... he won a dramatic competition against a guy who was undefeated. He won first prize in these competitions over 20 times and many second prizes. Sophocles composed more than 100 plays, of which seven complete tragedies and fragments of 80 or 90 others preserved. All of the tragedies, including Oedipus ... Rex are considered outstanding for their powerful, intricate plots and dramatic style. Many scholars consider Sophocles the greatest of the Greek tragedians. Two important innovations he was noted for was increasing the number of actors from two to three, thus ... them part of a central m...

• Word Count: 578
• Approx Pages: 2

The play "Antigone" by Sophocles, is unquestionably a tragedy, however the question remains: whose tragedy is it? In essence, is it a tragedy for one or two characters in the play or is it rather a tragedy for ... ...

• Word Count: 964
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... that he "is not blind [he] can see everything clearly." This is ironic because at the conclusion of the play Oedipus blinds himself. Sophocles did a remarkable job of using numerous engaging examples of irony in Oedipus the King. Sophocles evolves one of the most tragic characters in all of mythological literature using a combination of intelligence and creativity. From the time he was ... for having committed the terrible acts of incest and murder. In reaction to his despicable behavior the abashed Oedipus says "Kill me, I"ll be obedient to the death they planned." Sophocles uses these...

• Word Count: 520
• Approx Pages: 2

... "Go, quibble with thy reason. If thou fail'st to find these malefactors, thou shalt own the wages of ill-gotten gains is death."(Sophocles, 313-327). This quote further exemplifies Creon's corruption, as he threatens a soldier with death. This reveals the great amount of change Creon has undergone ... all men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride." (Sophocles, pg 31) Creon has several opportunities to right his wrongs by releasing Antigone and forgetting the entire ordeal, especially when it is the more logica...

• Word Count: 951
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and polymath, defines and distinguishes in the "Poetics" what he believes are the most important components and criteria of a model tragedy. Sophocles is one of the ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have managed to survive until today. His drama, Oedipus the King – also known as Oedipus Rex, fits all Aristotle's requirements ... ). In this quote, Aristotle suggests tragedy should raise pity and fear in the audience. The events in the play must be serious in all contexts, socially, morally, and psychologically. In Sophocles's play, through a series of events...

• Word Count: 1214
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

... together to form one of the most perfect examples of a Greek tragedy. These main themes also prove to be present in other Greek works yet, they were presented best by Sophocles in Oedipus Rex. The first prominent theme was the theme of the triumph of Fate or the Gods over free will. Fate, the presence of the Gods, and the idea ... he would not harm them. Despite these choices made with free will, fate prevailed. Oedipus did end up killing his father and marrying his mother, both unknowingly. The Greeks, including Sophocles, believed that Fate always triumphed in the end. They thought th...

• Word Count: 846
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... the plot. Antigone is a tragedy that uses many different literary devices in order to emphasize its tragic qualities such as symbolism, foreshadowing, and imagery. Sophocles creates the tragic hero, Creon, by using several different techniques. The literary devices of symbolism, foreshadowing and imagery demonstrate how the authority of the ... with the use of repetitive dialogue which allows the reader to better observe how man can destroy his own life by disobeying the gods. Through symbolism, Sophocles uncovers the helplessness of a man's control over his own life and its results and ...

• Word Count: 1004
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... " as a Reflection of Greek Tragedy and Greek Theatre "Oedipus Rex" is an awesome, tremendous and unique creation of Sophocles of Ancient Greece, which is still one of the most valuable tragedies of both modern and ancient times. The sixth to ... in the society that caused the developing of Greek Theatre and, later, Greek tragedy-the main entertainments of Greeks. "Oedipus Rex" was written by Sophocles soon after 430 B.C. (Sophocles, V), which reflects both Greek Tragedy and Greek Theatre in several ways. "Oedipus Rex" tragically and ironically shows the sufferings of the main character ....

• Word Count: 872
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Poetics, Aristotle explains that there are certain qualities that a tragic hero has that can qualify him or her as tragically heroic. Two Grecian literary legends, Achilles from Homer's Iliad and Sophocles's Oedipus Rex, fit the description of an Aristotelian tragic hero. Achilles, from Homer's The Iliad, is a tragic hero. Achilles's quick rage coincides with a key characteristic of a tragic hero. ... the god Hephaestus to protect him in battle against Hector, leader of the Trojans. Achilles temper and highborn status qualify him as an Aristotelian tragic hero. The titular character fr...

