Karl Marx, the German philosopher, once said “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” For me, this quote clearly describes the overarching relationship between Blackfish and Antigone. This analogy starts with Antigone, written about an oppressed woman against the fists of tyranny. That early in history woman’s rights was often taboo at places, and democracy was only recently established. Yet, Antigone went against the norm by focusing on a heroine that challenged male authority and nobility, thus making it revolutionary. Now, an unbelievably eye-opening documentary, Blackfish has been produced about a “company-despot” that values money over life and recognition over morals. In this story, the life of a killer-whale named Tilikum is narrated, recounting his crude behavior caused by crude captivity. Even though both Blackfish and Antigone evoked feelings of sorrow and pity in me, each accomplished it in separate ways, which is embodied by their differences in using historical context, their impact on society, and their emotional toll on me.
Truly, Antigone aroused less powerful feelings in me, but still hit home several important ideas, while also affecting many other people. Keep in mind that Antigone was written over 2,000 years ago, so it undoubtedly has less of a direct effect on us, and this is why it is less impacting. Every so often I compared it to a history textbook- something based on an actual event from history -since some parts bored me. However, Antigone made this up with sheer drama and intrigue that made me wonder about the troubling times people faced in the past: war, slavery, rule- even family issues –that rocked several eras. Nevertheless, Antigone was never fully acclaimed in Athens, and sur...
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...e them, which include differences in how they used their historical setting, their impact on society, and their emotional effect on me. Antigone and Blackfish both completed their goals in some ways, and while both stories did have an effect on me, Blackfish was more gripping. The stories almost mirror each other, and share the same qualities, and this is why they are so related. In fact, the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.” Both Antigone and Tilikum were heroes, and that’s important, but what truly completes the drama and its impact is the certain elements it possesses. By emphasizing certain elements in dramatic texts like Blackfish and Antigone, they have the power to change people, change communities, and change the world. Antigone and Blackfish both did that, although with some small, profound differences.
Brad Moore, a famous athlete once said, “Pride would be a lot easier to swallow if it didn’t taste so bad.” In Sophocles’ well known Greek tragedy, Antigone, the main character undergoes immense character development. Antigone transforms from being stubborn and underestimated to courageous and open-minded. In reality, it is Antigone’s insular persistence that leads to her ultimate decline in the play as well as others around her. After the death of her two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, Creon becomes the new ruler of Thebes. With this, he grants Eteocles an honorable funeral service for his brave fighting. Claiming that Polynices was a traitor, he shows complete refusal to grant Polynices a respectable and worthy service. Clearly disagreeing with Creon’s inexcusable demands, Antigone declares she will bury Polynices herself so that his soul can be at peace. Entirely aware of the consequences and dangers of this action, which include death, she goes forward vowing her love for her family. Antigone shows strength and determination towards her brother. However, her growing sense of pride leads to her downfall as she sacrifices everything for her family. Antigone develops into an admirable character in which she portrays her defiance and courage, pride and open mindedness, and sense of moral righteousness to show vital character growth as the play progresses.
The hubris resonating throughout the play, ‘Antigone’ is seen in the characters of Creon and Antigone. Their pride causes them to act impulsively, resulting in their individual downfalls. In his opening speech, Creon makes his motives clear, that “no man who is his country’s enemy shall call himself my friend.” This part of his declaration was kept to the letter, as he refused burial for his nephew, Polynices. However, when the situation arises where it is crucial that Creon takes advice, he neglects the part of the speech where he says “a king... unwilling to seek advice is damned.” This results in Creon’s tragic undoing.
Antigone is a great Greek tragedy by Sophocles. The story is about a young woman who has buried her brother by breaking king’s decree, and now she is punished for obeying God’s law. There are many arguments about who is the tragic hero in Sophocles’ Antigone. Some believe that it is Creon because he also has the characteristics of a tragic hero. Others believe that it is Antigone because the play bears her name. Antigone is the perfect hero, to exemplify the meaning of a tragic hero. In order to determine whether Antigone is the tragic hero, one will have to answer the question, what is a tragic hero? According to Aristotle, “The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness, he/she is not perfect, the hero's downfall and it is partially his/her own fault, and the hero's misfortunate is not wholly deserved.” (Aristotle) Antigone is a tragic hero because she has a high social standing in Thebes, she neither good nor bad, and her suffering appears to be unjust and unfair to the audience.
Wiz Khalifa once said, “Never make permanent decisions on temporary feelings.” Some students may believe that Antigone was the tragic hero in the story, but the real tragic hero is actually Creon for many reasons. Some describe a tragic hero by whether they are heroic or born into nobility, but in the story he is portrayed as the antagonist. In the novel, “Antigone” written by Sophocles, Creon becomes the tragic hero by forbidding the burial of Polyneices, imprisoning Antigone for his own good and believing that he is the only one that can control the law.
