Complexity In Oedipus, By Sophocles Antigone

The notion of challenging the state and more importantly, those in authority has not been a prevalent form of action in society. The principal reason can be attributed to the complex theme of “civic versus personal loyalties” (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). This theme has been an essential part of human civilization and Sophocles illuminates this in his renowned play, Antigone. Within the play, Antigone as a representative of the private persons comes into direct conflict with public power. Her audacity to correct the irrationalities that violate her moral code displays those in society who are willing to feud with the state. Her uncle, Creon who acts as the ruler of Thebes, makes dictations that Antigone fails to adhere. Thus begins the escalation of tension between a civilian and a ruler. As alluded to before, there are complexities that accompany the relationship between the state and a civilian. The

Understanding the basic plot of Oedipus is vital to know in order to understand how Antigone comes about in her predicament. Oedipus was Antigone’s father and had another daughter, Iseme, as well as two sons: Polyneices and Eteocles. Oedipus lived a cursed fate. His parents had abandoned their son based on their prophecy that one day he would kill his father and marry his mother. However, Oedipus has evaded his death as a baby and grew up fulfill the prophecy his parents feared. Oedipus killed his father Laius unknowingly in a quarrel and married his mother Jocasta when he assumed the throne of Thebes. In the conclusion of Oedipus, he had learned what he had done and in order to end the unbalance/plague that had erupted within Thebes, he left. He had given his two sons the throne of Thebes to share. However, they quarreled ultimately killing each other in battle. From this, begins the story of