Analysis Of Sophocles The King Of The Thebes - 979 Words

Imagine a five star general of the United States Army betrays our country to side with terrorists and other enemies in attempts to take over America, but is killed in t battle. Does that general deserve a proper burial that is usually given to regular armed service men and women? That’s basically the same situation that King Kreon is put in at the beginning of Antigone. Throughout Sophocles’ Antigone, Kreon, the king of the Thebes, has good intentions, but remains stubborn and inflexible to the outcries of his own family, the unhappiness of the citizens, and even a prediction from a prophet. King Kreon’s initial intentions are good, but his downfall was his inflexibility and stubbornness to reasoning. His stubbornness and selfishness create a completely misunderstood goal and block what is truly good and righteous, this causes everyone to turn on him and lose everyone he loves because he over values the laws of man when the wishes of the Gods come into play. The Gods come into play later in Antigone. At first, Kreon is doing what is right; standing by his morals and following the written laws. For example, in the beginning of the play Kreon states that he will not have a traitor, Polyneices, be properly buried so he punishes his sister, Antigone once she buries him; â€Å"She showed herself capable of insolence then, going beyond the laws put before her. Her second insolence, after she had done it, was to exult in her deed and laugh that she had done it. Now I am no man, but sheShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Sophocles Antigone, Creon, The King Of Thebes1280 Words   |  6 Pagesthem† (Sophocles 222). In Sophocles’ tragedy â€Å"Antigone†, Creon, the obstinate king of Thebes, embodies the stereotypical monarch. Ancient Athens, where Sophocles called home, used plays to educate their audience and persuade them to think a certain way; thus, Sophocles wrote of the struggle between Creon, and his son, Haimon, from the pers pective of a member if a democratic government. Sophocles sought to influence his audiences political beliefs by creating the character Creon, the King of Thebes’Read MoreJustification of Creon in Antigone by Sophocles Essay994 Words   |  4 PagesJustification of Creon in Antigone by Sophocles Antigone is a tragic play written by Sophocles in about 441b.c. The play is a continuation of the curse put upon the household of Oedipus Rex. Sophocles actually wrote this play before he wrote Oedipus, but it follows Oedipus in chronological order. The story of Antigone begins after the departure of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, into self-exile. Oedipus’ two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, were left to rule over Thebes. 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Through his candid exploration of the ship/captain and light/dark motifs, Sophocles makes an effort to ultimately bring the reader to the realization that arrogance creates an illusion to the truth and the po tential dangers such pride poses for bothRead MoreOedipus : The King Of Thebes And Tragic Hero Essay728 Words   |  3 PagesOedipus: The King of Thebes and Tragic Hero Ancient Greek Literature encompasses an assortment of poetry and drama to include the great masterpieces of tragedy. In Classic Literature, tragedies were commonly known for their elaboration of a protagonist fitting the classification of a tragic hero. This type of a tragic hero often collectively described as a character of noble birth, facing an adversity of some nature and a fate of great suffering. 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As a young man when Oedipus answered the riddle the Sphinx he soon found his self having everything want and need. He earned his spot as the new King of Thebes, he had a great wife and lovely set of children and lastRead More Oedipus the King: Does Oedipus Satisfy the Definition of a Good Man?1415 Words   |  6 PagesIn his first dealings with the city of Thebes, Oedipus found them under the curse of the Sphinx.   He actually gained his position of King of Thebes by rendering unto the city a great service, namely the salvation of the city from the Sphinxs plague.   Aristotle praised the type of cleverness and practical wisdom Oedipus exhibited in his solution to the riddle as being a component of overall goodness.   If it were not for Oedipus virtuous action in saving Thebe s, the citizens would have suffered untoldRead MoreCharacter Analysis : Creon s Oedipus The King 1180 Words   |  5 PagesCollege Character Analysis: Creon In Oedipus the King by Sophocles, a fatal curse is put upon the town of Thebes. Creon, current king and brother of Jocasta, gives the throne to Oedipus because he freed the city from the Sphinx. Creon is asked to seek help from Apollo, the son of Zeus and Leto, and twin brother of Artemis by Oedipus, his brother in law. Creon reveals to Oedipus that the only way to dismantle the curse is to discover who killed Laius, the former king of Thebes, and then to prosecute