Kemah Johnson
March 5, 2018
HUM 202 WW
Midterm Exam
4. In Sophocles, Antigone, the purposeful action is represented from the continuous play of Oedipus. When he blinded himself he left the throne to Creon because his sons were too young, but as time psssed they aged and battled with one another as to who should be king of the throne. The fought amongst one another but neither declared king because they both killed each other in battle. Creon is then king again and declares that one of Oedipus’ son, Eteocles, will have a proper burial but his other son Polyneices’ won’t. His burial would consist of being left out in the open being eaten by whatever finds it because of the disgrace he caused by going into battle with his brother. This is the start up of the controversy between Antigone and Creon because Antigone feels as though her brother Polynieces’ should be rewarded a proper burial as well regardless of what he had done; which would then be causing her to go against Creon and his lawful duties. As she proceeeds to give her brother a proper burial she is caught and imprisoned, along with her sister Ismene. This then creates a controversy between Creon and his son Haemon because Haemon doesn’t accept the fact that his father inprosoned her which causes him to run off because he couldn’t believe that his dad was abusing his power and treating him as if he was a nobody. Creon is then so worried about punishing Antigone that he buries alive forgetting that the Gods uphold the right to proper burials for all people and that his punishment will be the death of his own son; but Creon is so stubborn and ignorant he ignores the prophecy at first. He then comes to his senses and grants Polynieces’ his proper burial but it is too late because Antigone is dead and Haemon as well for his love for Antigone drove him to kill himself. And his wife has also kills her self after hearing about her son’s death. This is a ripple effect of the consequences of greed and power. This plot is a representation of what can happen when people don’t listen to others, when people don’t uphold their duties, and when people ignore their fate and go against their people. I believe that the theme off though Sophocles was trying to convey can be fate and free will. In other words, while each character had a free will to do whatever with their choices, fate is ultimately responsible for an acts in this play. He believes that characters can’t really be responsible for their actions because of their ignorance to the fate. Another one could be power and how it is abused and twisted for the liking of others. But a central overall theme could be the importance of rules and order. Everything is ruled by the Gods and uphold by the status of law and everyone will be punished if they go against that. Antigone was upholding divine justice while Creon was fighting against thy upholding his law as King(whatever law that was). The main characters in the play consist of Antigone (eyes and daughter of Oedipus, sister of Ismene, Polynieces’ and Estocles; she is the hero of this play and a devoted, passionate and fearless woman to her family and the Gods), Creon (the uncle of Oedipus’ kids, the new ruler of Thebes, the father to Haemon; he is a self-centered, abnoxious, ignorant, selfish and greedy man only interested in social order and making sure that everyone do as he says or he’ll punish them), Ismene (sister of Antigone, one of Oedipus’ daughter; she is a person who understands her place and role throughout the play and does her best to not indulge in any conflict. She obeys the rules no matter what and a foil to Antigone trying to prevent her from doing things she know will only cause her misery and pain), and finally the messenger. I included the messenger in this play for the simple fact of how it relates to the conflict. All Sophocles play have messengers that work under the Gods that preach about the divine laws, fate and destiny. You won’t find one play without one because in a Greek dramatic play they are all there to remind its characters of the importance of following the Gods words and trusting in their beliefs. The setting of Antigone that relates to the performance is in front of the palace, Thebes. As I stated before it is the continuous of the play Oedipus. The language used throughout this play Ancient Greek which is where the play is set and originated.
5. According to Aristotle, tragedies, comedies, and epic poetry differ in their use of imitation because of each representation of the real world in art and literature being different. In tragedies, there’s one central action presented which is restricted to only one place in time. For example, in Oedipus and Antigone. There’s only one huge climax being lead up in the plays and the plays take place outside the palace of Thebes. Also, it differs in terms of their length. Tragedy plays aren’t that long due to the fact that it’s only one unified action occurring in the play. Epic poetry, however, is longer for there is no limit as to what or when something can happen. But Aristotle points out three differences in which all tragedies, comedies and epic poetry relate. He states that their is a medium of imitation which is found in poetry. He states that poetry is presented through the idea of harmony, rhythm and language. It’s all about understand and feeling what exactly the poetry is about. This aspect won’t be found in tragedies or comdies because tragedies revolve around a hero with a dramatic flaw, whereas comedies revolve around making fun of things or people.Another difference is object of imitation. He states that all Greek art chooses to imitate men and make them seem as better than they are in real life by giving them higher values and morals. He states that in comedies men are made to be worse individuals while in tragedies better people. This exempts epic poetry because that aspect of poetry is to make people feel good not bad. Comedy is a representation of the bad aspects or insecurities of people. The third difference is mode of imitation. He states that in poetry a poet can chose to be whatever they like. They can take on the role as the narrator, doesn’t person or even third person but tragedies and epic poetry don’t have that advantage. While they are all different categories they should be judged by different standards. Comdies don’t include the same aspects as tragedy and epic poetry, but tragedies and epic poetry can be seen as similar but still different. They should be viewed by his three differences: mode, object and medium. I think one goal they all have in common is their ability to present the real world in the eyes of art and literature. They are all a narration of life. They all present a theme that many people can identify and relate with. I think that’s what makes Greek threats amazing in these terms. They offer a variety of theatre added versatility under their belt. Each aspect is represented differently through the ones of others. In tragedies, a hero is presented who is suppose to save the day and rid people lives of evil but at the same battling his/her own flaws and infidelities. Some people would identify with this because it happens in real life when people as other as great and heroic people but not seeing their everyday struggles. In comedies, a load is let off. People in this time was giving the opportunity to laugh at life and not take it so seriously. In epic poetry, one is living in harmony enjoying the nature of life and its course. The framework of these theoretical dramatic forms presented a way of life for its people and for us today as well.
