There are three topics in your course pack on Antigone. You should choose one and find three scenes in the play that will help you develop your essay. In your blog (post here at bottom of page)
> state your thesis or claim you are going to argue/defend
>give and summarize three pieces of evidence (scenes) from the play (give quotations, page numbers; explain what the scene is about that you are discussing in your argument)
>include relevant quotes in your blog which should be about 300-400 words. The final essay due September 26 should be 600-800 words.
Exampleof opening paragraph that announces thesis and explains situation (briefly), providing examples to be developed:
Antigone is facing a difficult decision: she wishes to bury her brother against the command of the King, Creon. Antigone and Creon have conflicting values: Creon values the laws and the survival of the state; he believes he must take a strong position to be trusted as a new leader. Therefore he decides that one of the brothers, Eteocles, must remain unburied. Creon, it becomes clear, is concerned about his reputation and his power. Antigone stands up to Creon, announces she is willing to die and commits suicide, all in the name of the gods. Antigone's position is the morally correct one. First, she is loyal to her family and is guided by her belief that is better to die honorably than to allow her brother to be eaten by dogs. Second, she believes that the laws of the gods are higher laws than the laws of the state. Thjird, Antigone's passion for ethical behavior towards her family and obedience to the gods is morally superior to that of Creon.
i will be writing on topic #1 antigone vs.creon, right vs. right. while both have valid arguments, one being respectful and loyal to family and the gods. the other being loyal to whats right and wrong and treachery in the state. antigone has placed tremendous value on the proper burial of her brother even though he had come to attack the city more specifically the other brother, because she wants him to rest in peace after death she claims that he is dead and in death he is permitted peaceful rest. however creone trying to be a figure of authority, decrees that the brother who came to attack his own homeland is a traitor and doesnt desserve proper burial.
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ReplyDeleteRight Vs. Right?
ReplyDeleteCreon is the new rightful king and has to indicate his leadership by laying down new laws. Antigone is left with the decision to go against the new law since "the Gods law is above the mans law." Could Ceron have been more understanding to the fact that "people have little time to please the living but all eternity to love the dead." Could Antigone be most empathetic to Creon's decision about the laws since he is a new king and trying to let the people know who's in charge? Even though Creon has some valid points I believe Antigone was right in her decision.
I well be writing about Antigone and Creon right vs. right. i believe both are right and both are wrong that why i well be going into a deeper meaning of this in my essay. One example is when Antigone tells her sister about her brother and what she wanted to do and she knows she should not do it but she does not care and does not go by the law and in my opinion that is wrong. Another explain is when Creon talks to his son and he tells his son that he well not marry this girl and i fine that wrong because Antigone did something wrong he cant say who he can or not. i well give these and more explains in my essay
ReplyDeleteAntigone topics: I'm interested in discussing "Nature of conflict between Creon and Antigone".
ReplyDelete1.) Antigone: "Is he my brother, and yours, whether you like it or not? I shall never desert him, never." (Page 128)
- Antigone is speaking to her sister Ismene at this point, and she's telling her that they are all from the same blood, and Antigone refuses to leave her brother unburied whether Ismene likes it or not. Antigone shows a sign of moral justice.
2.) Antigone: " I knew it, naturally. It was plain enough." (Page 138)
- Creon has asked Antigone if she knew what she did was disobeying his law. With that being said she replied with a straight forward honest answer with no fear of denying that she clearly knew what the law was but she still did the order. Antigone shows nothing but loyalty for her brother, because even though she knew he wasn't suppose to be buried because that's not what Creon wanted, she still went about her business and did as she said she would.
3.) Antigone: "This punishment will not be any pain. Only if I had let my mother's son lie there unburied, then i could not have borne it." (Page 139)
- Antigone tells Creon that she can now die in peace because she couldn't have left her brother lay in flesh for feast. She is facing her consequences with no shame.
I am choosing Essay Choice 3: "Admiring Antigone." because the quotes below really show the beauty of Antigone's morals.
ReplyDelete"He is my brother, and yours, whether you like it or not? I shall never desert him, never... he has no right to keep me from my own." (pg 128)
"You chose, life was your choice, while mine was death...
