Antigone Blog: due by 11:59pm, 11-15-2013

In the lecture I gave you all on Tragedy, there was a quote towards the end from an introduction of the Theban plays, discussing Antigone.  The quote states:

“[Here is] tragedy– not in the martyrdom of obvious right under obvious wrong, but in the far more bitter, and at the same time more exhilerating, contest between two passionately held principles of right, each partly justifiable, and each to a degree (though one more than the other) vitiated by stubborn blindness to the merits of the opposite.” (Watling 11)

The quote reminds us that, although Creon's edict is ultimately shown by Sophocles to be incorrect, the two principles at odds are both essentially valid: on the one hand, the play is concerned with upholding the security of the city; on the other, we are confronted with the importance of upholding the timeless will of the gods.  Antigone ultimately would have posed a very challenging conundrum to its original audience since-- as the Chorus demonstrates-- at times, one principle seems more valid; at times, the other emerges as best.

Your assignment:

• Based on the character you were assigned, write a first-person justification of that character's perspective.  Some characters struggle with both (or more!) principles, so explain fully the thought process of those characters.  Some characters have a controversial stance, so (in character) justify that stance as passionately as that character would.
• Do your best to emulate the style of speech used in the play, and incorporate at least three CDs from the play, with citations.  Those quotes should be lines that your character actually says.
• Shoot for two long-ish paragraphs, and remember to incorporate those three CDs.

Remember: it's our job as readers to seek to understand these characters, not judge them.  Although it may be tempting to showcase your character as a two-dimensional nincompoop, try to imagine yourself actually in their shoes, and do your best to explore their complex motivations.

Part Assignments:

Antigone: Cassidy, Hannah S, Bryce

Haemon: Eric, Mariah, Keaton 

Teresias: Jon, Hanna K,  Nathan

Chorus: Madison, Amy, Rachel

Ismene: Mel, Tori, Dani

Creon: Sonia, Leyla, Matthew