confant Conflict of Passion and Reason in Sophocles' Antigone

Conflict of Passion and Reason in Sophocles' Antigone

"Ah Creon! Is there no man left in the world” (Sophocles page #). Greek theatre played a large role in Greece. The citizens were supposed to learn from the mistakes made in tragedies. The citizens should have learned what not to be like as a citizen or person. In Antigone, written by Sophocles, there are two main characters, Antigone and Creon. They are both strong willed and stubborn people. Both being unwilling to change, they both seal each other’s fate with their stubbornness, shortsightedness, extreme beliefs and their hubris.

Creon is passionate. Antigone is full of rage. They are so similar they cannot see eye to eye. Although they may seem quite different, Creon and Antigone share many similarities throughout the story. They are both very independent people. Antigone is extremely independent. She doesn't mind doing anything on her own. For example, in the beginning of the story when Antigone is talking with Ismene, she asks for her help. When Ismene refuses she is furious with her. Then Ismene decides to act independently. Creon is also very independent. He refuses to accept anyone's opinions except his own. When his son Haimon comes to talk with him he refuses to listen, claiming that Haimon is "girl struck" (Sophocles page #) and corrupted. Teirsesais comes and tells him a morbid prophecy. Creon will not listen to this either. He claims that Teirsesais has been corrupted by money, like many prophets at that time. He finally listens to the Charagous when reminded that Teiresias has never been wrong.

Antigone has no problem working by herself either. She demonstrates this when she slipped by all the guards that were protecting the dead body of Polyneices. ...

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... rather in a balance between the two.

1. Underline titles of plays.

2. When quoting always cite the quote by putting into parentheses the name of the author and the page on which the quote can be found.

3. Your thesis statement should state exactly what you are discussing in your paper. If you spend a paragraph on stubbornness, a paragraph on shortsightedness, etc, the each of those points should be listed in the thesis statement. Both being unwilling to change, they both seal each other’s fate with their stubbornness, shortsightedness, extreme beliefs and their hubris.

4. A lot of your paper appears to be plot summary. You do not have to tell the whole story when writing your paper. Quotes are enough to explain what is going on in the play. Concentrate only on proving your point and why your point is important to the play.