No, no. You live. My heart was long dead, so it was right for me to help the dead." (pg 141)
"That order did not come from God. Justice, That dwells with the gods below, knows no such law. I did not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten unalterable laws of God in heaven, you being only a man." (pg 138)
I choose option #2 Creon's blindness and Insight. I am choosing this one because I found it interesting the change of heart that Creon had. It was also interesting how he realized he was wrong and it was to late. He finally put aside his hubris ways and believed the prophet (Teiresias). Creon admitted to be wrong and knows now that it is against heavens law to kill man. These quotes show how he went from stubborn to wanting to make a change and free Antigone. He was late not only to free her but to also find that his son and wife was dead as well.
ReplyDelete1.Creon: And was not this women's actions dishonorable? Haemon: The people of Thebes think not. Creon :The people of Thebes! Since when do I take my orders from the people of Thebes Sophocles (pg.146)
2. Antigone :What greater could I wish? All these would say that what I did was honorable, But fear locks up their lips. To speak act just as he likes is a kings prerogative. Creon: You are wrong. None of my subjects thinks as you do! Sophocles (pg.140)
3.Creon: I will go this instant Slaves there! One and all. Bring spades and mattocks out on the hill! My mind is made; 'twas I imprisoned her, And I will set her free. Now I believe it is by the laws of heaven that man must live. Sophocles (pg.156)
4.Creon: O the curse of my stubborn will! Son, newly cut off in the newness of youth, Dead for my fault, not yours. Chorus: Alas, too late you have seen the truth. (pg.160)
I choose to do option 2 Creon's blindness and insight. I'm going to argue how his stubbornness attitude and his power with his authority blinded him over what was really right and really wrong.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the play, Creon was blinded by both his power and his anger. My first evidence was when he didn't play attention when Teireslas told him what would happen if he went on with what he wanted to do.
My second evidence was when he spoke to his son, and his son tried to help him, but he still refuse to listen.
and the last pieced of evidence I'm going to use is in the end when he realize he should have listen sooner by the time it was too late.
I choose topic#2 "Creon's Blindness and Insight.I choose this topic because its quiet interesting how Creon change throughout the play, how he went from full of pride and rage to realizing that hes wrong.The change was totally unexpected and a little but to late.He had let his stubbornness get in the way of seeing the truth.
ReplyDelete1)Creon :"You are wrong.None of my subjects thinks as you do."(page 140)-Stubbornness
2)Creon and Haemon conversation :" The people of Thebes since when do i take orders from he people of the thebes."(page 146)- Power
3)Creon: "The sin , the sin of the erring soul Drives hard unto death. Behold the slayer, the slain, The father , the son.O curse my stubborn will ! Son, newly cut off in the newness of youth, Dead for my fault, not yours.(page 160)-Recognition
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ReplyDeleteEssay Topic: Option 3 "Antigone, the Self-Willed Victim"
ReplyDeleteAll through the story of Antigone, written by Sophocles, Antigone believes in the supremacy of religious law and tradition. Although Creon has proclaimed to the city that the traitor Polyneices should not be buried, Antigone insists on following the religious law requiring that females bury the deceased of their family.
"I would not have done the forbidden thing for any husband or for any son. For why? I could have had another husband and by him another son, if one were lost; But, father and mother lost, where would I get another brother?" (Sophocles 150)
"I will burry my brother; And if I die for it, what happiness! Convicted of reverence - I shall be content to lie beside a bother whom I love." (Sophocles 128)
"We have only a little time to please the living, but all eternity to love the dead." (Sophocles 128)
A topic I'm interested in discussing is "Creon's Blindness and Insight". Creon shows how he moves from pride in his position, to stubbornness, to rage, and finally to a reversal that brings insight. the 3 quotes i will be focusing on are:
ReplyDelete“These signs portend evil for Thebes; and the trouble stems from your policy. Why? Because our altars are polluted by flesh brought be dogs and birds, picking from Polynices’ corpse. Small wonder that the gods won’t accept our sacrifices.”
“Can’t fight against what’s destined…I must personally undo what I have done. I shouldn’t have tried being unorthodox. I’ll stick by the established laws in the future.”
“…by my stubbornness, oh my son, so young, to die so young, and all because of me.”
I am going to write my essay on "Antigone versus Creon: Right versus Right". Although most would agree that morally Antigone's position is more "right" than Creon's, Creon's arguments were also valid. While talking to his son Haemon, Creon said "How, if I tolerate a traitor at home, shall I rule those abroad." (144). Creon was making the point that he must maintain authority in his territory or he will not be able to rule over anything else. Antigone stood her ground when talking to her sister Ismene, she told her "Go your own way; I will bury my brother; And if I die for it, what happines!" (128). Antigone does not care if she does not get any help from her sister, she is determined to do what she feels is right.
