Why Was Athenian Tradedy An Education For Freedom

The idea of freedom arose in Greece because of the great challenge posed by the Persians in their attempt to conquer the Greek world. In Athens, this threat solidified the concept of political liberty and later the idea of individual freedom. One of the two key reasons that the Greeks were able to defeat the mighty Persians is that they were a free people fighting against the slaves of a despot. In the 5th Century B.C. there was a difference between freedom and liberty. Freedom suggested the idea of individual freedom while liberty encompassed the concept of political liberty. However, we now use them synonymously. Political liberty at its simplest is government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is the notion of people governing themselves using laws with which they create. National liberty for Athenians meant the freedom from foreign control. Athenians believed in freedom of equality, meaning that all citizens are equal under the law. Individual liberty is the freedom to live as one chooses, as long as it does not violate the freedom of another. Athenians had certain individual rights, such as freedom of speech, th

Aristotle, the most profound mind of the Greek world, defined tragedy in Poetics. First, he claimed, tragedy is the imitation of an action that is noble and complete. Tragedy, he continued, must be performed, not narrated. Next, he asserted that tragedy must be performed in beautiful language with exquisite music. He maintained that a tragedy must be a performance that arouses the feelings of fear and pity in the audience, and thereby achieves a catharsis, a purging of the emotions. Aristotle stated that tragedy must happen to the great. It must tell a story in one single day and must be complete, because no one is happy until the end is known. He concluded by declaring that tragedy is about actions, not character; meaning that a tragic hero may have good intentions, but just misses the mark. The consequences of tragedy not only destroy the hero, but innocents as well. Tragedies concerned distant, mythological times, not historical events (except for the Persians).

In reading these three tragedies, I agree with many of the main themes and the views that they portray to good and just. In Antigone, I believe, as Antigone does, that there should be no dichotomy between public and private morality. Our political leaders should face the same consequences for immoral actions as any other citizen. I also believe in absolute morality. There are deeds and actions that are true and just any where at any time. Sophocles’ point that wisdom is only gained through suffering is valid. One can only gain true knowledge through suffering—for affliction is the only thing that allows it. I also believe in the central message of Oedipus at Colonus that salvation comes through wisdom. I am a Christian and believe that absolute wisdom is believing in God and a kingdom of heaven. Therefore, without absolute wisdom, one cannot receive salvation. There are also points on which I disagree with Sophocles. First, in Oedipus the King, I believe that there is nothing on this earth that man is not meant to know. If God did not want us to something, then he would not let us. In talking about this, I mean earthly things. Heaven is a concept that God does not want us to fully understand. We cannot even imagine what everlasting life in heaven is like. I believe that the search for truth can never be wrong—even if it ends with something as horrible as Oedipus’s adventure. I believe that Sophocles contradicts himself between Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus in that while Oedipus’s actions in King are tragic, it is exactly this suffering that allows him to become truly wise and gain salvation. Had Oedipus not sought the truth, he never would have gained wisdom. I also believe that there is no free will. I believe in determinism, which states that everything we do is the result of every other moment and event in our lives. We constantly learn from experience and use it to make decisions—even if we do not realize it. By this, I do not necessarily believe that God determines everything. In Antigone, I disagree with the idea that religion is essential to morality. I believe it possible to be a totally moral person without having any religious beliefs at all. Antigone’s view on this causes a problem because of the many different religions around the world. Is there one right religion; that its followers alone can be moral? I think not. While I disagree with several of Sophocles’ points, I believe that in his world, all his points were totally valid.

e right to trial by jury, freedom of expression, and the right to bear arms. They did not, however, have freedom of religion—to be an Athenian meant to worship the Gods that protected the state. It was a duty of citizens (males over the age of twenty) to serve in the citizen army. One could not be a citizen without military service, which is the main reason th

Some topics in this essay:
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