• Word Count: 915
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... lead to the suffering of himself and the citizens of Thebes and lead us to decide for ourselves: does suffering build you up or wear you down? Sophocles disagrees with this statement because if he were to agree with it, I believe he would not have made the ending so tragic. It is clear to ... Oedipus wherever he went did not make him any stronger. It wore him down. As Teiresias states, "You are the cursed and polluter of this land " (Sophocles 35). By this quote, Oedipus's subconscious is now making Oedipus doubt his every thought and more, which would put a heavy burden on his mind. He...

• Word Count: 573
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... a classical Greek tragedy. The play was produced in 406 B.C, and was written in the fifth century B.C. The author, Sophocles, first achieved recognition in the theater at the age of twenty-eight. He grow up in a well-to-do family in Athens, ... how human fortunes can suffer unexpected drastic reversals, how even good and noble people can suffer at the hands of fate or the will of the gods. Sophocles turns the chorus, simply serving as a nameless onlooker and commentator in other Greek tragedies, into a collective "actor" within the drama itself. The dramatic ... king Laius might who kn...

• Word Count: 703
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... down to the grave in peace." (77) The last lines in the Exedos presented here from Oedipus the King, which was written by the tragedian Sophocles, explicitly reveals the theme to be learned from this tragedy. Sophocles taught that the way to human happiness was through reverence and humiliation; he reminds the audience that the aim of man's existence is to achieve ... was determined before he was born, but he tried to control it by placing himself with the Gods; he disobeyed the laws that the God's presented, thus Oedipus" tragic destiny. Sophocles divulges that reverence and humiliatio...

• Word Count: 823
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Antigone is a very tragic story written by a Greek author named Sophocles involving many deaths because of one man, Creon. Creon was lead to his downfall because of his own actions and arrogance making him the tragic hero in story of Antigone ... to have no burial This is my command and you can see the wisdom behind it. As I am King, no traitor is going to be honored with the loyal man"(Sophocles 675). Secondly, Creon is the tragic hero of Antigone because he has a tragic flaw. Creon's tragic flaw is his pride. His pride leads him to do arrogant things. ... Teiresias to help explain his trag...

• Word Count: 527
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Greek plays were written to tell a moral dilemma. Sophocles' piece, Oedipus the King, told his audience about an incredibly vital lesson they need to learn. The most important feature in their life is the Gods. The Gods ... was responsible for the people's destiny, more than choice. As the audience witnesses the play, it is obvious that this issue is debated throughout the course of this Greek tragedy. Sophocles sets up by telling the story of how Oedipus' fate was decided at birth. In the play, Oedipus' life was to be a catastrophe, based on the murdering of his ... to be killed. This obviou...

• Word Count: 562
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Many Greek tragedies include a central character who is a tragic hero. The hero strives for perfection, but the gods punish him. Oedipus, the main character of Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex, is a tragic hero. Sophocles' characterization of Oedipus suggests that he is a tragic hero according to Aristotle's conception as enunciated in The Poetics. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero has a supreme pride, a reflection of condescension and ... of that? But I came by, Oedipus the simple man, who knows nothing- I thought it out for myself, no birds helped me!" Sophocles characterizes Oedipus as a eg...

• Word Count: 280
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex allows the audience to experience pity and terror by the story of the hero brought low by a power greater than himself. This catharsis brings the viewers a sympathetic ... example, when Oedipus says in the first scene, "I take the sons part, just as though I were his son, to press the fight for him and see it won!" (Sophocles,715), Oedipus is ironically taking the position of a son when we as the audience know he biologically is Laios' son. We realize Oedipus is damning himself when he declares punishment ... to its audience by the use of the irony used throughou...

• Word Count: 1070
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography

In Robert Fagles' translation of the play "Oedipus the King", Sophocles explores many important themes of Greek tragedy such as fate and free will, wisdom and knowledge, determination and power through the effective use of his language, symbols and motifs and ... it is due to this reason that when Oedipus kills himself towards the end of the play, the sympathy that is felt by the readers is drastic. The use of Sophocles' language in this translated version of his play has a very distinct writing style and a powerful tone. Firstly, the tone is tragic, sympathetic, foreboding and ironic. Since...

