Antigone - in the Action - 1889 Words

In the Action One of the most important characters in Sophocles’ Antigone is actually a group of individuals. The chorus consists of a group of Theban elders, and they serve as the voice of the people. These men are considered the wisest in all of Thebes. â€Å"Their attitude to what is going on is always shaped by their responsibilities and special interest of their position† (Kirkwood 3). The chorus is not attached to any one character specifically; it reacts to its own thoughts and emotions (3). The chorus is often used to create breaks in the scenes of plays, but in Antigone, the chorus serves a greater purpose then that of a segue. It is seamlessly integrated into the play, which allows the chorus to become highly personal and†¦show more content†¦The chorus cannot judge their actions based on right and wrong, because the gods control human actions. Antigone is deluded by the gods (Gardiner 90). â€Å"The gods lure a man’s mind forward to disaster, and he thinks evil’s something good† (Sophocles 621-623). The evil in this case is not made clear, whether it be the burial of the traitorous Polyneices or the defiance to Creon’s edict. The specific evil committed does not matter, because the chorus believes that the gods rule the will of the people entirely (Gardiner 90). This becomes the basis for its justification of Creon’s decision to put Antigone to death. The chorus justifies their support of Creon by blaming Antigone’s plight on the family curse. The chorus originally refers to Antigone as the unfortunate daughter of an unfortunate father, but later the men refer to her as her father’s daughter (Adams 55). This subtle change of words implies that the chorus believes the curse of Oedipus has been passed down to his daughters, and Antigone can do nothing to prevent her downfall. During the argument between Haemon and Creon, the chorus’ role as a character begins to grow. The ch orus functions as a third party observer with a strong bias towards the king of Thebes. Creon’s initial arguments impress the chorus, for they are steadfast supporters of the throne. Creon argues that one â€Å"must obey whatever man the city puts in charge, no matter what the issueShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Antigone Actions Were Just 1254 Words   |  6 Pages Buttkick High School Debate Speech: â€Å"Antigone’s Actions Were Just† While one can argue against the law of the gods and the laws of man, there is never a clear answer, as to which one is superior. In defense of her position, Antigones decision to bury her brother was justified because the laws of the gods, as well as respect for the deceased, triumph over the laws of the state. Morals are often independent and separate from human laws, but they should always be followed. Creon had no right to giveRead MoreAntigone s Actions Cause A Political Change1294 Words   |  6 Pages It is often supposed that Antigone’s actions cause a political change in the government; Creon will become a new and improved leader after the tragedies he had to suffer through. While some may argue that Antigone’s actions cause a political change in the government, ultimately there is no revolution because the leader never changes. After seeing his wife dead, Creon says, â€Å"I killed her, I can own no alibi: The guilt is wholly mine† (Sophocles 28). This quote shows how guilty Creon feels about theRead MoreHow Morals Are Thrown Around Through The Actions And Speeches Of The Characters Creon And Antigone1213 Words   |  5 PagesIn the tragedy â€Å"Antigone† many ideas of morals are tossed around through the actions and speeches of the characters Creon and Antigone. Though these morals seem logical at first, it can later be seen that these two characters represent an over fixation on singular ideas, or morals, of life when it is taken to the extreme. This close mindedness ultimately leads to these character’s downfalls with Creon revealing that his moral extreme is the â€Å"political sphere† of life and Antigone, the â€Å"private sphere†Read MoreEssay about The Greek Gods Did Not Think Before They Acted1615 Words   |  7 PagesHeroes are often individuals who are revered for their noble actions, courageous deeds, or simply remarkable feats. They are remembered and commended throughout their life span and after their passing as they touch the people around them in a positive manner. Comparable to modern day heroes, the heroes presented in the Greek tragedies in 400 B.C are also dignified and highly recognized. However, by elaborating the imperfections of the man or the woman and the resulting problems, Greek tragedies oftenRead More Antigone the Tragic Hero Essay929 Words   |  4 Pagescharacter. In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone follows her own beliefs by giving her brother a proper burial, even if sh e has to break the law of King Creon. Because of her innocent actions, Antigone is punished unjustly and unfairly. Through her risky and unselfish actions, ability to follow her own beliefs, and perseverance Antigone is the tragic hero of this play. Furthermore, Antigone makes many important and appropriate decisions through her risky and unselfish actions. When she buriesRead MoreAntigone 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 MoreSophocles Antigone : The Third Of The Three Theban Tragic Plays1106 Words   |  5 PagesSophocles’s play, Antigone is the third of the three Theban tragic plays and was written around 440 B.C. and is still well known today. Sophocles s play Antigone tells a tragic story abo ut family honor and a sister’s love for her brothers. After Antigone’s two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles died in battle, Creon became the new leader of Thebes. Creon orders that Eteocles have a proper burial while Polynices’s body remain unburied, simply left to rot. Antigone refuses to let her brother’s bodyRead MoreThe Production Of Antigone By Peta Tait Essay1708 Words   |  7 PagesThe production of Antigone by Company B reviewed by Peta Tait is correct in multiple instances even though the production has an incorrect central conflict. Company B’s production is correct when Tait explains how it portrays why Creon did not bury Polyneices’ body and just left it out to the animals instead (71). The production is also correct when implying why Creon treats Antigone and Ismene badly as if they have the dignity of animals (73). By looking at Sophocles’ Antigone, it portrays CreonRead MoreEssay on Sophocles: Family vs. Law890 Words   |  4 Pagesplay, Antigone, the author Sophocles presents situations where the characters have to choose between their family and the law. The characters must choose what is more important to them, their family or obeying the laws of Thebes. Throughout the play, Sophocles presents a strong theme of family values and the importance of it through the actions of Antigone, Creon and Haimon. Antigone, placed in many situations throughout the play, has to choose between her family and the law. Antigone choosesRead MoreThoreau Civil Disobedience Analysis963 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Civil Disobedience,† Thoreau makes points that clearly justify Antigone’s actions. One such case is when Antigone goes to give her brother a proper burial. Another one of these cases occurs when Antigone is put into jail for being honorable. Finally, an example of Thoreau’s idea of civil disobedience is epitomized when Antigone refuses allegiance to a government that she views as unjust. According to Thoreau, Antigone’s actions were just when she went to bury her brother despite Creon decreeing that