Why did Sophocles write Antigone?
Sophocles wrote Antigone because the story was already a popular legend in Greek mythology and he saw dramatic and moral potential in retelling it as a tragic play. Sophocles uses Antigone to make a case against tyranny, thus supporting the democratic values of his home, Athens.
When did Sophocles write Antigone?
441 BC
Antigone (/ænˈtɪɡəni/ ann-TIG-ə-nee; Ancient Greek: Ἀντιγόνη) is an Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles in (or before) 441 BC and first performed at the Festival of Dionysus of the same year.
Who wrote Antigone and why?
“Antigone” is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, written around 442 BCE. Although it was written before Sophocles' other two Theban plays, chronologically it comes after the stories in “Oedipus the King” and “Oedipus at Colonus”, and it picks up where Aeschylus' play “Seven Against Thebes” ends.
What is the significance of Antigone?
Antigone came to symbolize democracy and resonated with Greece's war of independence against the Ottoman Empire, as well as America's struggle against communist Soviet Russia during the Cold War.
What was Sophocles message in Antigone?
The message of Antigone is that it is unwise to never admit error or change one's mind and that it is especially unwise and dangerous for a ruler, such as Creon, never to admit fault.
What was going on when Antigone was written?
During the 5th century there were a lot of political events and wars, that may have influenced Sophocles to write this play during that time. Ancient Athens was going through peace treaties, and a developing democracy which today is recognized.
What mental illness does Antigone have?
Antigone may have been depressed, “my heart was long since dead” (line 559), and locates herself emotionally as an abject progeny of a monstrous marriage. The other suicides show emotions of shame, self punishment, grief, and anger.
What is the lesson behind Antigone?
Sophocles offers another lesson in Antigone. Namely, that a single person in power, if he persuades or frightens enough people, can cause the suffering of innocents and the loss of institutions and customs on which civil order rely. It is a lesson we have witnessed more than once, in living memory.
What is the political message of Antigone?
A key lesson of Sophocles' “Antigone” is that fanaticism results when public actors fail to practice the one virtue capable of moderating the excesses of human nature: political prudence.
What lessons are learned in Antigone?
The four themes from Antigone explored in this article are hubris, reason, honor, and civic duty; how they influence one another and how navigating them influences society. In the second half of the piece, we will discuss how these themes can impact our learning, relationships and abilities to lead.
What is Antigone’s biggest flaw?
What tragic flaw does Antigone have? Antigone's tragic flaw is stubborn loyalty. She believes she has a sacred duty to bury her brother, even though she knows she will be killed for doing so. However, she fails to consider how her actions will affect her sister Ismene or her fiance Haemon.
What was Antigone’s moral dilemma?
The ethical dilemma Antigone faces is whether to bury her brother or abide by the laws established by her uncle, Creon, the new head of state. She finally decides to defy Creon's decree, despite the almost certain consequences, in order to honor her deceased brother.
What does Sophocles want us to learn from Antigone?
Sophocles offers another lesson in Antigone. Namely, that a single person in power, if he persuades or frightens enough people, can cause the suffering of innocents and the loss of institutions and customs on which civil order rely. It is a lesson we have witnessed more than once, in living memory.
What is the irony of Antigone?
Dramatic Irony, Presented Dramatically
When he learns of Antigone's burial of Polyneices, he cries in fury, "Verily, I am no man, she is the man." Meant for sarcasm, the saying is entirely true: Antigone has dared to right a wrong Creon created.
What does Antigone teach us about courage?
Antigone portrays extremely courageous qualities, and definitely fights for what she believes in. She does not accept what the king says just because he is the king or a person in authority. She does not agree with his law so she goes with her heart and her feelings and disobeys the king's rule.
What is the moral of Antigone?
In Antigone, the moral of the story is that of fate. This moral is incorporated through the actions of both Creon and Antigone. The moral also corresponds with a recurring theme of the abuse of power, something that Creon is more than guilty of.
What lessons does Antigone teach?
The four themes from Antigone explored in this article are hubris, reason, honor, and civic duty; how they influence one another and how navigating them influences society. In the second half of the piece, we will discuss how these themes can impact our learning, relationships and abilities to lead.
Why is Antigone a feminist?
Antigone, the protagonist of the play by the same name, acts as a feminist hero before the word feminism, or the assertion that women are equal to men, even existed. She stands up for what she believes is right, even though it means surrendering her life.
What is the main message or moral of the story?
The moral or the message of a story refers to the lesson that the reader can take away from it. These can often be expressed as simple, generalized statements.
What is the moral lesson of Antigone?
In Antigone, the moral of the story is that of fate. This moral is incorporated through the actions of both Creon and Antigone. The moral also corresponds with a recurring theme of the abuse of power, something that Creon is more than guilty of.
What is the author’s message?
An author's message is the "big idea" of the text or a part of the text. It is what the author wants the reader to learn or take away from reading the text. There may be more than one message in a text. A life lesson: The moral, or lesson, that stories like fables are trying to teach readers.
What is the main point of the message?
There are three purposes for a message: inform, persuade or goodwill. The first purpose is to inform where a message can be used to communicate routine, repetitive, daily tasks, instructions, codes, steps and procedures in the workplace.
What is the message in the story?
A story's message, or theme, is what the author wants to teach you through his or her writing. Some stories have a specific kind of message called a moral, or a life lesson. You can find the message of a story by looking at the characters' actions and focusing on what is repeated throughout the story.
What are the 3 major purposes of the message?
There are three purposes for a message: inform, persuade or goodwill.
What is the main idea the main argument that the article is communicating?
In paragraphs, a stated main idea is called the topic sentence. In an article, the stated main idea is called the thesis statement.