Classics essay prep
The role of an ancient hero was to succeed against near impossible odds.’
Discuss this view with reference to any classical text(s) you have studied (20m)
Factors to use:
- Stubborness comparison between Antigone and Creon
- Creon as a hero ( sacrifices family for state, promises to
keep the state safe and secure which is popular with the
country as the play is set right after a war, but makes bad
decisions and insecure)
- Antigone as a hero (stands up for what is right, goes
against social norms and laws of men, but stubborn,
perhaps seeks glory)
Intro outline
- Antigone is a play written by Sophocles, and a sequel to
Oedipus Rex. In the ancient world a hero was any male
who was noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose
in the quest of gaining glory, especially those who risked
their lives doing so.
Context - - After a bloody and disrupting civil war broke out in
Thebes, the weight of restoring the city is left to Creon, a new
uprising leader of the state which claims to be a democracy.
-in this essay I will explore whether Creon and Antigone, who is
notably a woman protagonist from Sophocles, are heroes or
not.
Antigone as a hero - -
- Antigone as a hero is notably portrayed throughout the
play by Sophocles, shown by the spotlight she is put under
and clearly defying the laws of which she believes she is
degraded under.
, - Antigone stands up for what she thinks is right, going
against the challenges of a male dominated leading
society and Creon’s misguided decree. Women at the time
were expected to remain at home as much as possible and to
obey the men who controlled their lives. Antigone bravely
abandons the expectations of her society to do what she believes
is right by her brother and by the gods. Again Antigone as a
woman has no public or political voice, but again she refuses to
allow this to prevent her from bravely speaking out publicly
against Creon who is her guardian and her king.
- This is shown most prominently in the play when she exclaims
“Iraise a burial mound for the brother I love” portraying when
talking to Ismene her sister that she believes burying her last
remaining brother, Polynicies, should be done with the outmost
respect and glory, dismissing the laws of men entirely, and going
against her Kyrios and leader Creon. Her love for family flourishes
more than her love for the state, and instead also standing with
the gods and the goddesses rather than the legislation of the
mortal.
- - Antigone was also seen portraying bravery, in terms of standing
up for herself which might make her be deemed as a hero.
Antigone is clearly not afraid to speak out about the King’s flaws,
and right in front of his face. Exclaiming “One of the blessings of
tyranny is its freedom to do and say what it likes” scrutinising
what Creon labels or senses as a true ‘democracy’
Analysis- -
Creon as a hero - - -
Creon as a hero is not as intensely portrayed as a hero
as much as Antigone is in the play, however there are
arguments that beg to differ – arguing Creon was in fact
a hero – and should be referred to as such.
- Creon rose to power after a brutal and chaotic civil
war, he was destined it seems to be put in a difficult
situation. However, Creon stood face to face with
that and acted out on it. He issued a proclamation
entailing that Polynicies burial must be delayed
The role of an ancient hero was to succeed against near impossible odds.’
Discuss this view with reference to any classical text(s) you have studied (20m)
Factors to use:
- Stubborness comparison between Antigone and Creon
- Creon as a hero ( sacrifices family for state, promises to
keep the state safe and secure which is popular with the
country as the play is set right after a war, but makes bad
decisions and insecure)
- Antigone as a hero (stands up for what is right, goes
against social norms and laws of men, but stubborn,
perhaps seeks glory)
Intro outline
- Antigone is a play written by Sophocles, and a sequel to
Oedipus Rex. In the ancient world a hero was any male
who was noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose
in the quest of gaining glory, especially those who risked
their lives doing so.
Context - - After a bloody and disrupting civil war broke out in
Thebes, the weight of restoring the city is left to Creon, a new
uprising leader of the state which claims to be a democracy.
-in this essay I will explore whether Creon and Antigone, who is
notably a woman protagonist from Sophocles, are heroes or
not.
Antigone as a hero - -
- Antigone as a hero is notably portrayed throughout the
play by Sophocles, shown by the spotlight she is put under
and clearly defying the laws of which she believes she is
degraded under.
, - Antigone stands up for what she thinks is right, going
against the challenges of a male dominated leading
society and Creon’s misguided decree. Women at the time
were expected to remain at home as much as possible and to
obey the men who controlled their lives. Antigone bravely
abandons the expectations of her society to do what she believes
is right by her brother and by the gods. Again Antigone as a
woman has no public or political voice, but again she refuses to
allow this to prevent her from bravely speaking out publicly
against Creon who is her guardian and her king.
- This is shown most prominently in the play when she exclaims
“Iraise a burial mound for the brother I love” portraying when
talking to Ismene her sister that she believes burying her last
remaining brother, Polynicies, should be done with the outmost
respect and glory, dismissing the laws of men entirely, and going
against her Kyrios and leader Creon. Her love for family flourishes
more than her love for the state, and instead also standing with
the gods and the goddesses rather than the legislation of the
mortal.
- - Antigone was also seen portraying bravery, in terms of standing
up for herself which might make her be deemed as a hero.
Antigone is clearly not afraid to speak out about the King’s flaws,
and right in front of his face. Exclaiming “One of the blessings of
tyranny is its freedom to do and say what it likes” scrutinising
what Creon labels or senses as a true ‘democracy’
Analysis- -
Creon as a hero - - -
Creon as a hero is not as intensely portrayed as a hero
as much as Antigone is in the play, however there are
arguments that beg to differ – arguing Creon was in fact
a hero – and should be referred to as such.
- Creon rose to power after a brutal and chaotic civil
war, he was destined it seems to be put in a difficult
situation. However, Creon stood face to face with
that and acted out on it. He issued a proclamation
entailing that Polynicies burial must be delayed
