Moral Lessons in Antigone - 3823 Words

The play Antigone was written by Sophocles around four hundred forty B.C.E, in the height of the golden age of Greece. Theater was then, as it is now, a medium through which to implicate the outlooks of its writer and to examine moral issues, whilst providing entertainment. The subjects discussed through theater were often deeply rooted in the dialogue of the characters in the plays and struck the chords of the audience such that enlightenment could take place, and in that day and age this purpose was valued. Each episode and stasimon was laced with nuances of whatever message the author wished to convey; political themes were common, particularly regarding the foundations of democracy that were being laid, as well as themes of fate and†¦show more content†¦He uses this reasoning to justify his refusal to give a dignified burial to Polynices, whom he sees as a traitor. At first this seems plausible, but when his decree is defied, Creon embarks on a power trip. His admirable loyalty to his state regresses into self-centered control of it, as he plainly reveals in a conversation with Haemon: And is Thebes about to tell me how to rule? Haemon: Now, you see? Whos talking like a child? Am I to rule this land for others- or myself? Haemon: Its no city alt all, owned by one man alone. What? The city is the kings- thats the law! Haemon: What a splendid king youd make of a desert island- you and you alone. (who knew- Sophocles had a sense of humor! lines 821- 827). Its evident that part of the stimulus for his rampage is the authority that has been afforded to him- If this is your pleasure, Creon, treating our citys enemy and our friend this way...The power is yours, I suppose, to enforce it with the laws, both for the dead and all of us, the living (lines 236-239)- and that, when coupled with pride, this ability is a precarious privilege to hold. The first symptom of tyranny that Creon contracts is paranoia. After hearing the news that Polynices body has been uncovered, he says: No, from the first there were certain citizens who could hardly stand the spirit ofShow MoreRelatedAntigone by Sophocles622 Words   |  3 PagesIn the playwright Antigone by Sophocles, the characters reveal their values while exposing a life lessons through their actions, dialogue, thoughts ,and effects on others. Antigone starts with two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, being killed at battle. Creon, the king of Thebes, declares that Eteocles’ death will be honored and Polyneices’ dishonored. He instead will lay unburied to become the food of animals. When the play opens, Antigone takes Ismene, Antigone and Ismene are sisters of the deadRead MoreThe Women s Rights Movement856 Words   |  4 Pagesshines light on Sophocles believes is the drama Antigone. In Antigone, Sophocles cleverly constructed this play to get his moral lessons, religious views, and the values of wisdom. The drama Antigone begins with Antigone, her brothers Polynices and Eteocles have just died in battle, and considering at this point, their father Oedipus as died and their uncle Creon, has taken the throne. Creon deems Polynices as traitorous, and he cannot be buried. Antigone tells her sister Ismene that she is defying CreonRead MoreThe Conflict Of Sophocles Antigone1500 Words   |  6 PagesSophocles’ Antigone centers around a familial feud that develops between Antigone and Creon when Antigone decides to bury her brother and Creon’s niece, Polyneices. While Antigone believes that it is her religious and familial duty to bury her brother, Creon objects, citing the Theban civil war which took place right before the events of the play. Adhering to Greek literary tradition, Sophocles ultimately seeks not just to entertain the audience but also to teach a moral lesson, in this case aboutRead MoreSophocles Antigone Essay1702 Words   |  7 Pages Sophocles’ play â€Å"Antigone† illustrates the conflict between obeying human and divine law. The play opens after Oedipus’ two sons Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other in a civil war for the throne of Thebes. Oedipus’ brother in law Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because of his civil disobedience andRead MoreThe Moral Of The Story Of Antigone857 Words   |  4 Pagesmisnamed. Outside the city gates, Antigone tells Ismene that Creon has ordered that Eteocles, who died defending the city, is to be buried with full honors, while the body of Polynices, the invader, is left to rot. Furthermore, Creon has declared that anyone attempting to bury Polynices shall be publicly stoned to death. Outraged, Antigone reveals to Ismene a plan to bury Polynices in secret, despite Creon s order. When Ismene timidly refuses to defy the king, Antigone angrily rejects her and goes offRead MoreEssay on Antigone Conflicts856 Words   |  4 Pages Conflicts in Antigone nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;There were three basic conflicts that caused Antigone and Creon to clash as violently as they did. First, was the conflict of the individual versus the state, in which Antigone represented the individual and Creon the king, the state. The second conflict can be described as following ones conscience and ideals versus following the law strictly. In this conflict Antigone makes decisions based on her conscience and ideals while Creon is the strictRead MoreTheme Of Antigone 964 Words   |  4 Pages12, 2016 Theme In Antigone Sweeping dramas of rival families and of rival family members seeking control of a kingdom are very popular now. One obvious example is Game of Thrones, which continues to break viewership records and also engender controversy. Such sagas, however, are nothing new. Antigone, a play by Sophocles and the sequel to Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes, provides an ancient Greek perspective on the themes of power, duty, and law while providing a moral lesson about the consequencesRead More moralant Essay on the Moral Dilemma in Sophocles Antigone885 Words   |  4 Pages Antigone:nbsp; Barbaric King, Hopeful Princess and Moral Dilemma Antigone is a play that mainly deals with differences among characters that cause life long drawbacks and threatening resolutions. The drama is portrayed through Antigone and Creons characters who undoubtedly resemble each other. Although they try to be masters of their own fate and eventually succumb to grieving outcomes, they both seem to have the values of a tragic hero. Although, they have their differences, their battleRead MoreArticle Review: Antigona: A Voice Rebuking Power by Margaret E Montoya947 Words   |  4 Pagesunderstanding of Sophocles play Antigone. The article detailed a trip to Mexico to see a performance of Antigone in Spanish, but also discussed the legal aspect of King Creons decisions. In the play King Creon acted in ways that were considered to be completely in line with the legal system of the time, however, those actions were also cruel and went against what was believed to be a higher law: the law of the gods. This seeming inconsistency between what was l egal and what was moral not only plagued the peopleRead More Sophocles Antigone - Creon and Antigone are Two of a Kind Essay638 Words   |  3 Pages Creon and Antigone – Two of a Kind nbsp; A popular message of the media these days is that underneath the surface, despite our external differences, were all really quite similar.   Whether or not that is a universal truth, it certainly applies to Creon and Antigone, the main characters Sophocles tragedy Antigone.   They appear different outwardly but are two of a kind in personality.   Throughout Antigone, they are in almost constant contention with each other.   They are on opposite