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Sean McCarthy
Mrs. Gilbert
Honors Freshman English
24 October 2013
Pride Without Prejudice
Sophocles was the Shakespeare of his era, coming up with priceless works of art that are just
as important today and prevalent today as when he wrote them. In the Golden Age of Greece, many
plays were written. While few survived, the ones that did play an important impact on today’s society.
One of the most important and interesting plays is Antigone. It represents so many aspects of life, like
love and pride. Sophocles uses characterization, man vs. man conflict, and situational irony in order to
demonstrate the theme of pride.
The element of characterization contributes to the theme of pride. Characterization is when the
writer reveals characteristics of a character. In Antigone, characterization is represented by Creon’s
hubris. In Antigone, Creon exhibits hubris by responding to Teiresias by saying, “I would not yield. I am
not afraid of pollution” (Sophocles 1053). This shows that Creon will not listen to the advice of a
prophet that helped give him his power as king. This element contributes to the theme of pride because
Creon is having too much pride to listen to what Teiresias has to say. Another example is when
Antigone is fighting with her sister Ismene. Antigone responds to Ismene's concerns by saying “You
need not be: You have your self to consider after all”(Sophocles 1023). This instance helps to illustrate
the element because Antigone has too much pride to listen to her sisters advice.
The element of man vs. man conflict contributes to the theme of pride. Man vs. man conflict is a
conflict that pits one character against another. In Antigone, a man vs. man conflict occurs between
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Antigone and Creon. This is shown when Creon says, “And yet you dared defy the law” (Sophocles
1035), and Antigone responds, “I dared. It was not God’s proclamation” (Sophocles 1035). Another
example of a man vs. man conflict was between Creon and Haemon. This is shown when Haemon says,
“You have no right to trample on God’s right” (Sophocles 1044). To which Creon then responds ‘Fool,
adolescent fool! Taken in by a women”(Sophocles 1044). This element contributes to the theme of
pride because Antigone and Creon each feel that they are right, and both show pride in not accepting
that they are wrong. Haemon and Creon’s conflict contributes to the element of pride because Creon
has too much pride to listen to the advice of his son.
The element of situational irony contributes to the theme of pride. Situational irony is the
difference between what the audience expects, and what actually happens. In Antigone, situational irony
occurs when Antigone kills herself. This is shown when the play says, “She made a noose of her fine
linen veil And hanged herself”(Sophocles 1058). Another example is when the play says, “Creon shrank
back; the blade missed, and the boy, Desperate against himself drove in half its length”(Sophocles
1058). This element contributes to the theme of pride, because Antigone had too much pride to be
killed by Creon so she took her own life. Haemon also could not live in a world without his wife, so he
killed himself, because he did not want to be killed by Creon for Haemon's attempted murder.
So as shown, the theme of pride, in particular, was represented by characterization, man vs.
man conflict and situational irony. Antigone’s need to bury her brother also represents her loyalty to her
family. Family has always been something that you will always have no matter the situation. This play,
also represents aspects of life that we need to learn from. Many people show too much pride instead of
listening to common sense. It also allows people to know that power is good, but should not be abused.
This play, like many other aspects from that time period still play an important effect on the world
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around us today.
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Works Cited
Sophocles. “Play.” The Language Of Literature. Applebee, Arthur N., et al. Boston: McDougal Littell
Inc, 2006. 1020­ 1060. Print.