The third scene of Sophocles’ Antigone is rife with situational irony. Antigone, who has just been ordered by her uncle Creon to be put to death for trying to give her brother a proper burial, is asked by her sister Ismene if there is anything she can do to help. Antigone responds that there is … Read more
The start of theater takes off with the Greeks in the fifth century B. C. The Greeks were one of the first civilizations to truly perform and produce plays. They created many of the earliest tragedies/comedies some of which that still exist today . The Greeks developed basic theatrical techniques as well as formed the … Read more
On August 16th, 2015, John Oliver’s news show on HBO, Last Week Tonight, shed a cutting light on religious ministers who devote the majority of the ministry through television broadcasting. Mainly Christian, these ministers, known as “Televangelists”, and can be either official or self-proclaimed ministers that enlist their followers into “seed faith”. Defining this term, … Read more
A chorus in a Greek tragedy is fundamental however in modern plays it is no longer a crucial element. The chorus consists of a small group of people, usually between twelve and fifteen, who account the events of the play, and foreshadow its development. They are meant to act as a character but are positioned … Read more
There has been much talk about Sophocles’ “Antigone” over the years. The play by Sophocles has been subject to many criticisms that delve into mainly the decisions behind actions exhibited in the play. In this review, “Antigone” will be broken up into sections. These sections are characteristics that like many of the characteristics of a … Read more
Upon reading Greek tragedies, many similar themes and tropes would often reappear as a way to tell the audience that the story which they are reading is a tragedy. One of these tropes was the seeking justice. Whether if the justice for another person or their own gratification, justice was a major influence in these … Read more
Machiavelli was an author and an aspiring political figure who had a strong influence on several aspects of Europe’s government. Due to his critical writings in The Prince, many historians see Machiavelli as a cruel and diabolical political figure whose true intentions were to gain power for himself. However, after looking further into Machiavelli’s political … Read more
Aristotle once said, “A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall. ” Sophocles’s Antigone was written in 440 B. C. which was the time when plays were written based on ancient Greece culture. The idea of a tragic hero was established in Ancient Greece, tragic heroes are … Read more
Truth is not intended to bring contentment but make people face the realities of their lives which can be unsettling for some. In Oedipus the King, by Sophocles this is demonstrated. Oedipus is given away as a child because his parents were told that he inevitably would kill his father and marry his mother. This … Read more
In Antigone, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, Creon is a tyrant and arrogant character who sees the world through the veil of his beliefs. When he decrees the punishment of death upon Antigone, he completely disregards every opinion that is against his own. By ignoring the views of others, he jeopardizes his strength as … Read more
In Antigone, two brothers communal the king status, which Oedipus their father, left for them. One of the brothers, Polynices, wanted to commence a war with the kingdom since he wanted the king status for himself only. The main ruler, at the time, Eteocles and Polynices fought each other, therefore wistfully killing each other. Their … Read more
Defeat, something that you experience when you lose something, whether it is that you lose someone dear to you, lose in a contest or a game, or lose a battle that was hard fought for, but there are different ways to look at it. To embrace defeat is to realize that your actions were immoral … Read more
One commentator has argued in “Antigone” that Antigone’s “view of what is right is as twisted as that of Creon.” Although I do not believe that either Antigone’s or Creon’s view is “twisted,” I do believe that their fate is a direct result of their extreme pride and stubbornness. In “Antigone,” Sophocles examines the conflict … Read more
In Sophocles’ play “Antigone” he writes about the same themes as in “Oedipus Rex” and places different characters into almost the same horrible, chaotic situations. Sophocles writes strongly about his most important key theme, the exploration of human limits. He also touches on the themes of discovery of self, wisdom through suffering, and the struggle … Read more
Blindness plays a two-fold part in Sophocles’ tragedy “Oedipus the King. ” First, Sophocles presents blindness as a physical disability affecting the auger Teiresias, and later Oedipus; but later, blindness comes to mean an inability to see the evil in one’s actions and the consequences that ensue. The irony in this lies in the fact … Read more
In Ancient Greece, life was full of complicated questions centered around the expanding field of science. Freedom of religion was encouraged to be exercised in the city-states and man was focused on more than the Gods or heavenly concerns. As a result many new ideals and beliefs surfaced. These new ideals and beliefs, though good … Read more
“Antigone” the play written by Sophocles deals with moral law vs civil law. King Creon has condemned Princess Antgione. Antgione went against the king’s decree and buried her brother Ploynices. Antgione now will be punished by starvation under King Creon’s decree. Antigone is a passionate, strong willed, and determined women. Antigone is a passionate character … Read more
Family is supposed to be the ultimate support, everlasting, and always ready to forgive. In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon is immersed in a power trip that alienates and even kills his family. He caused his son, Haemons death, his wife, Eurydices death and Antigones death. Creon views himself as the perfect leader, believes he is … Read more
Sophocles’ trilogy of Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone is a powerful, tragic tale that examines the nature of human guilt, fate and punishment. Creon, Oedipus’ uncle and brother-in-law, is the story’s most dynamic character. His character experiences a drastic metamorphosis through the span of the three dramas. Creon’s vision of a monarch’s … Read more
Through Sophocles use of foreshadowing in the play Oedipus Rex, certain truths are revealed to the reader, such as the fact that a lack of respect for fate can eventually bring on a persons downfall, by driving them to delusion. Oedipus is looked up to by all his kingdom at the opening of the play, … Read more
Aristotle defined a tragic story as the adventure of a good man who reaches his ultimate downfall because he pushed his greatest quality too far. Sophocles advocates the definition in the tragic play Oedipus Rex. He develops the play with the great polarities of fame and shame, sight and blindness, and ignorance and insight to … Read more
In Sophocless play “Oedipus Rex” Oedipus Even though “fate” seems to determine Oedipus’ life, . he does infact have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a … Read more
In the story of Oedipus the king, Sophocles beautifully demonstrates the imagery of sight versus blindness through the use of tragedy and ignorance. Oedipus is ignorant to his own incest, therefore causing the first instance of his blindness. The second instance of Oedipus blindness is the ignorance of his true parents identity. The third instance … Read more
In Ancient Greece, life was full of complicated questions centered around the expanding field of science. Freedom of religion was encouraged to be exercised in the city-states and man was focused on more than the Gods or heavenly concerns. As a result many new ideals and beliefs surfaced. These new ideals and beliefs, though good … Read more
The concept of sight is one of the major motifs throughout Sophocles play Oedipus the King. The play revolves primarily around series of events caused by many peoples insight or lack there of. Oedipus does not see that he is caught up in a web of cruel destiny that he can not escape. The gods … Read more
Antigone, a play written by Sophocles, became a classic due to its timeless subject matter. In this play, the Greek dramatist reflected mainly on civil disobedience. Antigone believes in individual rights over state rights. Creon, however, strongly believes in putting state over religion. The play not only revolves on these two political and religious issues, … Read more
