What are the main themes of Antigone?
Antigone Themes
- Fate and Free Will. A central theme of Antigone is the tension between individual action and fate.
- Rules and Order. Antigone contrasts two types of law and justice: divine or religious law on one hand, and the law of men and states on the other.
- Determination.
- Power.
- Women and Femininity.
- Mortality.
Is loyalty a theme in Antigone?
Two major themes that run throughout Sophocles’ play Antigone are loyalty and power. Loyalty and power are what drive the play forward; this theme affects not only Antigone, but Creon as well. Creon, who is the king and Antigone’s uncle, sets a law in place that no one is to bury or even mourn the death of Polynices.
How does Danae relate Antigone?
The chorus alludes to another goddess, Danae, when they speak of how Antigone will be locked away in a cell where sunlight cannot touch her. Danae, was the daughter of King Acrisius, who was locked away in a tower when prophecy stated her son would kill her father.
What major themes does the exodus illustrate Antigone?
The Exodus or closing lines of Antigoneemphasize the play’s overall theme and stress the cause of Creon’s tragic downfall. The Choragos (in some translations also called “Leader” or simply “Chorus”) observes: “Knowledge truly is by far the most important part of happiness, but one must neglect…
What is the moral lesson of Antigone?
In Antigone, the moral of the story is that of fate. This moral is incorporated through the actions of both Creon and Antigone. The moral also corresponds with a recurring theme of the abuse of power, something that Creon is more than guilty of.
What are five elements of tragedy in Antigone?
In his book on dramatic theory titled Poetics, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) identifies six elements of tragedy: plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle and song. The first two, plot and character, are the most significant as they define the action and the moral implications of the play.
What laws does Antigone follow?
Antigone heeds the laws of custom and religion, not the laws of men like Creon. She believes she is obeying a higher power than Creon’s imperfect man-made legislation. Antigone says she knows she must die.
Is family a theme in Antigone?
Betrayal of Family Loyalty In the play Antigone, written by Greek playwright Sophocles, loyalty to family seems to be a recurring theme. Creon is also family (their father’s brother), but he, however, betrays this family trust and loyalty when he sentences Antigone to death for disobeying his law.
What theme does Teiresias prophecy reveal?
Which theme does Teiresias’ prophecy reveal? Divine authority holds the ultimate power.
Which God is the most important to Antigone?
Zeus In Antigone
- Zeus represents the God of order and the God of law and power.
- Their justice is swift and harsh, and they show no discrimination, whether it be to a slave or to a king, such as Creon.
What is the moral lesson in Antigone?
What was the message in Antigone?
The message of Antigone is told by the Choragos to the audience at the end of the play. It means that those that those who lack wisdom cannot ever truly be happy. This wisdom has to come to them in submission to the gods. Big words, also known as hubris, are always punished.