Respond to each of the following topics:
A. Explain how a theme of the play is summarized by the final words of the chorus. How is what they are saying relevant to events in the play? How can their words be applied to humans universally?
B. What does the chorus contribute to a viewing/ reading of the play? What does their presence allow the playwright to do that he might not otherwise be able to do?
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ReplyDeleteA) The theme of the play is summarized by the final words of the chorus by stating that when people overstep their boundaries due to their excessive amount of pride, then fate will come back to hurt them. The chorus also stated that when people make the mistake of hubris and then having to deal with the consequences of fate, they will be benefitted by wisdom in the end.They will know not to make the same mistakes in the future. Their message at the end of the play is shown throughout many events in the novel. Antigone was primarily punished for overstepping her pride when she disregarded the king’s orders, buried her brother, and then mocked King Creon after he talked to her about her crime. She then decided that her fate was to take her own life so she can be accepted by the gods in her afterlife. She gained the wisdom that it was better for herself to live in a world where she respects the laws of the gods than a world where she cannot accept a king who believes himself superior to the gods. Their message was also shown with the actions of King Creon. Since he believed that his laws were superior to any law of the gods, he had Antigone sent away into a rock vault for her crime of burying her traitor of a brother. After Antigone was sent away, King Creon had an argument with his son, Tiresias. Tiresias was the one who was supposed to marry Antigone. After Antigone was sent away and Tiresias had left very angry, a messenger had informed King Creon that his actions were not thoughtfully planned out and his judgement was wrong. The leader of the chorus then told King Creon that he still had time to fix his problems, however when Creon arrived at the rock vault he saw Antigone had killed herself and then Tiresias had done the same thereafter. As soon as Tiresias had killed himself, the mother Eurydice had found out and done the same. In the end, Creon was left with no one due to his hubris. He had realized that his excessive amount of pride had caused this downward spiral of events and he gained the wisdom that his actions affect others. He then knew the extent of what he had done. The words of the chorus can also be applied to humans universally because humans can also learn from their mistakes and become wiser after learning from their wrongs.
ReplyDeleteB)The chorus contributes a very significant part in the viewing/reading of the play. In a sense, the chorus acts as a narrator. They introduce themes that are happening in the play or about to happen, they introduce specific characters when they arrive, they go into detail about how the actions of certain characters will affect their fate, and they describe morals and beliefs that people have during the time of play. At the end of Antigone, the chorus was the group which had stated the entire message of the play. The chorus is essentially the voice of reason throughout the entirety of the play. The presence of the chorus allows the playwright to have a speaker or a narrator explain or foreshadow specific events in the play. The chorus sums up why certain events happen and give an insight on what is about to happen so that the audience has a better idea about what is going on. If there was no chorus, then the playwright wouldn’t be able to clearly explain background information or reveal the ultimate message of the play. The message is also very significant and leaves the audience more wise than they were prior to reading/viewing the play. Therefore the chorus does a great deal when conveying themes and messages.
ReplyDeleteA)The overlying theme of Antigone is that hubris plays a major in the lives of the characters. The main characters affected by hubris are Antigone and Creon. Both Creon and Antigone defy higher powers because of their hubris. After Thebes was involved a war with a neighboring city, Argos, Creon declares that Polynices, a soldier from Argos who onced lived in Thebes, is forbidden to receive burial rights. This declaration is a clear defiance against the Gods. Creon felt that Polynices, did not deserve them because he went against his own city. Creon felt that the laws of the city should be abided by, so Polynices’s actions were regarded as wicked by Creon. Creon knows that going against the Gods is wrong ,but he still feels that Polynices must suffer the consequences for his actions. Creon does not listen and feels that his actions are right, even after Tiresias, a blind prophet, tells Creon that he should not defy the Gods. In the end, Creon’s inability to listen to others causes him to have a major downfall. Another character who experiences a downfall due to their hubris is Antigone. She is a very strong-willed character that tends to fight for what she thinks is right. When she learns that her brother, Polynices, is not going to be given a proper burial, she decides to defy the laws and bury him herself. When Creon discovers her actions, he feels that she must be punished. Antigone sees nothing wrong with what she had done, and decided that she would accept what ever punishment she received. Antigone ends up killing herself because she did not feel that she should not be punished. If Antigone had waited, she would have lived because Creon was on his way to tell her that she was free to go. The Greek Chorus’s final line conveys the message that in order for everyone to survive, they have to be able to swallow their pride and again wisdom from situations that they are put in.
