Structure in Sophocles Antigone Essays - 1944 Words

Structure in Sophocles Antigone Aristotle in his Poetics (chap. 7) says: ?[L]et us now discuss the proper structure of the plot, since this is the first and most important thing in tragedy? (1033). M. H. Abrams says that ?almost all literary theorists since Aristotle have emphasized the importance of structure, conceived in diverse ways, in analyzing a work of literature? (300). The matter of the structure of Sophocles? Antigone is a subject of varying interpretation among literary critics, as this essay will reveal. Gilbert Murray, professor at Oxford University in England, cites structure as one of the reasons why he chose Sophocles to translate. Then he elaborates on this structure: ?But Sophocles worked by†¦show more content†¦before the gods (Murray 25) and would not tempt the gods by leaving the corpse of her brother unburied, challenging her uncle, Creon, the king of Thebes who ?destined our brothers, the one to honoured burial, the other to unburied shame Antigone?s offer to Ismene (?Wilt thou aid this hand to lift the dead?) is quickly rejected, so that Antigone resolves that she must bury Polynices by herself: Nay, be what thou wilt; but I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that. I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever. But if thou wilt, be guilty of dishonouring laws which the gods have established in honour. Thus Antigone?s firm resolution to contradict the king?s decree introduces Aristotle?s ?complication? into the tragedy. And such complication becomes more serious with each successive episode in the plot. Creon represents the antithesis of humility and piety; he replaces Eteocles as ruler in Thebes: ?I now possess the throne and all its powers, by nearness of kinship to the dead.? Creon explains to the elderly Thebans of the chorus the rationale behind the new edict regarding Polynices, which stipulates: ?. . .it hath been proclaimed to our people that none shall grace him with sepulture or lament, but leave him unburied, a corpse for birds and dogs to eat, a ghastlyShow MoreRelatedSophocles Antigone: 441-442bc1285 Words   |  6 PagesThe period that Athens’ Sophocles lived in was a time of important changes to the traditional Greek ways of life. The most significant catalyst of change and concern of the period was democracy. From here stems ideas such as the nature, role and respect of and for the gods, and the individual. 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His role in the plot of this tragedy, his sensible tragic fault, and his dynamic character are the obvious reasons why I chose him as the tragic heroRead MoreJustice, Power, And Human Nature By Thucydides And The Republic By Plato1142 Words   |  5 Pagesfifth-century BC Greece, writers and philosophers were dedicating their entire lives to figuring out the world around them; consequently, many distinct thoughts have been recorded regarding overlapping concepts. For example, in the works, Antigone by Sophocles, On Justice, Power, and Human Nature by Thucydides, and The Republic by Plato, there have been different accounts of the def inition and significance of justice. Each work is significant to western civilization because it is applicable to the