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Is Antigone a Study of Human Actions, with Complex Emotions. Why?
Sophocles play Antigone is a great example of an Ancient Greek poem. This tragedy is full of questions that were important for people a long time ago and did not lose its actuality until now. The main heroes are searching for truth – should they follow their hearts and unwritten rules of society or listen to decisions of kings and rulers? Sophocles play shows the whole range of people’s emotions – love for family, anger, pain from losing close people, and desperation.
Each character of Sophocles tragedy fights with his fears and prejudice. Internal conflict tors apart the main heroine of the play. Antigone has to go against society and disobey decree of her uncle Creon, in order to follow her family duty and the words of the ancestors. She truly believes that Polyneices has to be buried according to all the rules and traditions. Antigone is shown as a brave woman, who stays faithful to her believes, even knowing that she can die. “But I will bury him [Polyneices]; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down With him in death, and I shall be as dear To him as he to me” (Sophocles 55-58). She cannot see anything wrong in her actions; she believes her crime is “pure” and will be forgiven by gods and people.
Creon is shown as a cruel dictator, who put law and government higher than fear for gods and respect to traditions. He is listening neither to Antigone nor his son Haemon. He believes in what he is doing and does not have mercy even to his niece. He realized his mistakes only after losing everyone he loves – his son and wife. “Big words are always punished, And proud men in old age learn to be wise” (1041-1042) – these words show that Creon gains his wisdom only through the taste of loss and suffering.
Play “Antigone” is a reflection of that time society. Sophocles perfectly described heroes’ inner conflicts. It is a real study of human actions, the story of internalfight and a great book of people’s emotions.
Works Cited
Sophocles. Antigone. An English Version by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald, 1 st ed., Brace and company, 1939.
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441 Years Before Christ
A very very long time ago and very specific. - slc :D slc