B) The Greek Chorus plays an important role in Antigone. They provide the exposition that is needed in order to understand the storyline, and comment on the play while it is occurring. Without the Greek Chorus the audience would not be as aware of all the actions that occur during the play. Also, they give a more indepth look behind certain characters and their actions. Sophocles is able to convey the message of his story because the Greek Chorus works as a conscience for every character in the play, and they make it easier for Sophocles to point out what the audience should take away from the play.
ReplyDeleteA. The final words from the chorus exemplify the theme of hubris that arises throughout the duration of the play. The idea that hubris is man’s downfall and that one can gain wisdom from their mistakes is discussed within these last few lines. The chorus says, “the mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long last those blows will teach us wisdom” (128). The chorus is saying that the proud may overstep their boundaries but that there are consequences for one’s actions and words. This idea can be seen when looking at Antigone’s actions. Antigone thought that it was only right for her to bury her brother, Polynices, even though there was a city law forbidding it. Antigone felt that she was abiding by the laws of the Gods, however, because they stated that everyone deserved the right to a proper burial. Her actions show her excessive pride because she knew burying her brother was going against the laws of the state, but she felt strongly about her beliefs and, therefore, ignored Creon’s orders. Her actions ultimately resulted in her death, although she never felt that her actions were wrong. This idea can also be seen when looking at Creon’s actions throughout the play. Creon did not want Polynices to be buried because he was a traitor who fought against Thebes. However, Creon was disobeying the laws of the Gods by forbidding Polynices’ burial. Also, Creon was warned by the blind prophet that he was wrong and that he needed to fix his mistakes, but Creon refused to listen. After much persuasion, Creon realized his faults and tried to make amends. However, it was too late and his actions, consequently, cost him his son and his wife. Overall, the words of the chorus can be applied to humans universally because everyone makes mistakes and crosses boundaries from time to time. What is important, though, is not the mistakes that are made, but the actions taken to try and correct the wrongs. Learning from one’s mistakes is a very important part of life
because this gained wisdom will ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated.
B. The chorus is very important to the viewing, as well as, to the reading of this play. The chorus provides the audience with some background information as well as commentary throughout the play. Another important job of the chorus is to describe reasoning for some of the actions of certain characters. Since the cast of many plays was often small, the presence of the chorus allows one person to play multiple characters. In this case, Sophocles is able to use the chorus to explain certain things to the audience, which ensures that the audience gains a deeper understanding of certain actions. Also, Sophocles uses the chorus to alleviate some tension and confrontation at several points throughout the play.
ReplyDeleteA. The final words from the chorus exemplify the theme of hubris that arises throughout the duration of the play. The idea that hubris is man’s downfall and that one can gain wisdom from their mistakes is discussed within these last few lines. The chorus says, “the mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long last those blows will teach us wisdom” (128). The chorus is saying that the proud may overstep their boundaries but that there are consequences for one’s actions and words. This idea can be seen when looking at Antigone’s actions. Antigone thought that it was only right for her to bury her brother, Polynices, even though there was a city law forbidding it. Antigone felt that she was abiding by the laws of the Gods, however, because they stated that everyone deserved the right to a proper burial. Her actions show her excessive pride because she knew burying her brother was going against the laws of the state, but she felt strongly about her beliefs and, therefore, ignored Creon’s orders. Her actions ultimately resulted in her death, although she never felt that her actions were wrong. This idea can also be seen when looking at Creon’s actions throughout the play. Creon did not want Polynices to be buried because he was a traitor who fought against Thebes. However, Creon was disobeying the laws of the Gods by forbidding Polynices’ burial. Also, Creon was warned by the blind prophet that he was wrong and that he needed to fix his mistakes, but Creon refused to listen. After much persuasion, Creon realized his faults and tried to make amends. However, it was too late and his actions, consequently, cost him his son and his wife. Overall, the words of the chorus can be applied to humans universally because everyone makes mistakes and crosses boundaries from time to time. What is important, though, is not the mistakes that are made, but the actions taken to try and correct the wrongs. Learning from one’s mistakes is a very important part of life
because this gained wisdom will ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated.