In the play Antigone, both Antigone and Kreon could be considered tragic heros. A tragic hero, defined by A Dictionary of Literary, Dramatic and Cinematic Terms, is someone who suffers due to a tragic flaw, or hamartia. This Greek word is variously translated as "tragic flaw" or "error" or "weakness". Kreon's hamartia, like in many plays, is hybris - Greek for overweening pride, arrogance, or excessive confidence. Kreon's hybris causes him to attempt to violate the laws of order or human rights, another main part of a tragic hero. Also, like all tragic heroes, Kreon suffers because of his hamartia and then realizes his flaw.
Antigone is a tragedy. In the end Antigone is killed, two people commit suicide and the king goes crazy. All of this was because of the king’s pride. In Knight a fifteen year old boy is trying to survive a concentration camp. His mother and sisters are killed and he doesn’t know, and his dad is slowly dying of disease. Things are worse in Knight. In Antigone pride leads to the downfall of the king. In knight after the Jews are freed people ignored the Holocaust. People still don’t believe the Holocaust happened. In Antigone the king is punished, for his excessive pride, with the suicide of his wife and son and his own madness. The high r...
After her mother committed suicide, her father died and her brothers fought until they killed each other, Antigone projects her strong character with interesting ways of showing it. As the main character with strong values and a stubborn way, she follows the laws of god, without minding the consequences. Antigone is a strong willed woman who wins the respect of the audience by the inner strength and resistance of manipulation she has, showing the potential of human kind. She becomes a heroine with noble qualities of mind, heart and soul because she is willing to sacrifice her life, doing what she believes it is right. With a sense of family ties, she is an ideal for humanity, the issue is that she must burry her brother Polynices with an appropriate ceremony since she believes it is the last right for every human being.
After the arguments above, readers should recognize that Creon is the tragic hero of Antigone. Creon and Antigone are both main person of the play, but Creon more of a tragic hero than Antigone. Creon’s dominance in society, his high rank, and his tragic flaw self-pride helps prove this topic. Because of Creon’s sophisticated characteristics and position in the story, it makes Antigone’s character seem less of a major character. Almost every reader thinks that since Antigone is the protagonist, and the main character she is definitely the tragic hero. Creon is the tragic hero of the Greek Tragedy, Antigone because of his dominance, high rank, and self-pride.
If you were told not to do something, even if you knew it was the right thing to do, would you go ahead and do it anyway? The Play Antigone was written by the Greek author and playwright, Sophocles. The Story of Antigone takes place in Ancient Greece, about a young woman who has lost her both of her brothers, and is told by her King to not give her brother, Polyneices a proper burial. It is important to follow the laws of government, but sometimes, when you know that something is morally right, just like Antigone did, one must be able to make that decision, even if it goes against the law.
The play Antigone by Sophocles shows a conflict between the King Creon and Antigone. This conflict eventually leads to the destruction of the house of Creon. Upon closer analysis, it is obvious that Creon caused this to happen himself. There is an old saying that power corrupts and Creon has fallen victim to power.
Antigone was a selfless person with pride as a strong characteristic of her personality. She possibly had feelings of loneliness and anger from the way society has looked upon her family from their past. It took a strong willed person who has no fear of the repercussions to stand up to a king as she did. To make everything all the worst she stood up to a king who was her Uncle and she being a female back in those time, standing up and speaking out for herself was not heard of.
In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone and Ismene’s straining relationship is held together by a thin thread. Antigone’s father exiles himself then dies. Her brothers’ become the kings; Polyneices deceives them and joins the offenders. Etocles and Polynieces fight and they both die. Creon becomes king and gives Etocles a warrior burial while Polynieces was left for the buzzards. Antigone asks Ismene to help her, Ismene says no, so Antigone does it herself. Creon sentences Antigone to death, she kills herself and Haemon (Creon’s son/Antigone’s fiancé) kills himself. Creon’s wife kills herself receiving the news from the messenger, leaving Creon and Ismene alone. Antigone loves her sister but what type of relationship is there between Antigone and Ismene?
In order for Antigone to be the tragic character, she first must be a good
The play “Antigone” by Sophocles displays many qualities that make it a great tragedy. A tragedy is defined as a dramatic or literary work in which the principal character engages in a morally significant struggle ending in ruin or profound disappointment. In creating his tragedy “Antigone”, Sophocles uses many techniques to create the feelings of fear and pity in his readers. This in turn creates an excellent tragedy.
In conclusion, Antigone is a story that embodies what feminist texts are. Its strong and defiant female lead champions the fact that men aren’t the only ones who can be powerful, respectable, and the ones who make a difference. Antigone's strong feminist stance shows how her individual ideas and actions can be very effectual. Antigone's story is very influential and inspirational to many women around the world, and more people should look up to her, rather than down upon