Antigone: Protagonist or Misinterpreted Innocence? A literal “age old” argument that has sparked intelligent conversation since the BC era is still as potent as ever in Sophocles’ Greek tragedy‚ Antigone. Since the play’s origin‚ there has always been a toss-up as to who the true tragic hero‚ or protagonist‚ is. A popular misconception is that the character Antigone must be the protagonist due to her direct name being the title. Sophocles intends the play to highlight Antigone and her soon to
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Being the third‚ yet first written‚ of Sophocles’ Theban tragic myths‚ Antigone was written in or around 441 B.C. The setting of Antigone occurs in the palace of Thebes. Thebes is ruled by Creon‚ whose sister‚ Jocasta‚ was the wife and mother of infamous Oedipus Rex. Oedipus was King of Thebes until he expelled himself from the kingdom‚ leaving his children Polynices‚ Ismene‚ Eteocles‚ and Antigone‚ along with the throne‚ in Creon’s care. The two brothers Polynices and Eteocles die as opposing
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Two works of literature written in two different time periods with so many similarities‚ ‘Antigone’ by Sophocles and ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ by Dr. Martin Luther King is baffling to say the least. These stories both transcend time and really bring to life the emotions of that particular time. They were persecuted for their beliefs. “Antigone” by Sophocles and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. both shows civil disobedience as a way to take a stand for what the protagonist
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Lastly‚ Aristotle argues that tragic heroes come to the point where they realize their mis-takes or their fate. In the case of Oedipus and Antigone‚ both recognize their tragic destiny and that it is impossible to escape it. Lastly‚ Oedipus and Antigone represent tragic heroes by reach-ing the moment of self-recognition and facing the catastrophe of their actions. For example‚ after the disclosure of Oedipus’ real identity by Shepherd‚ Oedipus falls into despair: “Children‚ the god was Apollo.
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Sophocles’ play "Antigone" portrays an uncle‚ Creon‚ and a niece‚ Antigone‚ smashing heads when their own individual loyalty contradicts each other and their beliefs. The ending justifies how loyal Antigone is to her family while Creon is loyal to the state. Sophocles illustrated Antigone has hot-headed and her loyalty to her family right from the start of the play. The play opens with Antigone discussing the burial of her deceased brother Polynices with her sister Ismene. Creon banishes anyone
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Love is a very powerful emotion. In both Antigone and The Iliad there are many different types of love portrayed. The love one has for their child for example‚ or the love for a close family member or friend. There is also the love one experiences when they feel they have found their mate in life. In examining the excerpts from Antigone and The Iliad I was able to draw the conclusion that Antigone portrays the different types of love in a more realistic way. When I read The Iliad for the
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to say‚ that life is all about choices. With every decision made‚ comes a consequence. Consequences are not always a negative or a positive. But‚ greater choices lead to greater consequences. Once the choice is made‚ it cannot be altered. There are many reasons why people make decisions. They can act in a matter of love‚ or their hatred for someone can drive them to act in a way they never would have before. People also do not realize the consequences their choices can lead to. In Romeo & Juliet
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Antigone explores a contrast between the behavior expected of women and the reality of their role in society. In this society man equals power. Creon expects men to be the primary actors in society and women to take a secondary and somewhat “obedient” role. Antigone challenges these beliefs as she takes action and presents intimidating challenges to the men around her‚ making her masculine. On the other hand‚ Ismene is entirely of this society‚ the object of all men’s desires. She acts like a stereotypical
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The Reasoning and Consequences of Addiction Addiction is defined as a “compulsive psychological need for and use of a habit-forming substance” (merriam-webster.com). It is a debilitating disease that spreads like an infection throughout the life of the addict. Persistent use then consumes every aspect of that life‚ damaging the physical‚ psychological and social well-being of anyone within its grip (merriam-webster.com). Addiction does not discriminate. People from every race‚ age‚ sex‚ religion
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throughout the play Antigone‚ Creon ruled with an “iron fist‚” but undoubtedly over-exercised his powers when dealing with his punishment for Antigone for burying Polyneices’ body. He continually insisted that his law was in accordance with what the gods wanted. His stubbornness kept him from listening to Haemon‚ even though his son tried to persuade Creon from executing Antigone. Sophocles intentionally has Creon lose everything towards the end of the play to show the consequences of confusing his
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