The Greek tragedy “Antigone” written by Sophocles, like any other tragedy deals with the downfall of certain characters and events. As the title suggests, the play revolves around Antigone, and her actions towards her society. Like other Greek dramas, the play consists of a prologue, the episodes and most importantly the Chorus. As we read more of the play and the plot begins to unwind itself, does the role of the chorus make any sense to us? Since the Chorus are there throughout the play, it makes the reader curious to know the role of the Chorus, how it is important to the development of the play as well as the Greek theatre. In this essay I will be exploring the role of the chorus, what purpose they serve in certain events and how they help to foreshadow the plot.
The Chorus in Antigone is made up of old Theban men, mainly because the young people died in the battles. They also represent in some ways the embedded patriarchal (male dominated) society that Antigone defies. They also lay the foundation for the occurrence of the incidents unfolding in the play, by outlining the background to the present actions. The Chorus at times seems to directly affect the action in the play. They assume different roles at different times. This is necessary for the progress of the tragic action of the play. In Greek tragedy, it was considered
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The Chorus connects the play to other myths and Sophocles uses the Chorus to expound upon the plays central themes such as morality, women, power, fate and free will etc. One such incidence we see in the play is towards the beginning when the Chorus describes the situation at Thebes and talks about the fate that killed the brothers. “And the common fate that slew them” This is seen when the Chorus says “Daughter of (Edipus ! Hapless child, of a hapless father! ” Here they bring out the character of Antigone by comparing her to her father by calling her passionate and wild and her actions to be a reflection to that of her
The Broken Mirror of Loyalty Antigone, a classical Greek tragedy by Sophocles. One of the most common ideas expressed by the play is loyalty and dedication, primarily pertaining to the characters Antigone, Creon, and Haimon. Loyalty is conveyed by Sophocles as twisted and abstract. Creon’s pride clashes with his self-proclaimed devotion to the state, while Antigone’s ideology of honoring her family conflicts with her sister.
More than any other character in Sophocle’s plays, Antigone shows an inordinate sense of pride and willpower. Antigone’s brother Polynices was killed in battle against the king Creon. Creon’s orders forbid anyone from burying Polynices after the war because he feels Polynices was a traitor to Creon. Antigone disagrees with Creon, however, and buries her brother’s body properly to be received by the gods. Each is certain of their own integrity; they each believe in the rightness of their position.
Creon, Tool of Despair Of the one hundred and twenty plays and tales Sophocles had written during his time, only seven have survived to today and Antigone a tale of the constant turmoil of the royal family of Thebes is one of those few ancient tales. Creon, the new king of the city of Thebes, strives for justice and absolute loyalty to the crown, however, after he discovered that an unidentified citizen had defied one of his recently announced laws, he inflicted his fury on himself and those around him. Creon is the tragic figure that functions as an instrument of the suffering of others and contributes to the tragic vision of the story, Antigone by Sophocles, as a whole by threatening his subjects and family with death, ignoring the thoughts of his elders and peers, and bringing the feeling of death to himself and also death itself to those around him.
The famous feminist, Gloria Steinem, once said,”Women are not going to be equal outside the home until men are equal in it.” This central idea of equality is relevant to the story Antigone by Sophocles. Considering the circumstances of the story, the minor character, Ismene, is conflicted with standing by the beliefs that men are overall rulers and powerful over women. Ismene’s emotions and mood fluctuates through the story in a horrible manner. To tragedy unto despair is a major theme in Sophocles most famous tragedy, Antigone.
What is worth mentioning in Sophocles’ play is that he not only showed the weak side of women but also the strong ones. For example, Ismene is the traditional role of women in ancient Greek—coward, fear of men power and feeble. For Ismene, "we must remember we were born women, not meant to strive with men" (Antigone). She even chose to die with Antigone while hearing her sentence, for she was afraid that she would be alone, she could not be able to fight against Creon, this men-dominant society. In contrast, her sister Antigone presents the “women power”.
INTRODUCTION: Open your argument to the audience and give them reason to listen on. I. Hook (Opening Statement): Get your audience’s attention! Consider a quote from the story. Are there any circumstances in which the law should be ignored?
In Antigone, Antigone, Haimon and the Chorus use the appeals from ethos pathos and logos in their attempts
I will also discuss how does the Chorus represents the Athenian audience. The role of the Chorus is like the role of a narrator. It gives detail and insight into the events and help to guide the audience. However, as Electra being a
But Antigone did so anyways knowing the consequences were going to be brutal. This is significant because the sacrificial death of Antigone, who challenged a male counterpart is basically inevitable. This play challenged the beliefs of women during that day and age, giving them the power to criticize and proceed against an opposing male force. Without the sacrificial death, Antigone would only consist of the overpowering actions of King Creon. Her decisions and actions on challenging him was one of the main themes of the play.
Gender roles play a significant part through ought the play Antigone due to the fact that men are treated on a higher scale than women. Sophocles portrays women as people with no rights nor freedom. Antigone is on a destiny for burial rights of her brother Polyneicis. Gender roles are expressed throughout the play Antigone by disrespecting women and men having power and freedom.
Sophocles’ Antigone, is a classic Athenian Greek play that discusses questions about the importance of following the law when one does not agree with it, and whether divine laws or man-made laws have more importance in society. While these themes are worth exploring, another interesting aspect of the play is the cruel treatment and punishment of the title character, Antigone, by her uncle and future father-in-law Creon, the king of Thebes. Creon’s harsh punishment, a parallel to the treatment of women in Greek society, can be seen in many of the dialogues of the play. Antigone is determined to provide proper burial for dead brother, Polynices, against the orders of the king, and goes to her sister Ismene for help. However, Ismene is distraught at the idea of defying the king (104).
The search for justice is never ending. Justice may be delayed, denied, or postponed, however, the search is timeless. To be just is to argue for fair rights for all. It is to be someone that will help the people of the community. However, many times justice is not sought and not given to those who need it most.
Jaanvi Shah Mr. Eyre English 9 March, 2015 Literary Analysis of Antigone John Foster says, “pride comes before fall.” As the action of the Sophocles 's Antigone unfolds, it is clear that the protagonist Creon has all the six characteristics of a tragic hero. Teiresias interactions with Creon help to demonstrate three of those typical traits: Creon’s noble stature, his tragic flaw of having pride and arrogance, and his free choice that makes his downfall his own fault. Creon, the King of Thebes, accords with Aristotle’s theory of a tragic hero beginning as powerful distinguished and important person.
In Antigone, the chorus is used to express the concerns of the Thebans who are too frightened by Creon’s power to confront him themselves. In the beginning, the chorus defends Creon’s laws, for they state that “[the] laws of the land, and the justice of the gods… / [will cause him] and his city [to] rise high” (Antigone 410-412). Although, when they learn as to how Creon enforces his laws, their views change, and they state that “even I [now] would rebel against the king” (Antigone 895-896). Creon’s abuse of power has become too barbaric to ignore, causing even his supporters to desire rebellion.
In the play “Antigone”, Sophocles uses many features that would classify the play as a Greek tragedy. The reason why this tragedy stands above many others is due to the use of various techniques that enable the reader to feel the emotions of fear and