Antigone
THEME
FATE V. FREE
WILL
SCENE / QUOTE
LITERARY DEVICES AND EFFECT
POWER AND
AUTHORITY
AUTHORIAL PURPOSE
CONTEXT (spirit of the time)
Dangers of autocracy
FAMILY
PRIDE AND
HONOUR
Chorus:
Reverence asks some reverence in return -- /
but attacks on power never go unchecked,/
not by the man who holds the reins of
power. /Your own blind will, your passion has
destroyed you.
(Episode 4)
Tiresias:
Take these to heart, my son, I warn you. / All
men make mistakes, it is only human./ But
once the wrong is done, a man/ can turn
back on his folly, misfortune too, / if he tries
to make amends, however low he’s fallen, /
and stops his bullnecked ways.
Stubbornness/ brands you for stupidity –
pride is a crime./ No, yield to the dead!/
Never stab the fighter when he’s down. /
Where’s the glory, killing the dead twice
over?
(Episode 5)
Effect:
Authorial purpose:
- Dangers of pride and
stubbornness
- Importance of divine law
Religious belief
Hierarchy between gods and
men
Politics
Authorial purpose:
- Creon’s wrongdoing
- Excessive pride and
stubbornness lead to a
downfall – referring to both
Antigone and Creon
Leadership
Allows them to discuss
Antigone
TRAGEDY
LOYALTY AND
BETRAYAL
GENDER MISOGYNISTIC
RELIGION