Essay on "Antigone as Tragic Heroine in Sophocles' Play"

Quoted Instructions for "Antigone as Tragic Heroine in Sophocles' Play" Assignment:

*****"Antigone*****"

Drama Analysis Essay

This paper is to be an analytical essay

Write an essay in which you argue your character Antigone as the tragic hero.

Refer to *****s definition of a tragic hero.

The Tragic Hero as Defined by *****

The Greek philosopher ***** presented his theory of drama in Poetics, written 350 B.C.E. Here is a summary of his basic ideas regarding the tragic hero. Keep these ideas in mind as we study the classical Greek tragedy Antigone. Then, as we move into modern dramas, consider how, if at all, *****Ÿs theory fits these works. Consider further the question, *****Is modern tragedy really *****žtragedy*****Ÿ at all?*****

Here*****Ÿs what ***** says about the tragic hero:

1. The tragic hero is a character of noble stature. He/she has an aura of greatness that is readily evident in the play in how other characters regard him/her, as well as in how he/she conducts himself/herself. He/she must occupy a *****"high*****" status position such as king or queen but must ALSO embody nobility and virtue as part of his/her innate character.

2. Though the tragic hero is recognized as great, he/she is not perfect. Otherwise, the rest of us--mere mortals--would be unable to identify with the tragic hero. We should see in him or her someone who is relatively like us, although perhaps holding a higher position in society.

3. The hero*****'s fall, or peripeteia (reversal of fortune) is inevitable. It is also at least partially the hero*****Ÿs own fault. It is the result of the hero*****Ÿs own free choice, not of accident or villainy or evil fate. In fact, the tragedy is usually triggered by some error of judgment or some character flaw. Remember, the hero is not perfect and does not always make the right choices. This error of judgment or character flaw is known as hamartia, which is usually translated as *****"tragic flaw.*****" Often the character*****'s hamartia involves hubris (which is defined as a sort of arrogant pride or over-confidence).

4. The hero*****'s misfortune is not wholly deserved even though that misfortune was most likely caused, at least in part, by the hero*****Ÿs own actions. However, the punishment greatly exceeds the crime.

5. The hero*****Ÿs fall is not pure loss, however. As a result of the fall, the tragic hero recognizes significant truth about himself/herself and understands how his/her character flaw or error in judgment has led to these consequences. Thus, the tragic hero accepts responsibility for his/her role in the fall and grows in awareness and self-knowledge, even though he/she often dies in the end. ***** called this recognition anagnorisis.

6. Though it arouses solemn emotion, tragedy does not leave its audience in a state of depression. ***** argues that one function of tragedy is to arouse the *****"unhealthy*****" emotions of pity and fear and through a catharsis (which comes from watching the tragic hero*****'s terrible fate) cleanse us of those emotions. It is worth remembering that Greek drama was not considered strictly *****"entertainment*****"; it had a communal function--to contribute to the good health of the community. Thus, dramatic performances were a part of religious festivals and community celebrations.

Literature for Compostion, Sylvan Barnet, William E. Cain, and William Burto Ninth Edition.

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