Antigone Reflective Statement Essay
Reflective Statement
18 March 2014
Word count: 341
Reflective Statement: Sophocles’, Antigone
Reflective Statement Question: How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the Interactive Oral?
The Interactive oral on Sophocles, Antigone helped me gain a deeper understanding on women’s role in Ancient Greece society during the fourth and fifth centuries. Understanding the historical context of the play I was able to develop a deeper insight on how it was connected to Antigone’s actions which expanded my understanding of how really shocking Antigone’s character was to any audience during that time.
Women in Ancient Greece society did not play a role politically, socially, or culturally. Their main duty was to perform the traditional household duties such as: cooking, cleaning and sewing. In addition they were …show more content…
responsible for caring for their children. Women simply did not have control over their own life, therefore they endured many hardships. They were often excluded from any outside events that men participated in. Women’s social life in society were extremely submissive, their views and ideas were constantly pushed aside and overridden by the men. Ismene, one of the minor character in Antigone mirrors the traditional role of women in Ancient Greece society. Through the interactive oral I was able to identify a clear contrast between the characters Ismene and the protagonist Antigone. The differences between these two characters illuminates Antigone’s character as rebellious and her nonconformist qualities. Throughout the fourth and fifth centuries the discrimination of women was extremely prevalent. The interactive oral discussed the consequences for disobeying laws in Ancient Greece. I recognized why Antigone disobeyed the unjust law, leaving her brother unburied, and the divine law, burying her brother. Antigone chose to go against Creon’s policies out of love for her brother, which illuminated her non conformity ways. Creon, the tyrant ruler of Greece, expects men to be superior to women, which highlights his everlasting greed for power. I realized that Antigone’s actions by challenging men shows her undying love towards her brother, a love so strong that ultimately led to her death. Through the Interactive Oral I was able to connect with the historical and cultural context discussed that this play symbolizes women being as strong as any man.
Olivia Nunez
002307_
Written Assignment
March 20, 2014
Word Count: 1252
Fear and Pity in Antigone Achieves the Audiences Catharsis
In the Greek tragedy Antigone, Sophocles evokes fear and pity in the audience through the characterization of the tragic heroes to bring about the audiences catharsis.
Antigone, the protagonist and heroine, is presented as stubborn and unreasonable. These characteristics at first channel fear to the audience in that she might incur the wrath of Kreon. Later these same characteristics cause the audience to take pity for her impending doom and subsequent suicidal death. In a similar vein of pride and blinding stubbornness, we find Kreon who is Antigone’s opposing character as well as uncle and king. The audience will fear his unyielding devotion to the state of Thebes as he wields his power and condemns Antigone. Towards the ending of the play Kreon will draw pity from the spectators when he is left without family and because of his actions robbed of power and pride. This serves to highlight the fundamental theme of the play, which is that excessive devotion and passion for family and power leads to misfortune. It is through this misfortune that Sophocles achieves the audience’s
catharsis.
In the opening scene of the tragedy Antigone unlike her sister Ismene, is prepared to go against Kreon’s edict by burying Polyneices. She insists on giving her brother a decent burial and unlike her sister Ismene who wants to “keep this secret” (Sophocles 24) she proclaims: “I’ll hate you the more for keeping silence” (Sophocles 108). This provokes fear in the audience to what the future consequences will be if Kreon discovers that she defied his law by burying her brother. Antigone speaks of Kreon’s edict: “Whoever shall perform any prohibited act/ shall be liable to the penalty of death by stoning in the presence of the assembled citizens” (Sophocles 39) as being directed to her family. Antigone’s excessive devotion to Polyneices and his burial rights are born out of love and loyalty.
As the play progresses Antigone’s pride and stubbornness become more extreme. To Kreon, Antigone exhibits several behaviors: “rebellious” and “very hateful”. She shows her rebellious side and extreme devotion towards her brother through the arguments she has with Kreon, who ultimately controls her fate. Antigone says to her sister “He’s my brother and yours too; / and whether you will or not, I’ll stand by him” (Sophocles 52). This dramatic dialogue between the two sisters, shows how Antigone is willing to betray Kreon’s law by burying her brother, even though her sister advises her against it which demonstrates her stubbornness. This attitude is what ultimately arouses fear in the audience because her rebellious side is what leads to her misfortune.
