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus must make a choice between joining the conspirators or allowing Caesar to continue his rise in power. Brutus' gullibility and dedication to Rome caused him to fall victim of deception. Influenced by Cassius’ remarks, Brutus reflects in Act 2, “It must be by his death; and for my part. I know no personal cause to spurn at him. But for the general,” This shows that though Brutus has no rationale to kill Caesar; he is willing to commit murder for the good of his kingdom. Furthermore, Brutus joins the conspiracy after reading false letters from the public; this proves that Brutus is very naive. Both Antigone and Brutus’ decisions are influenced by not only their character traits and motivations, but the frequent appearance of fate and freewill.
In Andy and Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix, main character Neo is at a constant battle with fate and freewill. Given the choice between the truth and his perceived reality, Neo takes control of his own destiny and selects the truth in the form of a red pill. However,
Ms. Philip
World Literature and Composition-Period 2
19 December 2013
Culminating Performance Task: Part B Since its emergence, literature has been defined by elaborate plotlines, skillful settings, and a notable theme. However, the most important aspect of a great story is the lead character. Protagonist Antigone and Brutus both exhibit unique characteristics that influence their motivations. In Sophocles’ greek tragedy Antigone, the title character is forced to make a decision between her brother’s burial and her uncle’s decree. However, her strong will and stubborn personality causes her to disregard her uncle's proclamation, and take her own stance. In lines 85-87 of Scene 2, the Choragus remarked, “Like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf to reason! She has never learned to yield.” This direct characterization by the Choragus shows that Antigone is very obdurate. As for William Shakespeare’s drama The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Brutus must make a choice between joining the conspirators or allowing Caesar to continue his rise in power. Brutus' gullibility and dedication to Rome caused him to fall victim of deception. Influenced by Cassius’ remarks, Brutus reflects in Act 2, “It must be by his death; and for my part. I know no personal cause to spurn at him. But for the general,” This shows that though Brutus has no rationale to kill Caesar; he is willing to commit murder for the good of his kingdom. Furthermore, Brutus joins the conspiracy after reading false letters from the public; this proves that Brutus is very naive. Both Antigone and Brutus’ decisions are influenced by not only their character traits and motivations, but the frequent appearance of fate and freewill.
In Andy and Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix, main character Neo is at a constant battle with fate and freewill. Given the choice between the truth and his perceived reality, Neo takes control of his own destiny and selects the truth in the form of a red pill. However,