ANTIGONE Flashcards
What was the ancient Greek conception of the tragic playwright’s job? That is, what did they think somebody like Sophocles was fundamentally supposed to be doing, in and through his writing?
- Mirror towards society evoke strong emotions + catharsis
- Educate and promote moral and ethical reflection
- Insight on human experience
- Thought to explore the complexities of human nature
- Power to challenge and subvert societal norms and values, and to encourage the audience to think critically and independently.
According to the ancient Greek conception, the tragic playwright’s job was to hold a mirror up to society and to explore the human condition. The Greeks believed that tragedy, in particular, had the ability to evoke strong emotions in the audience, such as pity and fear, and to provide a sense of catharsis or emotional release.
- The ancient Greeks believed that tragedy had the power to educate and to promote moral and ethical reflection. Through the portrayal of complex and relatable characters, tragic plays were thought to explore the complexities of human nature and to provide insight into the human experience. Tragedy was also believed to have the power to challenge and subvert societal norms and values, and to encourage the audience to think critically and independently.
- The ancient Greek conception of the tragic playwright’s job was daring. To make a play about something so important (the burial procedure and how it was defied) meant a lot more to ancient Greek audiences than it does to us today.
- They would have thought that Sophocles was trying to convey the importance of the spiritual connection to the gods and the importance of following them
Comment on the opening argument between Ismene and Antigone. Who is right? Is either of them?
They are both right. Antigone was right because she was following the gods orders. Ismene was right to think about the consequences that would come from defying. They both raise a reasonable argument about compliance and defiance, but it ultimately depends on either of the two characters’ goals and values. Antigone valued complying to the gods/mortality more than physical life (based on the assumption of afterlife). However, Ismene agreed with Antigone’s points but valued her life more than her commitment to the gods as she was not willing to sacrifice her safety to follow Antigone. Both characters were right in their actions as they aligned with their personal values.
Antigone looks like a “rebel”; but in a sense, she is profoundly conservative. How so?
- Conservative in her continued compliance to these ancient laws
-Duty as a sister, family member, and community member to give her brother a proper burial which places a high value on traditional values and customs in society - Committed to upholding traditional values and customs, and is willing to sacrifice her own life to do so.
The rest of the society is complying with newly implemented laws that go against tradition. This is the complete opposite of conservative in which one holds traditional values and is against change. Antigone believes that it is her duty, as a sister and as a member of her community, to give her brother a proper burial. This belief is rooted in the traditional values and customs of her society, which place a high value on familial bonds and on the proper treatment of the dead. While she defies authority and challenges societal norms, she is also deeply committed to upholding traditional values and customs, and is willing to sacrifice her own life to do so.
How does Kreon perceive anybody who disagrees with him?
- Inferior and criminal like
- Dangerous and rebellious
- They must be punished and silenced
Creon perceives anyone who disagrees with him as inferior and criminal-like. Those who disagree with him are seen as rebellious and dangerous, and he is determined to silence and punish them in order to maintain his own authority and power. The laws he creates under any circumstances must be absolute and do not leave room for leniency or criticism. He is unwilling to listen to their perspectives or to consider their arguments, and he is convinced that he is right and that they are wrong.
What degree, what kind of obedience does Kreon demand?
Creon demands complete obedience and does not tolerate partial obedience. He expects loyalty to his rule despite the gods. The laws he creates under any circumstances must be absolute and do not leave room for leniency or criticism. He threatens and punishes the people of the town through fear of death as a consequence for not following his strict rules
