Sophocles Antigone Essay Example For Students

Sophocles Antigone Essay A monologue from the play by Sophocles NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from Greek Dramas. Ed. Bernadotte Perrin. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1904. CREON: Yea, this, my son, should by thy hearts fixed lawin all things to obey thy fathers will. Tis for this that men pray to see dutiful children grow up around them in their homesthat such may requite their fathers foe with evil, and honour, as their father doth, his friend. But he who begets unprofitable childrenwhat shall we say that he hath sown, but troubles for himself, and much triumph for his foes? Then do not thou, my son, at pleasures beck, dethrone thy reason for a womans sake; knowing that this is a joy that soon grows cold in clasping armsan evil woman to share thy bed and thy home. For what wound could strike deeper than a false friend? Nay, with loathing, and as if she were thine enemy, let this girl go to find a husband in the house of Hades. For since I have taken her, alone of all the city, in open disobedience, I will not make myself a liar to my peopleI will slay her. So let her appeal as she will to the majesty of kindred blood. If I am to nurture mine own kindr ed in naughtiness, needs must I bear with it in aliens. He who does violence to the laws, or thinks to dictate to his rulers, such a one can win no praise from me. No, whomsoever the city may appoint, that man must be obeyed, in little things and great, in just things and unjust; and I should feel sure that one who thus obeys would be a good ruler no less than a good subject, and in the storm of spears would stand his ground where he was set, loyal and dauntless at his comrades side. But disobedience is the worst of evils. This it is that ruins cities; this makes homes desolate; by this, the ranks of allies are broken into headlong rout: but, of the lives whose course is fair, the greater part owes safety to obedience. Therefore we must support the cause of order, and in no wise suffer a woman to worst us. Better to fall from power, if we must, by a mans hand; then we should not be called weaker than a woman. We will write a custom essay on Sophocles Antigone specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Sophocles Antigone Essay Example For Students Sophocles Antigone Essay Sophocles AntigoneThe debate over who is the tragic hero in Antigone continue on to this day. The belief that Antigone is the hero is a strong one. There are many critics who believe, however, that Creon, the Ruler of Thebes, is the true protagonist. I have made my own judgments also, based on what I have researched of this work by Sophocles. Antigone is widely thought of as the tragic hero of the play bearing her name. She would seem to fit the part in light of the fact that she dies in doing what is right. She buries her brother without worrying what might happen to her. She Takes into consideration death and the reality that may be beyond death (Hathorn 59). Those who do believe that Antigone was meant to be the true tragic hero argue against others who believe that Creon deserves that honor. They say that the Gods were against Creon, and that he did not truly love his country. His patriotism is to narrow and negative and his conception of justice is too exclusive to be dignified by the name of love for the state (Hathorn 59). These arguments, and many others, make many people believe the Antigone is the rightful protagonist. We will write a custom essay on Sophocles Antigone specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Many critics argue that Creon is the tragic hero of Antigone. They say that his noble quality is his caring for Antigone and Ismene when thier father was persecuted. Those who ezd behind Creon also argue that Antigone never had a true epiphany, a key element in being a tragic hero. Creon, on the other hand, realized his mistake when Teiresias made his prophecy. He is forced to live, knowing that three people are dead because of his ignorance, which is a punishment worse than death. My opinion on this debate is that Antigone is the tragic hero. She tries to help her brother without worrying about what will happen to her. She says, I intend to give my brother burial. Ill be glad to die in the attempt, -if its a crime, then its a crime that God commands (Sophocles 4). She was also punished for doing what was right. Her epiphany came, hidden from the audience, before she hung herself. Creons nobleness of taking in young Antigone and Ismene is overshadowed by his egotistical nature. He will not allow justice to come about simply because he wants to protect his image. He says, If she gets away with this behavior, call me a woman and call her a man (Sophocles 13). These elements prove that Antigone is the tragic hero. Creon, underezding his ignorance may lead one to believe that he is the true protagonist. But, if you define the word protagonist you would find that a protagonist is one who is a leader or supporter of a cause. Antigone is in support of her own actions in the burial of her brother Polyneices. She entrusts that she is doing what the Gods want, contrary to the belief of Creon. Many readers and critics may say Creon suffered greator hardships. Some may say Antigone never had an epiphany. Who would underezd it if their own brother were left to the birds and dogs. There would be no rational thinking involved in a act like this. These are arguments envolved in deciding who is the tragic hero of Antigone. Critics, to this day, still argue about who is the tragic hero of Antigone. Many say that Antigone is the heroin. Others say that it is Creon. My research favors Antigone as the perfect protagonist. No matter who the reader sides with, it is agreed by most that there is a valid argument either way, in light of the fact that they both endure great hardships. .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 , .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .postImageUrl , .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 , .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:hover , .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:visited , .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:active { border:0!important; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transiti on: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:active , .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height : 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left: 18px; top: 0; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97 .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0f4285ecb392bacd63c40cf363b35b97:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Electoral College (537 words) Essay