B. The chorus is very important to the viewing, as well as, to the reading of this play. The chorus provides the audience with some background information as well as commentary throughout the play. Another important job of the chorus is to describe reasoning for some of the actions of certain characters. Since the cast of many plays was often small, the presence of the chorus allows one person to play multiple characters. In this case, Sophocles is able to use the chorus to explain certain things to the audience, which ensures that the audience gains a deeper understanding of certain actions. Also, Sophocles uses the chorus to alleviate some tension and confrontation at several points throughout the play.
A.The final lines from the chorus in Antigone are a summary of the play’s moral. This should come as no surprise because the playwright includes lots of references Greek mythology, which typically contains some sort of wisdom or life-lesson. The first of these lines is “Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy,” a predictable statement as all the proud and unwise characters in the play come to a tragic end. The message of Antigone is clear. The playwright intended to warn readers against interfering with the wishes of the Gods . For a character such as Creon, pride clouded judgement and he took it upon himself to interfere with Polynices’ burial rites. Ultimately this earned him a most unpleasant destiny, including the loss of his wife and son as it was foretold in Tiresias’ prophecy. The final lines of the play read “The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long last those blows will teach us wisdom.” Creon represents the proud and his actions in defiance of the Gods allowed for “the mighty blows of fate” to befall him. In the end he requests to be hidden away for the remainder of his days, to reflect on his many faults and wallow in his shame.
ReplyDeleteB.Since Antigone is afterall a play and not a novel, there is little room for the playwright to make commentary regarding the meanings and messages embedded within the production. Generally these things are left to the audience to interpret based the dialogue between characters or through asides. But in either of these cases the characters alone determine what to make of the events of the script. Thus the Greek chorus is the playwright’s way of making his own commentary where he sees necessary. In addition to this the chorus also serves as the voice inside the characters’ heads. Oftentimes the characters find themselves in an internal conflict. In such circumstances as these the chorus plays the role of one party or one side of a given dilemma. The chorus also serves much more practical role in facilitating the progression of the plot. The chorus introduces characters and settings as well as other information that is integral to the audience’s understanding of the plot.
A. The theme of this play is that hubris is man’s weakness and can ultimately lead to their destruction. The only way to avoid their destruction is through learning from others mistakes and through their wisdom. These words reflect the play because it was Creon’s hubris that led to the destruction of his entire life and Antigone’s hubris which ultimately caused her death. Creon believed that he could go against the gods wishes and not give proper burials for traitors. Creon was even warned by Tiresias, his prophet, that he should consider changing to avoid making even more mistakes, but he thought that he could defy everyone. It was Antigone’s hubris which caused her to sneak in the proper burial for her brother, Polyneices, even though it was against the law. She new that she would be killed for her action, but it was her hubris that gave her the strength and courage to go against law. Through both of their hubris, others can gain wisdom. They can learn not to let their pride overshadow the proper thing to do, and consider everything, even if it is against their own beliefs. The Chorus’ final words, “...those blows will teach us wisdom,” show that it from others mistakes that wisdom can be found. Their words can be applied to humans universally because they are basically saying that humans can not defy fate. If something is meant to happen, then it will happen, and there is not much to be done about it.
ReplyDeleteB. The Chorus contributes a crucial role to the play. They are basically the commentators. The chorus provides more insight into the play than the scene gave. It allows the audience to gain more understanding about what has happened and what will happen. They explain the previous scenes and foreshadow the future. The chorus allows the author to convey his true meaning and message of the play. He can be creative while writing the play and know that through the chorus all will become clear to the audience. The chorus is similar to a narrator.
