An avid reader of mythology may notice that a typical Greek myth probably contains at least one person who can be admired for his heroics. In a Greek story, the definition of a hero or hero would be: “a figure is a representative of a man whose conflict is similar to those that the audience expects to meet (if the audience is alive at the time when the story takes place) but more common or magnificent… It is the desire of divinity in all its irreconcilable splendor, but restricted to manners” (Mythology, Philosophy, Antigone I).
In some respects, mortal women in Greek myths were as capable as men of displaying greater heroic and personal strength. The tragic example of Antigone is a classic example.
Antigone is a legendary play written in 441 B.C. in the philosopher Sophocles. It was the third story in the trilogy about the cursed family of Oedipus, who unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy of his father’s murder, married his mother, and fathered four children from her. Finding out what he had done, he put out his eyes and banished himself from the kingdom. Oedipus’ children were to live tragic lives, and his daughter Antigone was not exempt. The story of her name also revolves around her.
His two brothers, Eteocles and Polynieces, killed each other in the war of the kingdom of Thebes. Eteocles defended Thebes, and was honored by him and given a proper burial. Polynices denied the commandment of the gods by this rite, because he fought on that side against Thebes. Polyniece’s body was left in the wilderness for the wild animals to devour and tear, and whoever went against the King. they also took care to publicly stone his burial. Oedipus against the king’s command, who is also his uncle and two dead boys. The right of burial was provided for the violated brother. He knows he will die for this, but he doesn’t care. If she dies, she will join the rest of her beloved family in the underworld where they will never be separated again.
Oedipus is caught, and when this happens he declares that he has acted for the will of the Gods, and that he is a king who is unjust. The king, enraged, orders him to be buried alive in a cave, in spite of Antigone, his son’s betrothed. When the old prophet comes to the king, he chastises him and tells him that the gods will suffer him, because he does not allow one of his people to have his own burial, and by burying an innocent virgin in the caves to make a sentence of death for what he knew. just for God
The king immediately ordered that Polyniece be given a suitable burial, but it was too late because her body had already been torn apart by cattle. He orders Antigone to be freed, but it is too late for this to happen. Antigone killed herself to prevent herself from suffering the madness that would eventually overtake her when she spent a long time surrounded by dark solitude stone cold . “The only thing she truly owns is her body and that is the only thing she can sacrifice to gain glory” (Antigone’s Conflicting Roles 1). The king’s son sees his dead bride and kills himself, holding her dying body. When the queen knows only about herself, she also becomes aware of the death of her living son. life, cursing the last breath. Thus the King endures endless torture, and Antigone is strengthened by justice.
Greek women in Antigone’s day “suffered their souls, never to be seen in public, except at solemn feasts, weddings, or funerals” (Antigone’s Conflicting Roles 1). However, this particular story allows a woman not only to go against the man in her family, to know what is right, but also the ruler of her house in Thebes. He does not hide himself in mourning, nor does he take a decision without action, because it was given by the authority of the figure. The lack of fear against the unjust power of superiors is a very progressive theme for Greek drama. It proves that a woman can overcome a man’s commands and do great glory… Sophocles places Antigone in a very unique position among Greek women. She is the vocal one who speaks silently to Thebes. In a society where a woman’s silence is expected, Antigone is forced to speak because the Theban men are afraid to speak.
Oedipus is the model hero for the story. He was faithful to his family, his gods, and his religion. He could stand until death. This authority was strong enough to condemn, while it was not fair to rule. Even when he was condemned, he still proclaimed with his mouth all the reasons why it was right and that the king had sinned. What the men of Thebes knew was right to do, but they were too lazy. Even a good day to die hard actions of a heroic nature. Accepting the bad thing, he chose to die by his own hand, while he still had a sound mind and a strong body. He dies with dignity, not as a vain and vain person. His life and death are the sum of those having a heroic nature.
Works cited:
Antigone’s Conflicts. Retrieved March 21, 2005, from http://bonefish.rsmas.miami.edu/femar/Members/Farmer/Antigone% 20%Conflicting%Roles.htm
Mythology, Philosophy, Antigone: The Contextual Significance of a Fifth-Century Athenian Tragedy. Retrieved March 21, 2005, from http://home.nycap.rr.com/foxmob/antigone.com
Sophocles (1987) Antigone (Andrew Brown, Trans.). ARIS AND SVA (Original work written in 441 B.C.).
