... it is the character of Creon who provides the reader with a cathartic release through the development of his humanity throughout the course of the play. He is the figure most akin to the classical Aristotelian definition of the traditional tragic hero. In Aristotle's book, Poetics, the philosopher defines a tragic hero as someone of high status, flawed, afflicted with hamartia (tragic flaw) and hubris (arrogance), ... is punished severely, and in the end gains wisdom. The character of Creon is more emotionally developed, and the breadth of his humanity is greatly accessible ... but giv...

• Word Count: 1647
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... , the king of Thebes and his long lost father. Oedipus then came across the city of Thebes, a city that had been plagued by the horrible creature know as the Sphinx, a monster with the body of a lion, the wings of a bird, and the head of a woman. Oedipus' intelligence became evident to the ... stop the prophecy from coming true. Oedipus was shocked by what Jocasta had said and asked her to send for the servant who served Laios was, as he may have the crucial information that Oedipus is looking for. Suddenly, a messenger from Corinth arrived to bring news of the unfortunate death of the ...

• Word Count: 1488
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... that were used for all other kinds of musical activities, the aulos, a wind instrument with two pipes, percussion and string instruments as the lyre which also coloured musically the poems of epic poets like Homer. It was in 534 B.C. that perhaps the most important ... based on legends or remote history (though given the appearance of truth), were interpreted so as to convey some religious, moral, or political meaning, according with the beliefs of the tragic poet. With the possibility of dialogue between the actor and the chorus, more complex themes ... Creon's son and wife in "Antig...

• Word Count: 1396
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... and the themes are conveyed not only through these features, but also through the role of the chorus and dramatic techniques including irony. Oedipus is seen as a tragic hero in the play, a principal character, in a position of social importance being the King of Thebes. His downfall is the result of incidents beyond ... nature. Laius orders him out of the way at a crossroad, but Oedipus's pride, anger and temperament drives him to kill Laius for what he perceives as an insult. "the leader roughly ordered me out of the way It was the driver that thrust me aside and him I struck" Oedipus ...

• Word Count: 1270
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate