ANTIGONE/BEOWULF
The tragedy and the Epic
ANTIGONE
ANTIGONE
 Greek Tragedy- Shows the downfall of a good person through a
fatal error or misjugdement
 Elements of Tragedy
•
•
•
•
•
•
Plot
Characters
Theme
Use of metaphors
Chorus
Spectacle (eye catching, public, dramatic, ex. Fight in the hallway)
TRAGIC HERO
 The Tragic Hero will be admirable and good
 The hero’s demise will come from a personal error or bad decision
 Anagorsis- when the tragic hero suddenly understands that his/her
actions caused their own death or heartache
 Hamartia- the mistake the hero made
 Nemesis- the punishment itself
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
 Chorus – Cautious, indecisive, discreet
 Guard – More courage and less wisdom
 Ismene – Passive and obedient
 Haemon – Importance of Reasoning
 Antigone – Uncompromising Realist
 Creon – Petty and intolerant
THEMES
 Sympathy for Antigone and Haemon
 Woman with audacity to challenge a male dominated world
 Vindictiveness of the King
 Right of a human being to dispute an unjust law
 Broader political allegory of Sophocles
ANTIGONE EQ’S
1. Is it more important to be right than to be happy?
2. Is it our responsibility to rebel again and break an unjust law?
3. What price should a person be willing to pay if they break an
unjust law?
4. Can a leader show uncertainty and maintain leadership?
BEOWULF
BEOWULF
 Anglo-Saxon Epic
• Epic- Long narrative poem, centered on a heroic or ‘god like’ figure
whose actions determine the fate of a nation, tribe, or race.
• Develop from oral traditions
• Setting will cover great geographical distances. Including heaven,
hell, future, past.
EPIC HERO
 Is significant and glorified
 Is on a quest
 Has superior or superhuman strength, intelligence, and or courage
 Is ethical
 Risks death for glory or for the greater good of society
 Performs brave deeds
 Is a strong and responsible leader
 Reflects the ideals of a particular society
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
 Aeschere- dear friend of King Hrothgar
 Beowulf- Strong and courageous prince of Geats
 Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, dragon- monsters
 Hygelac- King of the Geats, Beowulf ’s uncle
 Hrothgar- King of the Danes
 Unferth- Dane who is jealous of Beowulf and doubts he can do what he says
he can do
 Wiglaf- warrior who aids Beowulf
THEME
 Good vs. Evil
 Identity
 Strength and skill
 Courage
 Tradition and Customs
BEOWULF EQ’S
1. What qualities are essential in an Anglo-Saxon hero?
2. On what criteria does Beowulf base his decision? Why does he
do what he does?
3. What might monsters symbolize to Anglo-Saxons, to our culture?
4. What is the purpose of telling the story of Beowulf ? How do the
monsters reflect the dark side of the warrior’s life and values?
WHICH IS BETTER?
EVALUATION
To what degree will you go to preserve self-interest versus action on
behalf of the common good?
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
 Position Paper
• Imagine that you are the leader of a nation. Illegal immigration has
divided your nation to the point of civil war. You have two
daughters. One is married to an illegal immigrant; the other is
married to the general in your army.
YOUR CHOICES
 Option A: close the borders, post armed guards, and repatriate all
illegal immigrants. You do this is order to retain honor and tradition for
your country. Your daughter must repatriate with her husband, if not she
will be put to death.
 Option B: maintain an open border policy and suffer the consequences
of the country’s majority populace deposing and killing you and your
family. Your second daughter’s husband will lead the army against you.
YOUR MOST STATE THE
FOLLOWING
1. The moral issues behind each option. How will your choice effect
others.
2. Provide logical, ethical, and emotional justification for the
decision
3. Propose a compromise for the opposing side.
4. State your position clearly.
ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
 Papers should be at least 5 paragraphs and be one page long (front)
 Written in blue/ black ink or typed
 3 point deduction for every 5 spelling or grammar errors
 Due in three days ( 5
 points off for each day late)
 40 points total
START WRITING