What Is The Play Antigone About?

What Is The Play Antigone About? Examinating the symmetry between Creon and Antigone procives important insights into the themes of the work. The play is about a war between different values as much as it is about the struggle between two strong-willed people and religion. Antigone is struggling against Creon, but she is also struggling against patriarchy, the power of the state, and the rules of larger society. Creon is battling Antigone, but he is also fighting against chaos, disorder, the unravelling of the social fabric. I think when Sophocles wrote the play Antingone he had many points to make and maybe in a way mock aspects of traditional Greek life. One main subject the play focuses on is pride. Pride and its effects are a central part of what Antingone is about. Both Antigone and Creon are incredibly proud, their pride contrasts with each other by their different sets of beliefs, they both believe that their own belief is the correct one and will not compromise because they are to proud to back down. Neither one of them will give way once they have taken a stand for what they believe to be right. Pride is what seals the fate of Creon, because as a human, Creon believes pride is a sign of greatness, but this goes against the Gods' idea who tend to bring suffering to the proud. We see Creon acting very proud when his son Heamon tries to offer him friendly advice, and

  • Word count: 1504
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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The Saga of Kirke.

Jim Noojin The Saga of Kirke Rewrite In various situations in the Kirke episode the themes of false paradise and loyalty are present. The Island of Kirke gives itself a false appearance of divinity. The goddess Kirke gives off a false appearance of enchantment and courtesy. Odysseus and his men convey the theme of loyalty throughout the episode of Kirke to each other. Odysseus shows loyalty not just to his men, but to his wife and his homeland as well. From the ship's arrival on the shore the island gives itself a false appearance of divinity. Odysseus narrates that an unseen god has lured them into the cove: "We came/ washed in our silent ship upon her shore/ and found a cove, a haven for a ship-/ some god, invisible, conned us in" (154-157). False appearance of divinity comes out on third day on the island of Kirke. On Odysseus's way back to the seashore from the observation rock he comes across a big buck, which he kills to feed his men. Odysseus perceives the buck as a gift from the gods: "[...], some god's compassion/ Set a big buck in motion to cross my path- [...]/ So hands were washed to take what heaven sent us" (173-200). Kirke herself gives off a false appearance to the men. When the first group of Odysseus's men come to the house, they were enticed by the goddess's song: "In the entrance way they stayed to listen there:" (240-241).

  • Word count: 1093
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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Choose such a scene from 'Antigone' and explain what makes it dramatic.

Choose such a scene from 'Antigone' and explain what makes it dramatic. 'Antigone´ is based on the age-old conflict between the requirements of human and divine law. This problem is shown in the dispute over the burial of Polynices, in which King Creon´s understanding of political laws is opposed to Antigone´s religious duties and beliefs. The positions of Antigone and Creon are conflicting, but both retain the same stubborn belief that they are right. Based on this, the most dramatic scene is therefore the confrontation between these two characters. The opening speech by the chorus sets the scene for the conflict in the play. The tension and suspense of 'Antigone´ is felt immediately. Antigone feels that it is her duty to bury her dead brother, Polynices. The Greek view of death was that a person´s soul could never come to rest unless their body had been buried, otherwise they would remain eternally on Earth. It is Creon´s contrasting views on Polynices´ body´s welfare that makes the play 'Antigone´ so intriguing. Whilst Creon believes that he has to stand by the edict that he predetermined, Antigone feels the divine law should be carried out and that a state law is inadequate by comparison. The chorus tells the audience what is going to happen, which is surprising. From this you know the fate of Antigone, from her actions of disregarding the state law. The story

  • Word count: 2333
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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Death of Epicharmus of Cos

