Creon's Internal Conflict--Antigone Blog Post

Antigone's AP Essay Prompt

1999: The eighteenth-century British novelist Laurence Stern wrote, "Nobody, but he who has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man's mind torn asunder by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time."

From Antigone choose a character (not necessarily the protagonist) whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences. Then, in a well-organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting forces and explain how this conflict within one character illuminates the meaning of a work as a whole. Avoid plot summary.

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     In Sophocles’ “Antigone”, Creon, the new king of Thebes, has his mind pulled on two different directions in front of a conflict. After his niece tries bury her brother, who has betrayed Thebes, Creon orders for the traitor to be killed, until he learns that it’s his niece who has committed the crime. Creon now faces a moral conflict, with two sides of equal strength, either to appear strong and determined as the new king of Thebes, or to follow his heart and pardon his niece’s life.

     Creon’s first reaction to hearing of this crime is of rage. He’s very upset towards this criminal, until he learns that it’s his own niece, Antigone, who has committed this terrible act. He has just become the new king of Thebes, and wants to be seen as a strong leader by his new people, but his heart thinks otherwise. Through Sophocles’ description of Creon’s emotions, we see that he is deeply concerned about being an unmovable and capable leader for his people.

     While Creon tries to maintain his position as robust king, he’s also profoundly worried about his niece, Antigone. Creon feels a very strong bond towards her, both as her niece and fiancée of his son. However, this feeling is not reciprocal, as Antigone seems stoic, almost like she doesn’t care about being executed at all. This family connection affects Creon’s opinions about the sentence for Antigone, and makes it very hard for him to make a decision.

     Creon’s internal conflict it’s a very humane one, and is relatable to most of us readers. Every time we make a decision between two plausible outcomes we face this conflict, to choose one alternative or the other. Creon’s case is especially appealing to readers since his conflict doesn’t really have a ‘right’ choice. Both alternatives have its pros and its cons. It’s the socially correct alternative against the morally correct one.

Greek Tragedy for Kindergarteners

Greek Tragedy for Kindergarteners

     Greek Tragedy is one of the earliest forms of theatre plays, it took place in ancient Greece, more than 2,000 years ago. As one of the earliest forms of theatre, it has had and still has a huge impact in theatre and drama today, even in cartoons and soap operas!

     What makes us, spectators, like to watch Greek Tragedy is that we can relate with the characters, we can feel what they are feeling. A “Hero” in Greek Tragedy isn’t a perfect human, he/she has flaws and makes mistakes like any one of us, like you and like me.

     Some of the important vocabulary words in Greek Tragedy are:

• Hubris: It occurs when a character is too arrogant, he is too confident in his abilities, and this causes his loss or downfall. For example, I say that I’m the best soccer player of the whole grade, but then one of my friends “me tira un caño” and then scores on me.
• Hamartia: It occurs when the hero commits a mistake unintentionally and this leads to his loss. For example, if I try to pass a pencil to one of my friends but when I throw it I hit him in the head and hurt him. I had good intentions, but the result was bad.
• Reversal: It happens when everything seems to go one way, but then quickly changes to the opposite way. For example, my team of soccer in lunch is winning by 2 goals, but then the other team scores 3 goals in the last minute and wins the game.
• Recognition: It occurs when the hero suddenly realizes of a love or hate bond with another character. For example, I get angry with my best friend but then I realize how much I love him/her, and apologize.
• Catharsis: It happens when the hero lets his emotions free and openly talks about them, it serves as a way to feel better and more relaxed with oneself. For example, if I think I made a mistake in the last exercise of the quiz, I discuss it with a classmate and this makes me feel better.