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ReplyDeleteA) The theme of the play Antigone is summarized in the final words of the play when the word “Wisdom” is used as the first and last word of the passage. This passage is used as a warning to Creon. In the line “wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy,” the chorus is explaining that to feel happiness, one must act on wisdom and truly use their intelligence and mind to the best of their ability. Since Creon did not listen to or follow the rules of the Gods, he is given this passage as a warning. After his act of disobedience, his pride is taken away, and he is told the consequences of his actions. The chorus finally says that “these blows will teach us wisdom,” which means that after Creon suffers his consequences for disobeying the Gods, he will have a new sense of wisdom that he has never had before. Their words can be applied to humans as a whole because wisdom is something that all humans gain with experience. The chorus explains that nothing can substitute experience, so Creon is going to have to live through these consequences to gain the wisdom that he needs to live successfully.
ReplyDeleteB) The chorus contributes a general understanding of the play to the audience. They act as a side voice that kind of explains what is going on at the time. They can be relief from what is happening in the story, and they are commentators on important aspects. The chorus also explains general themes of the play. Without the chorus, the author would not be able to explain the underlying themes in the story. The author would also not be able to explain some background for the play, which is needed in order for the audience to understand what is happening in the play. The chorus is a vital piece of Antigone, and they are not only help to the audience, but to the author as well, so that they can extend the meaning of what is going on.
The theme of the play is that humans are hurt by their pride, but they become wiser from their mistakes. The chorus says that people must show reverence to the gods, and that when people go against the gods they receive punishment, but that punishment makes them wiser. In the play Creon believes that his law and following the laws of one’s country is above the laws of the gods. When he created laws that go against that of the gods Creon is punished and his son and wife die, and the city begins to crumble. However, Creon learns from his mistakes. The words of the chorus can be applied to humans universally because mistakes are bound to happen, but what is imortant is learning from these mistakes and preventing them from happening again. It is said that history repeats itself, so it is important for humans to learn from the wars, disasters, and tragedies that have occurred in the past so that they can never happen again.
ReplyDeleteThe chorus plays an important role in Greek drama because they provide commentary on the plot and characters, background information and pose as a conscience. Their presence allows the playwright to write sagas and have each play tell a continuation of a larger story. The chorus also allows the small cast to play multiple roles, which might not be able to be done without the chorus. The chorus also connects the audience to the plays because they offer an opinion that is either the same or different from the audience, therefore enforcing the intended theme of the play.
A.The entire play is seemingly set up for the final chorus, where the chorus states that happiness can only be achieved with wisdom, and pain and tragedy will happen until wisdom and humility is learned. This is seen from Creon’s fate, when his overstepping pride caused various tragedies, and he gained wisdom after his suffering. His act of disobeying the gods’ rules caused his son and wife to die and his city to undergo a plague. These strikes caused Creon to reform, but this experience shows how wisdom and reverence should always be cherished.
ReplyDeleteB.The chorus acts similarly to the narrator in a novel, in that they announced the arrival and departure of the characters, and that they also offer a source of wisdom and guidance for the characters in the play. Without the chorus, it would be more difficult to achieve the same complexity that plays and movies can with a Greek play’s limited cast.
ReplyDeleteThe final words of the chorus show that we should learn wisdom from the consequences of our hubris. Throughout the play, both Creon and Antigone exhibit hubris by overstepping their boundaries. Antigone defies the laws of the land by burying her brother Polynices despite her uncle’s proclamation that no one should bury him after he betrayed Thebes. However, Creon had defied the law of the gods by refusing all those who fought against Thebes, including Polynices, their burial rights. Creon and Antigone were both punished by the gods as a result of their actions, and it led to both of their deaths. However, through the consequences they faced, they realised their wrongdoings. When Creon sees that his proclamation caused the deaths of all his family members, he acknowledges he never should have done it, or at the very least should have revoked the proclamation when he had the chance. As humans, we all make mistakes and so this play is relevant to all of us. It shows that while we make mistakes, we should not let them dictate the rest of our lives, but rather we should accept the consequences and learn from them.
The chorus allows one to visualise what is happening by describing the events and giving some history of the characters. Sophocles uses the chorus to help the audience understand what is happening. Due to the small number of actors and the lack of movement on the stage, the chorus is responsible for describing the comings and goings of characters. Sophocles portrays the chorus as different characters, using them as a voice of reason, expressing different opinions. Overall the playwright uses the chorus to get his message across to the audience.
