Human nature plays an essential role in all of Greek drama. It is usually the backbone of most plots and also the basis behind the moral lessons taught in each play. Human nature is an especially significant aspect of the Greek drama Antigone, by Sophocles. In this drama, Sophocles uses his main character, Antigone, to display his notion of human nature. There are numerous aspects of human nature, although Sophocles chooses to focus mainly on a few of them. Religion, importance of family, and the role of gender are all aspects of human nature that are emphasized throughout this great tragedy.
Religion in Greek drama refers to a belief in a polytheistic hierarchy, meaning that there are numerous gods with different levels of authority and influences. In the play Antigone, religion steps in to intensify the struggle between Antigone and her uncle, Creon, who is also the King of Thebes. Although these two characters both believe in the idea of a polytheistic religion, their opinions differ on the amount of influence the gods should have on everyday society. Creon believes that all people should obey the laws he has established, even if other beliefs, ethical or spiritual, state otherwise. Antigone, on the other hand, holds the beliefs of the gods in the highest regards. She feels that the laws of the gods should be obeyed above all other laws, especially in regards to family.
These two conflicting viewpoints set forth an often-popular question in human nature; do gods in Greek religion really have absolute power over mortals? In the play Antigone, the answer would be yes. One example of this is when Antigone defies the will of Creon to provide her brother a proper burial. Once Antigone is accused of committing this insubordination, she defends herself by saying, "Of course I did it. It wasn't Zeus, not in the least who made this proclamation-not to me. Nor did I think your edict had such force that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods, the great unwritten, unshakable traditions" (499-505).
Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic. ... This is between Antigone and Polyneices. ... Antigone doesn't mind doing anything on her own. ... Antigone has no problem working by her self either. ... "It is my nature to join in love, not hate" (Scene II.118). ...
For example, in the production of Antigone, a male will play the characters of Antigone and Ismene, the two daughters of Oedipus and Iokaste. ... In context and in performance, the tragic heroine of Antigone is in fact Antigone, niece of King Kreon, sister of Ismene, and fiancé of Haimon. ... Prior to the beginning of Antigone, Polynices and Eteocles, the brother of Polynices, Antigone, and Ismene, engage in a dual that takes the lives of both. ... This person should have a mixed nature of both positive and negative qualities, and her errors and weaknesses should lead her into misfor...
Antigone's character is that of being her own person and is of moral character. ... Antigone wanted to defy the law and proceed to do so anyway. ... "Tyranny refers to the oppressive nature of the ruling class (men) on their women in a male dominated society. ... Antigone (from the grave) wins. ... Creon may have won by imprisoning Antigone, but he lost a lot more. ...
Antigone, in Greek legend, was the daughter of Oedipus. ... Could Antigone act as if she did not care? ... They built temples for their Gods, made statues to symbolize their Gods, and had a different God to explain things that we now say are an act of mother nature. ... , Antigone states. ... She sees that Antigone is caught and decides to take part of the blame for what has happened but Antigone will not let her. ...
Antigone buries her brother simply out of loyalty to her family. ... Antigone's actions were driven by her desire to serve the gods. ... When pressed by Antigone, she says how it is not in their nature to act, as they are "only women"() and therefore cannot possibly compete with men, because they are stronger and control the law. ... Antigone was doing this for family, and no one else. ... Antigone's actions are to be admired. ...
Stop up th' access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purposeCome to my woman's breasts And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers," (Macbeth, I, v, 50-55) This time, Lady Macbeth not only acknowledges her malevolent convictions, but desires her blood to be saturated with murderous agents to the extent that none of the natural, stereotypical "womanly feelings", or "compunctious visitings of nature" will be left to hinder her from committing her evil deeds. ... Sophocles' counterexample against the ...
Politics create conflicts that cause chaos, sadness and death in both Antigone and Kundera stories. ... Antigone believed that she was strong enough to defeat Creon and his laws. ... This led Creon to get even angrier and sentenced Antigone to death. ... Freud believed that destructive forces are present in all individuals, and thus man is by nature, an essentially anti-social and anti-cultural being, it is difficult for many people to accept his premises. ... He put Antigone on trial; he won the case and sentenced Antigone to death. ...
Antigone is also as mentioned before the heroine of the play. ... Antigone: Who knows this is not piety there? ... Antigone: Well, i was made for fellowship in love, not fellowship in hate. ... While the cultural relevance of Antigone was evident in Grecian society, in a modern sense having extensive prior knowledge of this play is like watching a sentimental film and in connectivity, selecting the same movie in the future despite its repetitive nature. ... The Oedipal curse and characters like Jocasta or Tiresias play vital roles in the play Antigone. ...