On a different note, the Chorus plays a fundamental role in the characterization of Antigone. When Antigone is being sentenced to her death the Chorus proclaims “you go with fame and in glory/ to the hidden place of dead. / No sickness has diminished you” (Sophocles 972). The Chorus makes it known that Antigone’s life is coming to a tragic end, which as a result instills pity in the audience for Antigone. Her excessive love and devotion towards her brother and to do what she believes is morally just leads to her destruction. When Antigone approaches “the last path” (Sophocles 967) the audience fully comprehends Antigone’s fate brought upon her through her rebellious actions. They once again, feel pity for her because she is leaving a life of loneliness and entering into the “hidden place of the dead” (Sophocles 973).
Kreon’s strong rule instills fear on the Chorus and subsequently channels it to the audience. The Chorus, the group of male elders, along with almost all the citizens of Thebes support Kreon out of fear. Kreon, is solely concerned with his dominion of Thebes. He regards only the welfare of the state and is blinded by his need to rule. Kreon’s absolute control and power is channeled through all the characters and causes a reactionary chain that leads to his tragic end. Soon after the death of Eteocles and Polyneices, Antigone’s brothers, Kreon determines Polyneices’ an enemy of the state and decrees to deny him a proper burial. The Chorus initially supports Kreon even though they know this contradicts divine laws. Sophocles employs the Chorus to symbolize the general public’s attitude that conforms because of fear, while undermining divine law. In addition Haimon, who is in love and engaged to Antigone, asks “Shouldn’t her fate be golden glory? / isn’t she worthy?” (Sophocles 846). This demonstrates how Haimon is fearful for Antigone’s life and desperately hoping his father, Kreon will turn his resolve to bury Antigone alive. Kreon is too fixed in his determination and loyalties to the state and is unable to reason with his son. Kreon chooses his hard line of carrying out his decree disregarding his son’s love and pleadings. The dramatic conversation between Haimon and Antigone especially when Haimon says “It’s you I’m concerned about” (Sophocles 892) emphasizes Kreon irrational behavior. His clouded judgment is not allowing him to think rationally which one may feel fearful as to what his fate will be if he continues on this detrimental path. Once Kreon obtained the throne he displayed ruthless and unyielding dominion that clearly led to the criminal act of sentencing Antigone to be buried alive.
Though it is obvious how much of a villainous character he is, the audience still sympathizes with him. As the play progresses it can be inferred that although Antigone defied Kreon’s edict, the major conflicts that were introduced in the play were primarily brought on by Kreon. His excessive devotion to power characterized him as selfish by doing what he wanted to remain in power rather than doing what was best for the citizens of Thebes. Towards the end of the play the audience feels pity for Kreon as he tries to undo the damage he has done. Haimon shows genuine concern for his father when he says “I can see you’re making a mistake. / You’re a witness against yourself” (Sophocles 895), which makes one feel pity for Kreon because his irrational behavior is what is causing him to make decisions that in the end contribute to his downfall. Kreon recognizes his error through Tiresias, the prophet’s fatal predications, his son Haimon and the Chorus’s constant reprimand. Only then does he yield to the voice of basic humanity when he decides to reverse his earlier stance. He agrees to bury Polynice’s body and free Antigone from the tomb but his decision came too late, when he found Antigone dead and the rest of his family following behind her. This tragic occurrence evokes pity in the audience for Kreon because although he changed his earlier edict he was unable to save Antigone and the rest of his family which left him alone over the tragic consequences of his own fatal decisions.
Sophocles characterization of Antigone and Kreon highlight the central theme of the play, that excessive devotion and passion ultimately leads to one’s demise. Antigone and Kreon mirrored each other in their steadfastness to their devotions. Antigone to her brother and family and Kreon to his throne and rule. Through the audience’s catharsis, Sophocles teaches the dire consequences of his characters mistakes.
Work Cited
Sophocles. _Antigone_. Trans. R.C Jebb. n.d. 26 Apr. 2009. Print.
