Arrogance, by definition, is an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities. The characters Julius Caesar, Portia, Cassuis, and Titinius in Shakespeares The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and the personas of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon have an abundance of arrogance, which leads to death. To reach this aftereffect, arrogance is exhibited to the point of narcissism, ignorance, or hubris.
Narcissism is an excessive sense of one’s importance. Referring to oneself in the third person is a narcissistic idiosyncrasy. In The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Caesar holds this trait. He exhibits his narcissistic personality whenever he refers to himself in conversation. Instead of saying ‘I am here to listen’, he says, “Caesar is turned to hear” (Shakespeare 1.2.20). Caesar believes that he is above everyone else, and this mannerism helps to illuminate his narcissism. Caesar also has a complete disregard for everyone around him. He treats them with no respect; “Ha! Who calls?” (1.2.16). The above quote portrays narcissism
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Upon arriving in Argos, Clytemnestra lays down a tapestry for Agamemnon to walk on to enter the palace for the first time in ten years. Walking upon this tapestry is an act of hubris as it places Agamemnon on the level of the gods. He realises that walking on the tapestry would be an act of hubris, but his arrogance clouds his vision again, and he walks upon the “monarchs path” without a second thought even declaring it an “arrogance; such pomp beseems the gods”(Aeschylus 37). Even though he is aware that the act he has committed is hubris, his arrogance allows him to forget, momentarily, that consequences are bound to occur. For example, Agamemnon is oblivious that the gods may in fact kill him in the form of his wife Clytemnestra, for committing an act of hubris. Arrogance is an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance, and whilst this definition has not changed, the way arrogance affects people
Playwright, William Shakespeare, in the play Julius Caesar, utilizes many instances of rhetorical devices through the actions and speech of Caesar's right-hand man, Mark Antony. In the given excerpt, Antony demonstrates several of those rhetorical devices such as verbal irony, sarcasm, logos, ethos, and pathos which allows him to sway the plebeians. The central purpose of Mark Antony’s funeral speech is to persuade his audience into believing that Caesar had no ill intentions while manipulating the plebeians into starting a rebellion against their new enemies, Brutus and the conspirators.
The English Dictionary defines hubris as “extreme pride and arrogance shown by a character that ultimately brings about his downfall”. Hubris is a fatal flaw in the personality of a character who enjoys a powerful position; as a result of which, he overestimates his capabilities to such an extent that he loses contact with reality. A character that suffers from hubris tries to cross normal human limits, usually violating moral codes. Examples of hubris are found in major characters of tragic plays. Like hubris, Odysseus’ curiosity leads him to lose sight of reality and causes the downfall of him and all of his men, Homers recall of the incidents with Polyphemus, the Laestrygonians, and Circe in the ‘Odyssey’ reinvent the idea of hubris, no
The idea of hubris is monumental in a plethora of Greek mythological works. In many ways the excessive pride of certain characters fuels their own destruction. This is certainly true with respect to the characters of Pentheus, Antigone, and Oedipus. All three of these characters demonstrate, through their actions, various degrees of arrogance that seem to undercut the traditional role of the Gods, and thus largely contribute to their downfall. However, it should be noted that while each of these characters demonstrate hubris, they way in which their arrogance manifests itself is unique to each character.
“There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance”-John C. Maxwell, American author. In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon, the king of Thebes, typifies the tragic hero and Maxwell’s quote. Initially, he makes a huge error in judgment that eventually leads to his downfall. Also, his pure arrogance caused to go against the will of the Gods. After he gets over his self-pride, his view shifts away from that of ignorance.
Hubris had a negative effect in The Odyssey due to Odysseus giving away his identity, keeping secrets from his crew, and losing his passion to get home. Just as Hubris caused Odysseus to make numerous poor decisions, hubris inhibits many people today from making wise choices. Hubris makes people have a false perfect image of themselves, which leads to arrogance and a distorted reality. These negative traits that come with hubris usually result in people’s pain and suffering. People need to start living more grateful and humble lives, so that humanity will actually progress and prosper.
Aristoteles’s “Theory of Tragedy” suggests that the tragic flaw in Sophocles’ play Oedipus is the King’s “self-destructive actions taken in blindness,” but a worse flaw if his arrogance. There are a few opposing views that stray from Oedipus being fully arrogant. First is that he took actions to save himself further pain. Second by putting himself in charge was the right thing to do as the leader of his people. Third Oedipus never tried to outwit the gods but used the prophecy as a warning to leave Corinth. All three opposing arguments shows a different side of Oedipus other than that of arrogance.
“There is no safety in unlimited hubris” (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the Cyclopes show hubris when dealing with Odysseus, and the Suitors show it when Odysseus confronts them at his home.
