Antigone Vs. Billy Budd
In Poetics, Aristotle explains tragedy as a kind of imitation of a certain magnitude, using direct action instead of narration to achieve its desired affect. It is of an extremely serious nature. Tragedy is also complete, with a structure that unifies all of its parts. It is meant to produce a catharsis of the audience, meant to produce the emotions of pity and fear and to purge them of these emotions and helping them better understand the ways of the gods and men. Tragedy is also in a language in both verse and song. Aristotle's definition is clearly applicable to both Herman Melville's Billy Budd and the famous Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles. Antigone is definitely a good example of a Greek tragedy. It contains all of the elements of Greek tragedy as defined by Aristotle. Billy Budd has also been interpreted by some critics as a Greek tragedy. This seems true in that it contains many of the requirements in a Greek tragedy. However, as we look closer, there are many factors that are not found in Billy Budd that are required in a Greek tragedy. There are flaws to the theory. Analysis of the Billy Budd has shown that enough of these flaws are evident to interpret Billy Budd as not a Greek
However there is a problem with Billy Budd being the tragic hero. Billy lacks the necessary attributes of a tragic hero. He doesn't have the stature and tragic sense of awareness which makes a tragedy. There are differences in the character, structure, theme, magnitude, tragic heroes, plot, as well as focus. However, it can be argued that these differences can also be similarities. It can be explained as a variant. Interpretation has been a key issue in these two works. The two works have been interpreted in many different ways. Each way could lead to a different comparison of these two works. Therefore, the reader must decide which interpretation is most "correct" and conclude whether the similarities are sufficient to call Billy Budd a Greek tragedy. Now Creon must decide what to do. His decision is influenced by several factors. One is that Antigone is betrothed to his son, Haemon. His son is very much in love with Antigone. He persuades his father to not punish Antigone. Another influence is that of the citizens of Thebes. The citizens also tell Creon to release Antigone. "Creon. 'And is this girl not a criminal'? Haemon. 'The city with a single voice denies it.'" (2, 734-735) The final influence is from the blind prophet Teiresias. Teiresias urges Creon not to punish Antigone and warns him that the gods have been offended by the unburied body of Polyneices. He also warns Creon that the death of his son would result if Creon does not change his mind. Creon, becoming frightened at the possible death of his son, reluctantly decides to release Antigone and give Polyneices a proper burial. However, the happy ending is denied as the audience learns that Antigone committed suicide in her jail cell and Creon's son, Haemon has followed Antigone in death. To further Creon's suffering, his wife, Eurydice commits suicide as well. Creon acknowledges that the whole chain of tragic events was a result of his wrongdoing. He wanders off into self-exile and prays that his own death will come soon.
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Approximate Word count = 5381
Approximate Pages = 22 (250 words per page double spaced)
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