Kelsey Vandegrift
Ms. Peifer
Hour 5 10 IB
26 November 2008
Antigone was the daughter and niece to two kings. Because she comes from such a political family, she should have known her actions against the government would not be accepted. Antigone was acting deliberately and was fully aware of it when she broke Creon’s law. Although Creon is her uncle, his laws still apply to her as much as anyone else. This fact proves she is guilty.
Antigone is very determined to give her brother Polyneices’ the proper burial he deserves. Her plan to do this is already set when Creon’s finalizes his new law, “They say that Creon has sworn no one shall bury him, no one mourn for him” (Sophocles 816). Antigone says this to her sister Ismene soon after their brother’s death. This shows that although she understands the king’s law perfectly well, she is still intent on burying Polyneices. Ismene replies to her idea, telling Antigone, “Bury him! You have just said the new law forbids it!” (816). The words even pass through Antigone’s mouth, proving she knows she is breaking the law.
Antigone accepts the fact she is breaking Creon’s law at the precise moment she has decided to bury Polyneices. However, she believes breaking the law is essential for doing the right thing and therefore feels her actions are just. “But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death” (817). In her heart, breaking the law, disobeying her uncle and dying are all worth it if she can give her brother the respect he deserves. Her conscious is innocent to her because the law has no meaning to her. Polyneices served his city just like his brother Eteocles and earns all the same honors.
However, even if Antigone herself feels she has not committed a crime, she still has. She knowingly broke Creon’s law. Creon has every right to create a law; it is his right as king. Antigone broke her uncle’s law and it resulted in her aunt’s, her lover’s and her own suicide. Now Creon, the innocent king, must deal with the death of his family which was started by Antigone breaking his law.
Works Cited
Spohocles. "Antigone." Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature.
Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001.
814-826
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
LRJ #2
An important repeated image throughout Antigone is the image of a dead body being feasted on by animals. Antigone says about Polyneices' body, "But his body must lie in the fields, a sweet treasure for the carrion birds to find as they search for food" (Sophocles 816). This image is very important to the story because the thought of her brother's body being unburied is Antigone's motive throughout the entire play. The image of Polyneices' body rotting and being eaten is very disrespectful and disgusting to Antigone. She demands proper burial rites for her brother so he can rest in peace.
Creon's fatal flaw in the play is his stubbornness. He refuses over and over again to listen to anyone else. This leads to his niece, son and wife to all commit suicide. "No doubt. Speak; Whatever you say, you will not change my will" (837). Creon says this to Teiresias because his predictions are not what Creon wants to hear. Although it is obvious Teiresias' predictions will come true, Creon's stubborn personality doesn't allow him to realize this and his whole life comes crashing down because of it.
During the play Creon has a moment of anagnorsis which is when he realizes the truth. Creon is able to understand how his actions have caused him so much distress. "I alone am guilty. I know it, and I say it" (841). He is able to recognize how his stubbornness and his rules have lead to the death of his entire family. Creon's perpeteia and his reversal of circumstances comes when he realizes what fate he has left his niece to, "Oh it is hard to give in! but it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride" (837). Creon finally understands that his family is more important than anything else and his laws and stubbornness need to be put aside. Unfortunately he realizes this too late. The catharsis of the play occurs when Creon's realization to what he has done overcomes him. "Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing. Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust" (842). Creon has come to recognize the fact that everything he has done has ended horribly. His family is dead and it is all his fault. This makes the audience feel a strong surge of pity for Creon.
In the play, women are characterized as both strong, brave and influential along with unsure and scared. Antigone represents the strong-willed women. "Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way" (816). Antigone is so determined that even her uncle, the king, will not stop her from doing what she thinks is right. Her bravery overpowers anything and everyone. Her sister, Ismene represents women in the complete opposite way of Antigone. "But think of the danger! Think of what Creon will do!" (816). This shows women as unsure and scared to act. Ismene says herself, "I have no strength to break laws that were made for public good" (817). Although Ismene may want to help her sister, she is afraid to disobey the laws to do so. The characterization of women in both ways shows how both men and women thought of a woman in society in that time.
Works Cited
Spohocles. "Antigone." Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. 814-826
Creon's fatal flaw in the play is his stubbornness. He refuses over and over again to listen to anyone else. This leads to his niece, son and wife to all commit suicide. "No doubt. Speak; Whatever you say, you will not change my will" (837). Creon says this to Teiresias because his predictions are not what Creon wants to hear. Although it is obvious Teiresias' predictions will come true, Creon's stubborn personality doesn't allow him to realize this and his whole life comes crashing down because of it.
During the play Creon has a moment of anagnorsis which is when he realizes the truth. Creon is able to understand how his actions have caused him so much distress. "I alone am guilty. I know it, and I say it" (841). He is able to recognize how his stubbornness and his rules have lead to the death of his entire family. Creon's perpeteia and his reversal of circumstances comes when he realizes what fate he has left his niece to, "Oh it is hard to give in! but it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride" (837). Creon finally understands that his family is more important than anything else and his laws and stubbornness need to be put aside. Unfortunately he realizes this too late. The catharsis of the play occurs when Creon's realization to what he has done overcomes him. "Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing. Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust" (842). Creon has come to recognize the fact that everything he has done has ended horribly. His family is dead and it is all his fault. This makes the audience feel a strong surge of pity for Creon.
