Questions on the Play, Once upon a Greek Stage
Annie
February 19, 2013
Oedipus / Antigone Response
1. What factors contributed to Antigone’s downfall, and does the end of the play satisfy the audience’s demands for justice?
There are different factors that contribute to the downfall of Antigone. Firstly, the fact that two of her brothers have been fighting to death for the throne has had a negative impact on her life. She has lost both of her brothers at the same time. Secondly, Antigone believed that her decision was following divine justice. For example, she once said to Creon “Your order was outrageous.” And lastly, she has been arrested and put into a cave for following her sense of justice has led to the downfall of Antigone. Despite the fact that Creon has taken back his words and fix what he did, everyone has died and hence, the audience’s demand for justice is not satisfied.
2. Referring to at least three tragic elements, determine whether Creon or Antigone is the more tragic hero(ine).
According to “Once upon a Greek stage”, we can determine that Creon is definitely the more tragic hero than Antigone via some elements: hamartia, hubris and catharsis. First, hamartia is basically when Creon suffered greatly because of his actions. That caused the lost of his family and the support of his country. Next, the tragedy concept of hubris is largely demonstrated through Creon. For instance, as the king of Thebes, the people all looked to him for the answer. This made him believed that he was always right and everything had to go in the way he wanted to: “I am King of Thebes, Antigone. I have a duty as a monarch.” Moreover, he also believed that his decision was right in the punishing of Antigone, despite that fact that she was engaged to Haemon, Creon’s son. “A broken law is a broken law, and lawbreakers must be punished. Antigone will be no exception.” In this case, his sense of pride was the tragic flaw that led him to his downfall. At the end, Creon finally realized that his pride
February 19, 2013
Oedipus / Antigone Response
1. What factors contributed to Antigone’s downfall, and does the end of the play satisfy the audience’s demands for justice?
There are different factors that contribute to the downfall of Antigone. Firstly, the fact that two of her brothers have been fighting to death for the throne has had a negative impact on her life. She has lost both of her brothers at the same time. Secondly, Antigone believed that her decision was following divine justice. For example, she once said to Creon “Your order was outrageous.” And lastly, she has been arrested and put into a cave for following her sense of justice has led to the downfall of Antigone. Despite the fact that Creon has taken back his words and fix what he did, everyone has died and hence, the audience’s demand for justice is not satisfied.
2. Referring to at least three tragic elements, determine whether Creon or Antigone is the more tragic hero(ine).
According to “Once upon a Greek stage”, we can determine that Creon is definitely the more tragic hero than Antigone via some elements: hamartia, hubris and catharsis. First, hamartia is basically when Creon suffered greatly because of his actions. That caused the lost of his family and the support of his country. Next, the tragedy concept of hubris is largely demonstrated through Creon. For instance, as the king of Thebes, the people all looked to him for the answer. This made him believed that he was always right and everything had to go in the way he wanted to: “I am King of Thebes, Antigone. I have a duty as a monarch.” Moreover, he also believed that his decision was right in the punishing of Antigone, despite that fact that she was engaged to Haemon, Creon’s son. “A broken law is a broken law, and lawbreakers must be punished. Antigone will be no exception.” In this case, his sense of pride was the tragic flaw that led him to his downfall. At the end, Creon finally realized that his pride