Antigone

A detailed Summary of Antigone


According to Aristotle, "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of a noble and complete action, having the proper magnitude...; it is presented in dramatic, not narrative form, and achieves, through the representation of pitiable and fearful incidents, the catharsis of such incidents" (Golden 11). Using the criteria established by Aristotle in Poetics, "Antigone" by Sophocles displays the qualities of a tragedy. The principle character engages in an immense moral struggle (ending in death). Catharsis is accomplished through the catastrophic consequences of the main character's actions. Throughout the play, the viewer experiences pity and fear for a number of the characters.

In the opening scene, a conversation between Antigone and her sister Ismene introduces us to the folly that has befallen their family. They allow us to see that prior to their current circumstance, they have greatly suffered. Their mother has committed suicide. Their father, King Oedipus, has cast himself to exile. The gods have had no mercy upon their lives. War broke out between their two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles. Polyneices invades against the city of Thebes, to regain the throne. Eteocles, who was the legitimate heir, goes to


The play "Anigone" by Sophocles meets the criteria that would classify it as a Greek tragedy. With Antigone as the protagonist and through the use of various techniques, this play enables the viewer to experience the emotions of pity and fear.

While Anitigone's motive is for moral justice, Creon's is self-interest. From the beginning of the play Creon displays a stubborn, prideful manner. His character is created through constant misjudgment, not the "one miscalculation" that is a standard trait for a tragic hero.

Creon is unyielding. Only in the end does he see the error of his ways. It is not of high moral character that he has his epiphany. He sees his wrong doing through the loss of his son and wife, not through virtue. "Such a person is one who neither is superior [to us] in virtue and justice, nor undergoes a change to misfortune because of vice and wickedness, but because of some error, and who is one of those people with a great reputation and good fortune." (Poetics 53a8-11, p.16)



Some common words found in the essay are:
King Polyneices, Creon Anitigone's, God's Creon, Antigone Sophocles, Antigone Ismene, Homer Joyce, Aristotle Tragedy, Eteocles Polyneices, Anigone Sophocles, King Oedipus, tragic hero, creon tragic hero, hero play, noble quality, throughout play, play creon, pity fear, law creon, proper burial, obey law mortal, tragic hero play, obey law, antigone ismene,

Approximate Word count = 1020
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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