18 March 2014
Word count: 341
Reflective Statement: Sophocles’, Antigone
Reflective Statement Question: How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the Interactive Oral?
The Interactive oral on Sophocles, Antigone helped me gain a deeper understanding on women’s role in Ancient Greece society during the fourth and fifth centuries. Understanding the historical context of the play I was able to develop a deeper insight on how it was connected to Antigone’s actions which expanded my understanding of how really shocking Antigone’s character was to any audience during that time.
Women in Ancient Greece society did not play a role politically, socially, or culturally. Their main duty was to perform the traditional household duties such as: cooking, cleaning and sewing. In addition they were …show more content…
responsible for caring for their children. Women simply did not have control over their own life, therefore they endured many hardships. They were often excluded from any outside events that men participated in. Women’s social life in society were extremely submissive, their views and ideas were constantly pushed aside and overridden by the men. Ismene, one of the minor character in Antigone mirrors the traditional role of women in Ancient Greece society. Through the interactive oral I was able to identify a clear contrast between the characters Ismene and the protagonist Antigone. The differences between these two characters illuminates Antigone’s character as rebellious and her nonconformist qualities. Throughout the fourth and fifth centuries the discrimination of women was extremely prevalent. The interactive oral discussed the consequences for disobeying laws in Ancient Greece. I recognized why Antigone disobeyed the unjust law, leaving her brother unburied, and the divine law, burying her brother. Antigone chose to go against Creon’s policies out of love for her brother, which illuminated her non conformity ways. Creon, the tyrant ruler of Greece, expects men to be superior to women, which highlights his everlasting greed for power. I realized that Antigone’s actions by challenging men shows her undying love towards her brother, a love so strong that ultimately led to her death. Through the Interactive Oral I was able to connect with the historical and cultural context discussed that this play symbolizes women being as strong as any man.
Olivia Nunez
002307_
Written Assignment
March 20, 2014
Word Count: 1252
Fear and Pity in Antigone Achieves the Audiences Catharsis
In the Greek tragedy Antigone, Sophocles evokes fear and pity in the audience through the characterization of the tragic heroes to bring about the audiences catharsis.
Antigone, the protagonist and heroine, is presented as stubborn and unreasonable. These characteristics at first channel fear to the audience in that she might incur the wrath of Kreon. Later these same characteristics cause the audience to take pity for her impending doom and subsequent suicidal death. In a similar vein of pride and blinding stubbornness, we find Kreon who is Antigone’s opposing character as well as uncle and king. The audience will fear his unyielding devotion to the state of Thebes as he wields his power and condemns Antigone. Towards the ending of the play Kreon will draw pity from the spectators when he is left without family and because of his actions robbed of power and pride. This serves to highlight the fundamental theme of the play, which is that excessive devotion and passion for family and power leads to misfortune. It is through this misfortune that Sophocles achieves the audience’s
catharsis.
In the opening scene of the tragedy Antigone unlike her sister Ismene, is prepared to go against Kreon’s edict by burying Polyneices. She insists on giving her brother a decent burial and unlike her sister Ismene who wants to “keep this secret” (Sophocles 24) she proclaims: “I’ll hate you the more for keeping silence” (Sophocles 108). This provokes fear in the audience to what the future consequences will be if Kreon discovers that she defied his law by burying her brother. Antigone speaks of Kreon’s edict: “Whoever shall perform any prohibited act/ shall be liable to the penalty of death by stoning in the presence of the assembled citizens” (Sophocles 39) as being directed to her family. Antigone’s excessive devotion to Polyneices and his burial rights are born out of love and loyalty.
As the play progresses Antigone’s pride and stubbornness become more extreme. To Kreon, Antigone exhibits several behaviors: “rebellious” and “very hateful”. She shows her rebellious side and extreme devotion towards her brother through the arguments she has with Kreon, who ultimately controls her fate. Antigone says to her sister “He’s my brother and yours too; / and whether you will or not, I’ll stand by him” (Sophocles 52). This dramatic dialogue between the two sisters, shows how Antigone is willing to betray Kreon’s law by burying her brother, even though her sister advises her against it which demonstrates her stubbornness. This attitude is what ultimately arouses fear in the audience because her rebellious side is what leads to her misfortune.