2. The fall of Antigone and Creon due to their hubris is emphasized in the last lines of the play as a warning. The hubris of the two characters ultimately lead to their demise as they refused to acknowledge the possible consequences. Creon, the new leader of Thebes, refuses to honor the dead brother who tried to take over the city. Even though he is a family member, Creon refuses to follow the rituals to respect the dead. His actions and refusal to honor tradition resulted in the city of Thebes being in ruins. On the other hand, Antigone had excessive pride due to her belief that she should follow her role as a woman and sister. Although her brother attempted to overthrow the city, she still wanted to bring him safely into the “underworld” and bury him just how tradition calls for. However, her stubbornness to respect the dead blinded her from the real world consequences that she would face, such as death. Thus, their excessive pride lead to many deaths and shows how pride is only one’s enemy.
ReplyDeleteB. The chorus is utilized to explain what is occurring in scene and also provide background information to help understand the play. The chorus also delves into the emotions and minds of the characters. It allows the author to have more room to openly explain what is going on and describe how the characters are feeling.
A. In short, the theme of the play focuses on human nature, and its affliction, which includes arrogance and pride, while championing wisdom and careful judgement. The first line, “Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy…” praises wisdom and a noble and virtuous human characteristic. Clearly, in the play, Creon lacked wisdom as King, and ruled as a tyrant, causing offense to the gods, through his rule. However, more importantly, the final words of the chorus emphasize the idea of hubris and the fatal nature of excessive pride and arrogance. In the case of the play, the King, Creon, saw himself as paramount over the existing laws of the Gods. Creon ruled that his fallen nephew, Polyneices would not be given proper burial rites, whereas the existing laws of the Gods ruled that all must be given burial rites. Creon went to extremes, in defending his word against that of gods, and eventually executed Izmene and punished Antigone. However, in contradiction with the Gods, Creon faced judgement and punishment, ultimately having to lose his own son as he defied the laws of the Gods. As the chorus professes, “the mighty words of the proud are paid in full.” Therefore, part of the central theme of the play, is that pride becomes a tragic flaw. In connection to wisdom, the chorus additionally makes it known, that we can learn wisdom from these situations.
ReplyDeleteB. As there were only three active actors in Greek plays, the chorus was used as a way to convey the plot of the play along with changes in scenes or the departures and arrivals of different characters on to the stage. The actors themselves would switch masks after indicated by the chorus. In Antigone, the chorus would tell the audience the background and the setting of the play, along with its major characters and developments. In several instances, they would announce the entrance of characters. In turn, the chorus allows the playwright to convey a message or theme of the play that otherwise would not come across with simply the actors. In my opinion, the chorus in Antigone, played a critical role as well, watching every character and development of the play. They chronicled the rise and fall of Creon, and even prayed to the Gods when the city was in turmoil due to Creon’s hubris.
A. The theme of the play that is summarized by the final words of the chorus is that hubris is the downfall of all men, where fate is destined to bring them down, and only then will man become wise. This is a prevalent theme because it seeks to resolve the problems of the characters, while summarizing the moral of the play. These final words also sum up all of the important events in the play that dealt with Creon and his hubris, his downfall, and his wisdom. Creon’s defiance towards the Gods their laws was paid in full by the deaths of everyone around him. Everyone he loved had died, and it was not until then that he realized what he had done was wrong. This is also true of humans in many instances. Humans should never be too proud of something that defies another higher power, whether it be a law or a God. There is always punishment in the world and too much pride can lead to any man’s downfall.
ReplyDeleteB. The chorus contributes meaningful, necessary commentary to the play, that would otherwise not be available to the audience. They are similar to a narrator in the sense that they know what is going on at all times and can give background information, as well as possible foreshadowing. However, they are unlike a narrator because they may be either or more or less impartial than a narrator usually is. Furthermore, they allow the playwright to give the audience information that may only be implied or actually necessary for the correct understanding of the play. Without the chorus, the audience would have a difficult time understanding each important event of the play, and their implications.