Unfortunately, this vague definition is more common to the general public than the official definition. This is why people with confidence in themselves are often mistaken as narcissistic. The truth behind it is, narcissism is the slightly less extreme version of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or NPD. While narcissism is mild enough to be considered a personality trait, Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental illness. Individuals diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder tend to think that they should be held in higher regard than others. These people consider attention and praise their birthright and tend to be easily angered when they do not receive it. Often, narcissistic people are also manipulative and cocky. These individuals are power-driven and usually have a motive for doing something. Unfortunately, most narcissists long for the spotlight, where they can receive the most attention, and will not hesitate to use the people they consider lower than them to reach their
Hubris is defined as excessive, personal pride. As Oedipus is about to learn the devastating truth of his origin and destiny, the chorus observes “Audacity sires the tyrant…” Creon accuses Oedipus of being irrational, and for allowing his pride to lead him into a journey that will affect his life forever. The greeks held reason to be the greatest gift of man, therefore a tyrant’s actions should be governed by reason. Hubris was not the essential cause of Oedipus downfall because of Oedipus’ prophecy, and Religious Incest. Hubris was not the essential cause of Oedipus downfall because of Oedipus’ prophecy.
Hubris, pride, the fatal flaw that customarily demises Shakespeare's tragic heroes. This wicked trait consumes individuals, deteriorating their morals and disorienting ones righteous logic. Turning any ordinary overachiever into a self-important, arrogant, narcissistic, vain fool. Although most could argue that having pride is merely being satisfied with one's achievements, it still bears an egoistic connotation. Pride, finding pleasure in one’s qualities.
Firstly, what is exactly narcissism? The word ‘narcissism’ was derived from an ancient Greek myth of Narcissus. Narcissus was depicted as a handsome young man who adored his looks very much. Many young maidens fell in love with him but he criticizes them for being too ugly for him. One day, he fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. However, he accidentally drowned himself as he tried to touch his reflection. Hence, the word ‘narcissism’ is usually depicted as a personality that reflects excessive of self-love on oneself. Individuals who are narcissistic are usually described as somebody who is selfish, snobbish or proud. This is because narcissistic individual processes information obtained differently than others. They believe that they deserve more than others since they think they are more superior in every aspect. Due to their sense of grandiosity, they will do anything in order t...
Attitude is everything. In Antigone by Sophocles, one of the characters makes the remark, “Think all men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride” (line 34-36 scene 5). Pride is being shown in many ways throughout the play. Sophocles emphasizes different ironies to bring out Antigone’s arrogance. Creon’s intelligence, but also to show his irresponsibility and foolishness.
The chorus sites hubris, the Greek word referring to mortal pride or arrogance, as being the cause of many bad fates. Someone guilty of hubris aspires to be more and do more than what the gods allow, resulting in severe punishment and a tragic destiny. As an example, the chorus recites the story of Ouranus in lines 168-175 of Agamemnon. They tell of his pride and arrogance, and how both ultimately led to his fall. They continue to list two of his successors who suffered the same fate. Hubris is also discussed in lines 461-470, explaining that, "The gods are not blind to men who... unjustly prosper." The chorus views this arrogance as a terrible offense to the gods, and warns all those who dare set themselves beyond Justice to limit their belongings to what they need and what the gods allot them. They offer this warning so that all people might "avoid this suffering," (Agamemnon, lines 370-381).
Hu•bris /ˈ(h)yo͞obris/ noun: excessive pride or self-confidence. Hubris is believed to be the most serious of all seven deadly sins. Some say it was the original sin that led to all others. A word with such loathsome synonyms like arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, pomposity, and egotism was seen as one of the worst possible sins in Greek culture. They believed that no matter your social status those who exhibited it were destined to fall down into damnation. Yet some Grecian heroes seemed to ooze hubris in the form of confidence or cockiness. There was a fine line between the two that they should never cross. One hero in particular showed this sin on more than one account. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus, shows the sinful trait of hubris, in the form of cockiness when he talks to Polythemus, his crewmen, his wife, and his son.
According to Collins English Dictionary, the definition of hubris is “an excess of ambition, pride”. Hubris is a person like Oedipus in this play who tricks himself. Throughout the story of Oedipus the king, Sophocles developed the story by building up the characteristic of each character from the start to made the story end as a tragedy. The protagonist, Oedipus, shows might and arrogance without acknowledging the truth. Oedipus’ hubris is responsible for the pollution that at the end leads to his downfall. His stubborn mind and blindness made him never thought himself as the murderer of Laius, a husband of his own mother, and are thirsting to find the truth later on.