Comparing Today's Media and the Chorus of Sophocles' play, Antigone
When you think of ancient Greece, what do you think of? Do you think of outrageous myths and impossible art? Do you think ancient Greek culture has absolutely no effect on today? What many people don't realize is that the ancient Greeks have immensely affected the world today. The chorus in Sophocles' play, Antigone greatly relates to Daniel McGinn's article, "Guilt Free TV." Antigone is a girl who wants to obey the gods and give her deceased brother a proper burial even though her uncle, Creon, King of Thebes, forbids it by law. The article and the play may seem very different but the media today is very similar to the chorus of the ancient Greek play, Antigone in many ways by informing, interpreting and making connections to today.
Just as Newsweek, a form of media today informs the public about whether TV is good or bad for children, the chorus informs the audience about the play, Antigone. In the play, the chorus narrates the play and tells the audience what's happening. "These two only, brothers in blood, face to face in matchless rage, mirroring each the other's death, clashed in long combat" (Sophocles 314). The chorus gives background information such as this to better understand the plot of the play. The chorus is like a reporter on the news or a writer of this article. The chorus in Antigone interacts with the characters by asking questions just as a journalist would do in an article or interview. "But now at last our new King is coming: Creon of Thebes, Menoikeus son. In this auspicious dawn of his reign what are the new complexities that shifting Fate has woven for him? What is his counsel? Why has he summoned the old men to hear him?...
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... media such as newspapers, TV, magazines, the Internet, and the radio. These are all similar to the chorus and choragos in Antigone, because they all inform the audience/public about the current events taking place. Without the media, no one would be notified about political events, world events, or even local events. Likewise, without the chorus, the audience would not be able to value the play as well. So next time you come across something from ancient Greece, don't quickly glance at it, but really take a look. Maybe you'll realize that a lot of ideas and culture that we have today were taken from the Greeks.
Works Cited
McGinn, Daniel. "Guilt Free TV." Newsweek November 11,2002: 52-59.
Sophocles. Antigone. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Prentice Hall Literature, Platinum. Eds. Eileen Thompson, et al. Englewood Cliffs: Simon and Schuster, 1991.
The film adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone portrays the text substantially well in several ways. The filmmaker’s interpretation encourages the audience to be discerning as their perception of the Greek tragedy is enhanced. The play becomes profound and reverberant because of the many interesting elements of production. These include musical score, set design, and the strategic costuming – all of which advocates an improved comprehension of Antigone.
Heaney, Seamus. The Burial At Thebes: A version of Sophocles Antigone. New York: Farrar, Stratus, and Giroux. 2004. Print.
Sophocles. Antigone. Taken from Abcarian and Koltz, "Literature: Reading and Writing the Human Experience." St. Martins Press. 1998.
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
The play Antigone by Sophocles is about reason and opinion and reveals how people use their voice to be heard. Antigone uses reasoning and opinions to express their moral beliefs and state laws in the play. People manipulate each other by using these terms to get their way by speaking out and standing up for themselves.
"Sophocles" In Literature of the Western World, edited by Brian Wilkie and James Hurt. NewYork: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1984.
Sophocles. Antigone. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1984
A key factor in the power of her speech is Antigone’s consideration for her audiences. The first of these audiences is Creon the king of Thebes. Creon is receiving this argument as an explanation for Antigone’s defiance of his law. Creon’s statement, “And yet you dared defy the law,” evokes this response, in which Antigone says, “Your edict, King, was strong,” (“Antigone” 1035 Line 56-59). This confirms that her argument is directed towards the king. The second audience is the people of Thebes. In the play, the chorus represents the citizens of Thebes. They are almost always present when the king speaks, and this scene is no exception. Anitgone forms her argument to appeal to the thoughts and emotions of the citizens.
Sophocles. Antigone, Oedipus the King, Electra. Trans. H. D. F. Kitto. New York: Oxford University Press, 1962.
The play “Antigone” is a tragedy by Sophocles. One main theme of the play is Religion vs. the state. This theme is seen throughout the play. Antigone is the supporter of religion and following the laws of the gods and the king of Thebes, Creon, is the state. In the play Creon has made it against the law to bury Antigone’s brother, something that goes against the laws of the gods, this is the cause of most conflict in the story. This struggle helps to develop the tragic form by giving the reader parts of the form through different characters.
As we age, we become more prone to a wide array of diseases, such as cancer and heart disease and treating these diseases most definitely helps us live longer but they do not seem to halt the natural aging process that eventually causes our bodies to weaken and wither away. New research suggests that, like several biological processes, the aging process could also be controlled and this could lead us to live much longer lives. However, commoners and bioethicists alike are often concerned about the bioethical issues pertaining to the life extension phenomena. They argue that the quality of life may be compromised in exchange for longevity and this may be due to intervention in the
Martin, Christine, Peter B. Bensinger, and Thomas F. Baker. Illinois Municipal Officers' Perceptions of Police Ethics. Chicago, Illinois: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 1994
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 Chorus in the play Oedipus has three basic functions. Firstly, to act as bystanders throughout the play, observing what goes on, reacting and offering opinions at regular intervals throughout the play (e.g. When Oedipus accuses Croon irrationally of conspiring against him, the Chorus says "To one who fears fall, his words seem good; O king, swift counsels are not always safe". In this role they are important to the play as they often offer the voice of reason during moments of heated debate, the voice of fear and confusion during Oedipus' downfall, which seems to mirror the audience's reaction and emotion in many situations throughout the play. The Chorus are also used as a sort of receptive audience for passages of description over what has gone on behind closed doors (e.g. After Jocasta has realised the truth, the second messenger describes the scene inside the palace to the Chorus: "Within the porch, straight to the couch, she rushed, her bridal bed, and tore her hair." ... ...