An investigation into gladiators lives and why Romans were interested in them Gladiators Although they occupied one of the lowest rungs on the Roman society hierarchical ladder, Gladiators were widely regarded as some of the bravest members of Roman society. A gladiator was considered a professional fighter and apart from fighting other gladiators, would also pit his skills against animals in amphitheatres all over the Roman Empire. It is believed that the first gladiators were slaves, made to fight at the funeral of an aristocrat, Junius Brutus Pera in 264BC. These "battles" started out as simple ceremonial acts at funerals before evolving into the sort of grand entertainment that we now think of as a typical day in the colliseum or indeed any of the amphitheatres around the empire. The word Gladiator comes from the Latin meaning swordsman, which in turn comes from the word gladius which was a short sword used by soldiers in the Roman army. Gladiators were usually men but few were women, usually slaves or prisoners who were bought by a manager and trainer of gladiators (known as a lanista) in order to be trained as proper gladiators. There were also some free men who actually volunteered to be gladiators, no doubt looking for the icon status that the profession offered to victorious entrants, a lot like "celebrities" of today aspiring to becoming famous and idolised. All

  • Word count: 3545
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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How important are the concepts of destiny and fate and the role of the gods in the sections of Book II that you have read?

How important are the concepts of destiny and fate and the role of the gods in the sections of Book II that you have read? The concept of 'fate' is arguably the most important theme in, not only book II, but the entire Aeneid. . From the very beginning of the Aeneid Fate decrees that Aeneas must reach Italy with all of his crew and go on to found Lavinium. It is important to realise just what was meant by 'Fate' - this is a completely different idea to that of the Gods. The Gods were not Fate, Fate was not their will. Even Jupiter could not alter Fate; he was merely the instrument to bring about fate of the people. Fate is also frequently misunderstood; it was not a man's entire life laid out before him, but the start and the finish. He himself could decide the path he took to reach this pre-destined destination, all that was certain was that he would arrive here in the end. Aeneas does not have a choice in these matters; because Fate is final and cannot be altered, even by the gods - this is demonstrated when, after numerous failed attempts to foil Aeneas on his way to fulfilling his destiny, Juno is ordered by Jupiter to abandon her futile struggle against him. The Gods can, and do, alter the path the man may take, as Juno does, and as Athena does when helping the Greeks build the Wooden Horse, and helping Sinon, the Greek agent, to convince the Trojans to accept the gift.

  • Word count: 1175
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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Cyclopes

Cyclops's Island * Odysseus starts of by Telling King Alcinous his story, Calypso kept him prisoner for seven years because she wanted home to be her husband. Circe same for 1 year * Wind from Illium (Troy) also took him to Ismarus the city of the Cicones. They destroyed Ismarus and killed all the men; they took lots of plunder (treasure, flock and women. There he told his men that they must quickly escape, but men refused. * The other Cicones told the Cicones from the surrounding area and men attacked in chariots, during the night they got the upper hand on Achaean s, and broke in ranks killing 6 men from every ship, they then escaped and sailed away * Rested on land for 2 days and 2 nights after being caught up in strong winds, because feared they wouldn't survive. On third set sail again * For nine days they chased winds and on the tenth day they came across, the land of the lotus eats. Odysseus sent two men to investigate and the lotus-eaters gave them lotus to eat which made them loose all will to go home. Odysseus used to force to bring the men back to the ships and tied them under benches and set sail quickly. * Came to Goat Island that had lots of trees and goats. It had never been ploughed or grazed on. Cyclopes have no boats to travel, but they have a safe harbour. They landed here and took 9 goats fro every ship. They drank and ate . * The land of

  • Word count: 835
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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Why is Antigone not called Creon?

NAQUIB RUPAWALLA Myth & Meaning CLA-111-004 ANTIGONE By reading Sophocles', Antigone, one may think that the name of the play should be Creon instead; this is because the tragedies he goes through in the play, in my view is much greater than nay of the other characters. It is hence clear that he is a tragic character, but not the only tragic character in the play. In my view, Antigone is not only battling against Creon, but she is also clashing against patriarchy, the power of the state, and the rules of the society, all in good virtue. Through her actions, Antigone proves to be more of the tragic heroine than simply a tragic character. Antigone certainly qualifies Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero in that the character is neither completely noble nor entirely evil. The Chorus reminds the reader that Antigone is a threat to order and the law that protects the good of the people, because she is in opposition to "the throne of Justice". On the other hand there are different justices at work in the play: there is justice symbolized by Creon, which are man made laws, and there is justice symbolized by Antigone, which are laws of morals and the right thing to do. What makes Antigone more of a tragic "heroine", is the idea of the individual and their sense of right and wrong, struggling against the strength of the state and its laws. This theme, is what I think made me

  • Word count: 393
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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What was life like in the Roman Army and what made them successful?