6. Oedipus is older guy with clean Greek attire presented as King. He is the hero of Thebes yet blinded by his own fate and truthfulness. He is seen as a noble and powerful man that can help all that is in need. He is a man of his words and stops at nothing to get the job done. He is represented as faithful steward to his people and dignity. Although he is seen as a string public figure to his people, he posses weak characteristics because of his fear of his prophecy coming true. He tries to do everything in his power to believe his fate which causes him to be ignorant and not knowing. He is stubborn and refuses to listen to anyone because he feels as though he has all of the answers. He despises anyone or anything that tries to go against him which makes him a difficult person to comply with. He is a lover nonetheless. He Limoges and cherishes his city and family no matter what. Tiresias is a blind prophect who seems intelligent and knowing of all. He carries himself as a confident and well-respected man. He is a wise man considering that he is very old and knows so much. He is dedicated to the truth and telling it. He symbolizes power, truth, and a representation to those who choose to not believe in their fate once it is announced. He is ultimately the key in the play. He holds the truth of all kind which is a vital aspect in all Greek theatre plays. They are similar in terms of having to do things against their will. For example, Tiresias was subject to come to Oedipus against his will to provide him knowledge of the oracle. Oedipus had to accept his fate and accept the truth against his will.they are both similar in terms of stubbornness and ignorance for one another. They both don’t back down when threatened. Essentially they are both hot headed characters in this play that stand their ground no matter what. They are both loving, Oedipus his city and family, and Tiresias loving of the truth and having the ability to present it.
Antigone is different Ismene in terms of her being strong willed and minded. She is a bold person who fights for what she believes in and is heavily dedicated to her family and upholding the laws of the Gods. She is willing to die for what she believes in. She doesn’t take mess from anyone. She a spitting image of woman who respects her femininity. She pays very close attention to that and doesn’t let society determine the things in which she can do as a woman. She has a strong heart and is truly presented as the eyes of her father. She isolated herself from everyone and took on a heroic role for the sake of her family and she did it in no fear at all. Although she is strong minded her defiance does her no good because it ultimately led to her own death. Antigone strongly believes in human justice and doesn’t care for the consequences of her actions for being disloyal to Creon because she knows that’s what she has to do. She is protective of her family and goes a long way to show that regardless if people don’t understand.
Ismene on other hand is compliant listening and doing as she is told. She is a blonde and beautiful young lady represented as the good child of the family. She doesn’t much fight for her brother or even fight alongside her sister against Creon. She fears consequences and conflicts so she tries her best to stay away from it that’s why she refused to work alongside her sister and stand up against Creon. She feels as though some things aren’t worth fighting for and that one shouldn’t put themselves in risky situations. Ismene is a woman who believe that women should be beneath men and shouldn’t disobey them at any cost. I would characterize her as a person who is weak minded but also cautious at all times. They all similar in terms of their sisterhood. Although they are not alike in many ways, Ismene stands with her sister at the end and chooses to die with her taking on that responsibility too for Antigone’s crime. They are alike in terms of their determination and their nobility. In a sense their are foil characters do each other. Antigone demonstrates control over her own life while Ismene shows that weakness and carelessness is wanting to have the ability to control her own life as well. Antigone doesn’t give in to the events around her but instead tries to change them while Ismene drowns in the sorrow of her own life being helpless. Minnie Wright was once a happy and innocent girl that did a lot of activities growing up. She was a beautiful, free-spirited girl whose happiness was destroyed the minute she got married because her husband showed no respect or love for her. She was powerless and hopeless woman carrying on the bagged of unlove and sacrifice. She was put into a lifestyle that didn’t care for her, that didn’t reciprocate it’s love and happiness for her. She was a lonely woman who had no one to turn to in the times of her need. She lived in a society that deemed her unworthy. She lived in a society where men ruled everything and women had to obey their rules and do as told. But she didn’t allow herself to remain in that situation for long. She gained courage and heart. She found a reason to get up and change her environment and make herself happy again even if meang killing. She killed her husband because he killed the only thing that truly meant something to her. Her bird was the last symbolism of her happiness and life and she couldn’t stomach the feeling of letting her husband get away with that. She knew she had to do something. Ophelia was the opposite in not standing up for herself but allowing her circumstances to over power her. Ophelia was a loving and obedient girl, even possessing qualities of a child. She was innocent.She upheld her fathers wishes and did as she was told. She was a character that had no control over her life because she let everyone else do it for her which caused her a great pain because when it was time to fight and stand up for self she had no idea in how to do so. They are both similar in terms of being dominated by the men in their life. They both wanted the ability to love and be happy. They both were good girls that turned bad because of the cruelty they received from others around them. They both were controlled and deprived of their individuality.