A. In the final words of the chorus, the theme of hubris comes through as they summarize the effects of excessive pride and defiance towards the Greek gods in the events of the play. The chorus indicates that one’s hubris leads to fatal tragedy and often plays a significant role in the downfall of one’s life as pride deteriorates themselves and the people around them. The chorus discusses deep respect towards the gods being safeguarded in reference to Antigone as she had enough pride to disobey the law of the gods and attempt to bury her brother Polynices even though he died in battle against the state. However, the chorus goes on to discuss Creon whose words were paid in ful and accepted the mighty blows of fate as he accepted the blame for the deaths of his son and wife and thus wished to no longer exist. Fortunately, the chorus ends on a lighter note and state how wisdom can be learned and is the greatest part of joy. This concept applies to universal human nature as the chorus indicates we must accept the consequences for our actions whether good or bad, but we are able to learn from our mistakes and pitfalls which therefore contributes to a wiser, more satisfying life which brings joy. This lesson is the essential root to the common phrase of ‘history does not repeat itself’ as people can benefit from their mistakes and live with the knowledge as to how they could attempt to avoid them.
ReplyDeleteB. While the chorus may seem like an unnecessary aspect of the play, they actually provide important sentiments, references, plot developments, lessons, and more, which the characters would not have been able to bring forth as efficiently. The lines of the chorus present the audience with what is really happening internally for the characters and what struggles they face with their flaws. For example, the chorus indicates the fate of what will happen with Antigone and Creon as they both have to come to terms with their hubris. The chorus also helps to develop the plot and state what will become of the characters in the play. Then, towards the end the Chorus ends on a happier note and gives the audience a lesson regarding wisdom and learning from one’s mistakes. Their presence allows the playwright to construct their play in a way that is different from the standard plot and character development, but can also voice their opinions in subtle ways. In Antigone, Sophocles criticized women and the government through the words of the chorus.
A) A huge theme of Antigone is wisdom, whether that may have been applied in the actual story or what Creon learns at the end of the story. The last statements made by the chorus read “Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy,...The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate...those blows will teach us wisdom,” (128, Sophocles). What this statement is basically portraying from the story is that wisdom is a gift that the people like Tiresias and Haemon possessed and tried to give to Creon so he would be making the right choice in serving the Gods, which couldn’t be implemented because of Creon’s proudness and stubbornness. Because of his proudness in persecuting Antigone, trying to protect his kingdom of Thebes, his son was also targeted for Creon disobeying the gods and before the King could fix the problems he created, Antigone, Haemon, and Eurydice were all dead. This “mighty blow of fate” with the death of his family and Antigone was supposed to be a method of teaching Creon that he shouldn’t have let his proudness decide his decisions because he ultimately caused others and himself a great deal of pain. Universally, wisdom is inevitably taught through experiences and/or mistakes we make.
ReplyDeleteB) The Greek chorus is strategically used to give insight on a few things: social critique, insight to the feelings and thoughts of characters, and conveying themes of the story. In regards to social critique, Sophocles makes a lot of statements in regards to women and what their roles were in the time period, like having to bury the dead and respecting male authority figures. The greek chorus then uses a philosophical tone to demonstrate how this happens. In the part where the Greek chorus talks about love, that gives direct insight into how Haemon feels about and views the situation when he tries to get his father to not kill Antigone. Overall, they give general comments about the story.
The final words of the chorus summarize the outcome of the character’s use of hubris, which is their ultimate downfall. Both Creon and Antigone suffer the consequences outlined by the chorus where they pay with their fates. Because Creon is too stubborn to let Antigone bury her brother and because he goes against the laws of the gods, he suffers by witnessing his son and wife die. Both Haemon and Eurydice commit suicide because of the way their lives are turning out. Creon suffers the most because his selfishness offended the gods and they wanted him to suffer. The chorus tells the reader that “Mighty blows of fate… will teach us wisdom.” Through Creon’s “blows of fate” he recognizes that no one is above the gods and that he should respect their wishes and laws at all times to avoid their wrath. Antigone, on the other hand, prematurely kills herself because she does not think she will ever be rescued from the tomb. She obeys the word of the gods but disobeys Creon’s laws. Her death symbolizes the unnecessary death of innocence for Creon. Creon takes credit for her death because if he followed the gods, she would still be alive, and so would Haemon and Eurydice. The advice and warning of the chorus can be extended to humans universally. It tells people not to act selfishly or act out just because something might damage your ego.