The Roman Army By Abhishek Kulkarni 5.4 What was life like in the Roman Army and what made them successful? Contents Page P.I & II - Cover and Contents P.III - Introduction to the Roman Army P.IV- Ranks and Training in the Roman Army P.V- Equipment and Weapons P.VI- Weapons (cont.) and Artillery P.VII- Artillery (cont.) P.VIII- The testudo and pay in the Roman Army P.IX- Conclusion What was life like in the Roman Army and what made them successful? The Roman Army (100 BC- 100AD) Introduction The Roman army was a complex and well-built organisation. They were used in daily life to keep order in society and use their architectural skills to build roads and other things essential to the developing Roman life. All of the soldiers were taught to not react to violence, and this is what they did; it gave them the capability to kill hundreds of other men, and not think about it, only about the benefit to the Roman Empire. Training was by far the hardest part of a soldier's time in the Army for they were pushed to the point of exhaustion, only to make them stronger in battle. The period from 107 BC - 27 BC was known as the period of Marian reform. In this period, the Roman consul, Gaius Marius carried out a programme of reform in the Roman military, forming a structured, and extremely dangerous unstoppable force out of a feeble civilian army.. In 107 BC, all citizens,

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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Classics - Notes on Acharnians

The Acharnians Satire & Impersonation * Ambassadors are mocked. o Almighty boasting. o "Strut" in. o Peacock feathers. * Ambassadors exaggerate journey. o Further mocked by Dikaiopolis' snide, sarcastic comments. * Ambassador of Persia is a liar. o Pseudo-Persian. o Tries to fool people at assembly. * Theoros the diplomat. o Promise of great army, weak army comes. o Exaggerated story. o Useless to Athens, like the ambassador. * Euripides. o Writing plays in the bath - eccentric. o Euripides is made to look amusing, but is a liked character as he is kind and generous to the hero. o Over-dramatic about his loss - he has only lost a few costume parts. o Stuck in his own genre - speaks in tragic verse most of the time. o Even his slave speaks tragically. * Lamachos. o A real general, so audience immediately expects exaggerated characteristics and stereotyping. o (See character notes). * Boetian stereotype. o Wide boy, businessman. o Likes to be entertained and the centre of attention. o Attracts attention to himself, i.e. with musicians. o He is a social chameleon; he thanks Dikaiopolis for ridding of the musicians, where he requested the song in the first place! o Regular sales talk and repeated phrases, i.e. "As a purely personal favour". o Real entrepreneur - thinks he can make money out of an informer. * Megarian is a stereotype impersonation of

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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Was Odysseus a hero?

Was Odysseus a hero? I feel that Odysseus can be a hero at some times and very selfish at other times. During the war in Troy, Odysseus was a true hero, as he thought elegantly and cared for his men well. However, in books 9, 10 and 12, Odysseus is definitely not playing the role of a hero among his crew. Odysseus was a bad hero because he constantly put his own curiosity above the well-being of his men. For instance, he got them into the Cyclops dilemma because he wanted to know what was on their island. . When they were in the land of the Cyclops, Odysseus refused to simply raid the cave and leave. He would rather have risked the lives of his men and stay to be foolish. When they arrive on Circe's island, Odysseus sends a group of his men to go find out who lives in Circe's house. The group of men gets turned into pigs, and he takes the rest of his men to go rescue them. They end up spending a year with Circe, which they wouldn't have if Odysseus had just set sail without exploring the island. If Odysseus was a hero, he wouldn't just think about himself, but others too. And then in book ten, while the men were on the island of Circe, Odysseus was most unfaithful to his wife. He succumbed to the seduction of Circe, and didn't have a second thought about it. If he had been thinking about Penelope, he could have found another method to get her to release his men from her

  • Word count: 681
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Classics
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