In the play, women are characterized as both strong, brave and influential along with unsure and scared. Antigone represents the strong-willed women. "Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way" (816). Antigone is so determined that even her uncle, the king, will not stop her from doing what she thinks is right. Her bravery overpowers anything and everyone. Her sister, Ismene represents women in the complete opposite way of Antigone. "But think of the danger! Think of what Creon will do!" (816). This shows women as unsure and scared to act. Ismene says herself, "I have no strength to break laws that were made for public good" (817). Although Ismene may want to help her sister, she is afraid to disobey the laws to do so. The characterization of women in both ways shows how both men and women thought of a woman in society in that time.
Works Cited
Spohocles. "Antigone." Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: World Literature. Trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001. 814-826
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Who Done It?
Polyneices the son of Oedipus and nephew of King Creon was found dead two days ago. Although Polyneices was a disappointment to our city, speaking ill of the dead is terrible so this article will refrain from it. After investigation into the case it was learned that Eteocles was the murderer. After a throw down between the two brothers, a winner could not be chosen. The fight killed them both. Polyneices' body was found covered dusted in dirt in an attempt to bury him. This action was obviously against the new law Creon had just created. Only honorable people such as Eteocles were allowed to be buried properly. Therefore, Creon was furious when he learned his other nephew was the body that had been tried to be buried. A sentry took on the job of finding "who done it" at the risk of losing his own life. After careful investigation it was concluded that Antigone, niece of Creon and sister to the dead brothers Eteocles and Polyneices, was the culprit. Antigone had only one thing to say, "They are my flesh and blood. They both deserve proper burials". The fate of Antigone has still to be decided.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Windows Give Light
My family's previous computer was a Windows 1998. Let's just call it a monster and be done with it. I'm sad to say that until Christmas of 2006 the antique was all we had. Throughout the years the contraption occupied the house, the only upgrade was the furniture it lived on.
However, while it lasted the computer was magnificent. It allowed me to play the highly entertaining and educational games such as Reader Rabbit and Oregon Trail. As I grew older the new fad was Roller Coaster Tycoon. My brother was my inspiration for that game. He won every award a park could win and he taught me all he knew. The Sims was also an influential game but unfortunately we didn't own it so I had to wander on over to my friend's Mac to be able to enjoy it.
After this stage of my computer years the games turned into instant messaging. This phase lasted a very long time. I created five user names I could list right now, but I won't because they're thoroughly embarrassing. Instant messaging turned into a thing called Myspace. I am proud to say that after having my Myspace for only a little over a year I completed the difficult task of deleting my existence off the site.
This is around the time our new computer came to us. On Christmas my twenty year old brother, seventeen year old sister and I came down to open our presents. Only when I asked my mom with a sarcastic tone, "Mom you got us a new mouse for Christmas?" and she replied, "Well it's for our new computer!" did I realize the gigantic pile of boxes the computer mouse sat atop was our brand new computer. It was a brand new Windows Dell (is that the correct name?) with a beautiful sleek black look to it.
Now Facebook has evovled and I must say I can't see myself getting rid of mine anytime soon. It is positively amazing to log right on to Facebook and be able to see all my friends know what they're up to. My favorite part of the whole thing is searching through ancient photos of everyone recalling all the memories from them.
Along with Facebooking, Minesweeper is my choice of game this days. My record for beginner is 4 seconds and my record for intermediate is 36 seconds which I think is fairly good. Unfortunately I still have to tackle the expert grid. Sadly I have only completed one so far.
The best news of all happened just recently. We upgraded to high speed Internet finally. Not that our Internet before was slow but this way I have the unbelievably fabulous ability to catch-up on every single Lost episode made so I will be ready when the new season starts in January.
Now about this blogging. It's spectacular. I prefer reading other blogs rather than writing my own (which you may not understand due to the length of this post). But so far this blogging has been really fun and has already made a difference in the community of our classroom.
However, while it lasted the computer was magnificent. It allowed me to play the highly entertaining and educational games such as Reader Rabbit and Oregon Trail. As I grew older the new fad was Roller Coaster Tycoon. My brother was my inspiration for that game. He won every award a park could win and he taught me all he knew. The Sims was also an influential game but unfortunately we didn't own it so I had to wander on over to my friend's Mac to be able to enjoy it.
After this stage of my computer years the games turned into instant messaging. This phase lasted a very long time. I created five user names I could list right now, but I won't because they're thoroughly embarrassing. Instant messaging turned into a thing called Myspace. I am proud to say that after having my Myspace for only a little over a year I completed the difficult task of deleting my existence off the site.
This is around the time our new computer came to us. On Christmas my twenty year old brother, seventeen year old sister and I came down to open our presents. Only when I asked my mom with a sarcastic tone, "Mom you got us a new mouse for Christmas?" and she replied, "Well it's for our new computer!" did I realize the gigantic pile of boxes the computer mouse sat atop was our brand new computer. It was a brand new Windows Dell (is that the correct name?) with a beautiful sleek black look to it.
Now Facebook has evovled and I must say I can't see myself getting rid of mine anytime soon. It is positively amazing to log right on to Facebook and be able to see all my friends know what they're up to. My favorite part of the whole thing is searching through ancient photos of everyone recalling all the memories from them.
Along with Facebooking, Minesweeper is my choice of game this days. My record for beginner is 4 seconds and my record for intermediate is 36 seconds which I think is fairly good. Unfortunately I still have to tackle the expert grid. Sadly I have only completed one so far.
The best news of all happened just recently. We upgraded to high speed Internet finally. Not that our Internet before was slow but this way I have the unbelievably fabulous ability to catch-up on every single Lost episode made so I will be ready when the new season starts in January.
Now about this blogging. It's spectacular. I prefer reading other blogs rather than writing my own (which you may not understand due to the length of this post). But so far this blogging has been really fun and has already made a difference in the community of our classroom.
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