• Word Count: 511
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... this pride has on the character's life. How could his/her life have been different if he/she had behaved in a less prideful manner? Fate Many of the characters in Sophocles' plays seem to have a desire to break free from the control of the fate the gods have determined for them. Based on what you have read in Antigone, what is ... Sophocles trying to teach his audience about a human's ability to control his/her fate? In doing so, analyze how the characters behave as a result of knowing what their destinies will be. ... the more difficult road to walk. In Antigone, identify the difficu...

• Word Count: 469
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Art defines the advancement of humankind. Art instructs, reveals the truth, and expresses the highest feelings of humankind. Sophocles, the author of "Oedipus Rex," and Aeschylus, the author of "Promethus Bound" and "Agamemnon" were both masters of art, weaving the effects of discord between brash humans and divine entities. ... whom you seek, I say. I say you have forgot that you are joined with those most dear to you in deepest shame and do not see where you are in sin" (Sophocles 362-367). Oedipus is too proud to swallow the prophet's news, declaring, "Shall these unbearable words be hear...

• Word Count: 917
• Approx Pages: 4

... moral lessons taught in each play. Human nature is an especially significant aspect of the Greek drama Antigone, by Sophocles. In this drama, Sophocles uses his main character, Antigone, to display his notion of human nature. There are numerous aspects of human nature, although Sophocles chooses to focus mainly on a few of them. Religion, importance of family, and the role of gender are ... ...

• Word Count: 1243
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone is the tragic hero of the play, rather than Creon. In one way Creon is the main character of the play. He has more stage time than anyone else. ... a martyr, he simply suffered. To suggest that Creon is a tragic hero is to totally misread Antigone, and to totally miss the point of the play. Sophocles named the play after Antigone, which is no small thing. Sophocles wants us to see Antigone as the tragic figure. Creon is not tragic; he is pitiful. There is a difference, Antigone is a sympathetic character whereas Creon ... ...

• Word Count: 885
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The Tragic Hero Sophocles is well known for his great Greek tragedies, which focus in on the lives of a small group of people that ultimately lead to an awful tragic ending that applies to ... a tragedy is referred to as a tragic hero; they must be high ranking, a noble character and of a dignified stature before the tragic events occur. In the plays, Oedipus and Antigone, by Sophocles, the character Creon best portrays a tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. One of the most important attributes of a tragic hero is courageousness and to be high ranking. In times of ... him" (Oedipus 45). The...

• Word Count: 785
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... an unhappy ending. It meant that a noble hero had to run into obstacles. All of mankind is restricted by morality, but no man more so than tragic heroes. According to Sophocles" own words, a tragic hero has meaning beyond his grasp. Oedipus Rex is not only the protagonist of this story, but he is also the tragic hero. He faces obstacles and ... do to stop this prophecy from becoming reality. Eventually, a man found Oedipus and raised him as his own. Oedipus eventually killed his father, Laius, and married his mother, Jocasta. As Sophocles said, "men are helpless so far as their fate is ...

• Word Count: 1207
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

The story of Oedipus Rex has been around for thousands of years even before Sophocles turned it into a greek tragedy. The greek myth is about this king named Oedipus who is born with this fate that he will kill his father and marry and have ... ! Have no dread of them. It is God himself who can show us what he wills in his own way. " (1237-1238) . Towards the end of the play is when Sophocles displays Oedipus' heroism. Oedipus is faced with the work insight of his blindness, his true identity. His fate was true he married his mother, had kids with his father, and ... ...

• Word Count: 1075
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... of probability or necessity." Aristotle indicates that tragedy "shows" rather than "tells." Tragedy arouses the feelings of pity and fear. Aristotle was a great admirer of Sophocles'  'King Oedipus'. He considered it as the perfect tragedy. Plot is the most important feature of tragedy. Aristotle defines plot as "the arrangement of the incidents." Tragedies which ... a sort of moral story to show the futility of human wealth and power. A great German philosopher and critic, Hegel, stresses the importance of 'moral conflict" in tragedy. Hegel thinks that Sophocles' Antigone is a ...

• Word Count: 559
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School