On a different note, the Chorus plays a fundamental role in the characterization of Antigone. When Antigone is being sentenced to her death the Chorus proclaims “you go with fame and in glory/ to the hidden place of dead. / No sickness has diminished you” (Sophocles 972). The Chorus makes it known that Antigone’s life is coming to a tragic end, which as a result instills pity in the audience for Antigone. Her excessive love and devotion towards her brother and to do what she believes is morally just leads to her destruction. When Antigone approaches “the last path” (Sophocles 967) the audience fully comprehends Antigone’s fate brought upon her through her rebellious actions. They once again, feel pity for her because she is leaving a life of loneliness and entering into the “hidden place of the dead” (Sophocles 973).
Kreon’s strong rule instills fear on the Chorus and subsequently channels it to the audience. The Chorus, the group of male elders, along with almost all the citizens of Thebes support Kreon out of fear. Kreon, is solely concerned with his dominion of Thebes. He regards only the welfare of the state and is blinded by his need to rule. Kreon’s absolute control and power is channeled through all the characters and causes a reactionary chain that leads to his tragic end. Soon after the death of Eteocles and Polyneices, Antigone’s brothers, Kreon determines Polyneices’ an enemy of the state and decrees to deny him a proper burial. The Chorus initially supports Kreon even though they know this contradicts divine laws. Sophocles employs the Chorus to symbolize the general public’s attitude that conforms because of fear, while undermining divine law. In addition Haimon, who is in love and engaged to Antigone, asks “Shouldn’t her fate be golden glory? / isn’t she worthy?” (Sophocles 846). This demonstrates how Haimon is fearful for Antigone’s life and desperately hoping his father, Kreon will turn his resolve to bury Antigone alive. Kreon is too fixed in his determination and loyalties to the state and is unable to reason with his son. Kreon chooses his hard line of carrying out his decree disregarding his son’s love and pleadings. The dramatic conversation between Haimon and Antigone especially when Haimon says “It’s you I’m concerned about” (Sophocles 892) emphasizes Kreon irrational behavior. His clouded judgment is not allowing him to think rationally which one may feel fearful as to what his fate will be if he continues on this detrimental path. Once Kreon obtained the throne he displayed ruthless and unyielding dominion that clearly led to the criminal act of sentencing Antigone to be buried alive.
Though it is obvious how much of a villainous character he is, the audience still sympathizes with him. As the play progresses it can be inferred that although Antigone defied Kreon’s edict, the major conflicts that were introduced in the play were primarily brought on by Kreon. His excessive devotion to power characterized him as selfish by doing what he wanted to remain in power rather than doing what was best for the citizens of Thebes. Towards the end of the play the audience feels pity for Kreon as he tries to undo the damage he has done. Haimon shows genuine concern for his father when he says “I can see you’re making a mistake. / You’re a witness against yourself” (Sophocles 895), which makes one feel pity for Kreon because his irrational behavior is what is causing him to make decisions that in the end contribute to his downfall. Kreon recognizes his error through Tiresias, the prophet’s fatal predications, his son Haimon and the Chorus’s constant reprimand. Only then does he yield to the voice of basic humanity when he decides to reverse his earlier stance. He agrees to bury Polynice’s body and free Antigone from the tomb but his decision came too late, when he found Antigone dead and the rest of his family following behind her. This tragic occurrence evokes pity in the audience for Kreon because although he changed his earlier edict he was unable to save Antigone and the rest of his family which left him alone over the tragic consequences of his own fatal decisions.
Sophocles characterization of Antigone and Kreon highlight the central theme of the play, that excessive devotion and passion ultimately leads to one’s demise. Antigone and Kreon mirrored each other in their steadfastness to their devotions. Antigone to her brother and family and Kreon to his throne and rule. Through the audience’s catharsis, Sophocles teaches the dire consequences of his characters mistakes.
Work Cited
Sophocles. _Antigone_. Trans. R.C Jebb. n.d. 26 Apr. 2009. Print.