I am so sorry we won't be together to share this play! We need to read parts of it aloud and see how it builds to its fateful climax. Antigone is said to be the birth of the individual conscience in literature. Previously all actions had been determined by tribe or clan or family. Antigone, however, takes a stand on her own, doing what she believes is right, even though it goes against Kreon and his believe in the powerful State. He believes that if people like Antigone are allowed to have their way, anarchy will be loosed upon the world. He, like all dictators, fears anarchy more than anything else. They cannot see that what appears to be anarchy is often just the stirrings of people to determine their way. I think this is what we are seeing in Egypt now. Mubarak says anarchy threatens if people don't follow him. This is supposed to scare these people into obeying.
Well, Antigone stood on her own. She knew she must obey the gods and bury her brother. Kreon had decreed that no one could, because Polyneices was a traitor to the state. Antigone believes that all the dead are owed their burial rites. Ismene is afraid to participate with Antigone, and Antigone appears a bit heartless when Ismene comes along to her side.
I find it encouraging that Antigone is betrothed to Haemon, yes, a distant relative. I remember that Oedipus prophesied that no one would want to marry her because of her heritage, but Haemon loves her and does not hold her heritage against her. This is an early picture of romantic love, which is not usually shown, as most marriages were arranged and made for dynastic or business purposes.
I love Antigone, the play and the person. She is her own woman, one who would stand out today. Antigone made her decisions on her own. Esther did well, but did not act on her own. Mordecai told her what to do and she did it.
Poor Thebes! What will happen to it.......of course, it disappeared, only to be known in literature and legend. Antigone lives on, and will continue to live.
There were quite a few quotes in this play that I liked. The first one is when Ismene is talking to Antigone in the first scene. Ismene says, "We are only women, we cannot fight men, Antigone!" This follows the theme we have talked about in class of women's mindsets and their roles that women were not importand, women had no power or worth. Antigone goes on to say, "I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, It will not be the worst of deaths - death without honor." I liked Antigone's ourage and determination in this story. I also loved the Haemon's love for Antigone. I loved that this was a strong woman and a man loved this strong woman.
ReplyDeleteI do not want to piggy back on you comments and views of Antigone but I completely agree that this story was a fantastic piece of work. Antigone is hoeing a row for plays and films alike. I just watched a remake of True Grit and Mattie Ross reminds me of a 19th century Antigone. Mattie similar Antigone sets out to collect her fathers’ body after he to was murdered. Mattie like Antigone intends on righting the wrongs done and she has no intentions on taking No for an answer especially when the “No” comes from adults that see her as simple minded little girl.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I liked this one! I agree with what Annie said above about Antigone stepping out of the common role that women had during that time and did something very big. Albeit a play, and a work dreamed up by Sophocles it is pretty powerful knowing that it was performed during a time that women were not looked upon as leaders. I would have loved to be able to see this one played out in the day in which it was written. This makes me want to go back and read Oedipus Rex one more time to see if I might actually like it on the second go.
ReplyDeleteThis was a favorite of mine this week! I loved the way Antigone leapt to her brothers defense. She stood by what felt right and performed the rituals quietly, but was not afraid to face the consequences of her actions. It is interesting that she never once said that he was right in what he did only that he was entitled to a proper burial. Even so she was still convicted by Kreon just for disobeying his orders. When the sentry brings her in he shows that he has some compassion for her plight in his comment about the mother bird coming back to a stripped nest and crying for the stolen chicks. This is what Haimon is trying to get through to his father when he comes to Antigone's defense. I also liked that he tried to make his father see that he was on his side before he began his plea for her pardon.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this story also because it showed how far people are willing to go for their loved ones. Even though Anigone's brother was already dead, she risked her life so that his soul could rest in peace. She also stood up to Kreon which even the men in thebes were afraid to do. I also agreed with you when you said Kreon was like all dictators. He fed on the fear of the people because he knew that as long as people were afraind of him he could not be overthrown. Like oedipus, Kreon thought that he was more powerful than the Gods themselves. In the end that was his downfall.
ReplyDeleteA good story always contains a character who has tremendous courage in the face of difficulties or even certain death. Antigone is the hero of this story. Her moral character sheds light on the defects of others in this story. The King is led by his ego even to the end. Antigone is led by her own moral character and is unwavering in the face of death. The King, however, changes his mind when he knows he will be punished by the gods. He is still acting out of ego. This shows no moral character at all. His wavering only leads me to assume that he had little if no courage at all. His own pride led to his destruction.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great story! I knew for certain that Rebecca would love it considering the hero was a woman. The King in the end unraveled because of his pride. You would think he would have learned a thing or two from Oedipus. I enjoyed the fact that Antigone chose to give her brother a proper burial knowing that she would pay the ultimate price. I admire her bravery and that she took complete responsibility for her actions.
ReplyDeleteSophacles does it again. Need i say more? What an incrediable piece. I love the how the greek drama works. From beginning to end. I was wondering what else Sophacles has written. I find myself really getting into the plays. He really develops the story to the extent that you feel as it you are watching the play. I don't know if anyone else feels that way? It was awesome
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