ReplyDeleteI choose topic #2: Creon's blindness and Insight.
ReplyDeleteI will discuss on how Creon's change of fortune is due to his ignorant, stubborn – character. Even though he gains insight in the end and experiences a reversal, he has to face the tough consequences of his tragic mistake.
1)Creon’s downfall all starts when Antigone disobeys his latest order. When he hears about it,he becomes quite enraged as he confronts her and realizes that she feels unashamed.
“This girl’s proud spirit was first in evidence when she broke the law; and now, to add insult to her injury, she gloats over her deed. As I live, she shall not flout my orders with impunity. She should not escape full punishment.” (pg. 139)
2)Later, Creon’s son Haemon tries to make his father realize that he is making a mistake.
Haemon: “It is no weakness for the wisest man to learn when he is wrong, know when to yield. So, father, pause and put aside your anger”.
Creon: “Am I to take lessons at my time of life from a fellow of his age?” (pg.145-146)
3)Finally, Creon does have a change of heart,
“My mind is made; ’twas I imprisoned her, and I will set her free. Now I believe it is by the laws of heaven that man must live” (pg. 156).
However, it is too late for the Teiresias had already prophesied terrible things.
- Sarah Mindana
Right Vs. Right
ReplyDeleteCreon is king and he has political power and has to indicate his leadership by laying down his new laws. Antigone is left between burying her brother and the decision to go against the new law since "the gods law is above the mans law" I think Creon could have been a little more understanding but than again Antigone could have obeyed the kings law.
I had a had time deciding between Essay #1, and Essay #3, but I came to the conclusion of choosing Essay #1.
ReplyDeleteAntigone versus Creon: Right versus Right.
Antigone
“I will burry my brother; and if I die for it, what happiness! Convicted of reverence,- I shall be content to lie beside a brother whom I love.” (Page 128)
“There is no punishment can rob me of my honorable death.” (Page 129)
Creon
“He whom the state appoints must be obeyed to the smallest matter, be it right-or wrong.” (Page 144)
“When I see any danger threatening my people, whatever it may be, I shall declare it.” (Page 131)
I'm choosing essay topic #3 because I think it's easy to admire someone like Antigone. She stands up for what she believes in and doesn't fold, even as the consequences hit. There is a fine line between being willful, and stubborn, but she never crosses it. This is shown a few specific places in the reading:
ReplyDelete1) "I will burry my brother; And if I die for it, what happiness! Convicted of reverence-I shall be content to lie beside a brother whom I love." (page 129)
2) "My way is to share my love, not share my hate." (page 140)
3) "If this is God's will, I shall learn my lesson in death; but if my enemies are wrong, I wish them no worse punishment than mine." (page 150)
I Chose to discuss the topic of right vs right. While Antigone was doing right by honoring her family by wanting to burry her brothers and honoring the god by not "polluting" the city with an unburied body. While Creon was trying to honor his own law and show that when someone commits a crime they deserve to be punished whether dead or alive.
ReplyDeleteOne part that shows Antigone's passion for honoring her brother is when she said "We only have little time to please the living, but all eternity to love the dead." This shows that she would happily take her death if she received such a verdict and knowing that she can only truly be happy when her brother is laid to rest.
Creon shows that his authority needs to be enforced when he first states that " And no less is damned is he who puts a friend above his country." He is basically saying that no matter who you are "justice" is "justice" and so because Polynices threatened his country he was no good man who deserved to be buried.
When Teiresias talks about the omen for Creon for not burying the body he says that the body is "unblest by the gods below." which supports in how Antigone was right in trying to bury her brother.
My essay will be based upon Antigone v. Creon, right vs. right. I believe with Antigone wanting to bury her brother to honor the family and god, by not leaving a family member to rot, pollute the city and get eaten by animals, she is right. Creon too, in some ways is right. He is a new leader and he must defend his country against what he feels is a "traitor" and he needs to do so with the out most authority.
ReplyDeleteOne quote I feel really shows Antigone's point of view is when Creon asks her if she has heard the order not to bury the body, and if she did hear of it why did she disobey. On page 138 she says proudly "That order did not come from God" which shows that she is intent on pleasing not only her family but the most highest power, the Gods.
Creon is in his way right as well to be authoritative which is proven when he says on page 131 "Our country is our life, only when she rides safely have we any friends at all." He says so right before proclaiming the rule to leave Polynices unburied, and in a way I feel like this quote was his main original reason for what he has ordered, and it is clear that he is right (of course in a "leader" point of view)