ReplyDeleteThe chorus acts as a narrator-like character who knows everything that’s happening. The chorus allows insight into the characters and helps set the mood and setting. The chorus is also responsible for foreshadowing the potential outcomes of the main characters. The voice of reason is also a major contribution of the chorus while they can speak to each character and give them advice and warnings when they need it. Societal problems are outlined by what the chorus alludes to every time they speak. This “character” allows the playwright to talk directly to the audience in order to specify characters, themes, and alterations in plot.
A.) The final words of the chorus convey the idea that both Antigone and Creon lost to the ultimate enemy: themselves. Creon defies the power of the God’s by mistakenly believing that his power and protection of Thebes was more important. His hubris was his inability to swallow his pride and admit that what he believed was right -refusing a burial for Polynices after he betrayed Thebes- was not to be put above the will of the gods. Had he realized this sooner, he would not have had to endure lifelong shame and grief. Antigone made a mistake as a result of her Hubris as well. She so strongly believed that burying Polynices was the right things to do that she lost her life in the process. She ultimately ends up committing suicide because she does not believe that she should be punished. However, unbeknownst to her, Creon had already decided that he would not punish her. The chorus summarizes the overlying theme that some moments require a person to suppress their extremist beliefs for the sake of living and learning. In terms of humans in general, the chorus’ words urge us to pick and choose what is worth risking it all and what isn’t. Throughout life there are moments when we need to recognize when our pride is blinding us to reality.
ReplyDeleteB.) The chorus is a vital part of the storyline because it provides insight that would not otherwise be available to the reader. It allows the reader to understand the inner workings of the characters minds and when they make choices that will result in their downfall. Without the chorus, the playwright would have no other choice than to explicitly state some of the important messages that the chorus seamlessly integrates into the storyline. Without it the play would be missing major insight.
A. The final words of the chorus are a repetition of the only theme common to the whole play: hubris. This story follows the tradition that the Thebian Royal family has of believing themselves above fault, and thus allows for consequential failures. Indeed the Chorus specifically says that:
ReplyDelete“Man’s highest blessedness
In wisdom chiefly stands;
And in the things that touch upon the Gods,
’Tis best in word of deed
To shun unholy pride;
Great words of boasting bring great punishments;
And so to gray-haired age
Comes wisdom at the last.”
As in the great Grecian tradition, what is above men is best left to the gods, so it is with Creon and his ridiculous quest to assert dominance and triumph over what is left of his shambled family. More specifically this quote tries to explain that it took time for Creon to understand that what he had done was wrong and above him; thus becoming relevant to the events in the book. And yet, the words are so general that this can also be applied to humanity in a more universal manner making this last line of the chorus a very good moral for a tragedy.
B. Throughout the course of the play the audience is limited in scope to what the actors can say, historically speaking there were no scene changes, no large casts and thus the Chorus’ job was to inform the audience of all the visual cues theater later came up with. This gives the playwright the freedom to do whatever he chooses with the play without worrying about costs or difficulty of representing his imagination visually.
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ReplyDeleteA. At the end of the play the theme of it all is summarized by the final words of the chorus. The theme of the story was that hubris can ruin a man. Excessive pride and overconfidence can cause a man to have poor judgement and be too stubborn to admit to when he is wrong. This is relevant to the play because Creon’s hubris led him to his ultimate downfall. Since he could not recognize the mistake he had made by ordering the death of Antigone for burying her brother when he had forbidden this, this led to the death of his son and wife. In the very last line of the play the chorus states, “"The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long last those blows will teach us wisdom" (128). These words can be applied to humans universally because people make poor decisions and judgements all the time. It is once we make those mistakes that we learn the lessons and gain the wisdom to not be so full of ourselves and accept when we are wrong.
ReplyDeleteB. What does the chorus contribute to a viewing/ reading of the play? What does their presence allow the playwright to do that he might not otherwise be able to do?
The chorus is there to comment on the action of the play, give back story when needed, and make connections to the play. The chorus also clarifies and explains the major central themes of the play and is overall there to make the story more clear for the reader. The chorus is like a nice relief to summarize what is going on at that point in the story.