... and democratic statesman. He decrees, "...nor could I ever make that man a friend of mine who menaces our country. Remember this: our country is our safety. Only when she voyages true on course can we establish friendships, truer than blood itself." (Antigone, ll. 209-213) As the plot develops, however, it becomes clear that for Creon the welfare of the ... to avoid the consequences of his stubborn decision-making. Antigone on the contrary never gives an inch in yielding to her opposition and goes to her death with her beliefs, true to her insistence on the right of Polynices body to a p...

• Word Count: 849
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... a ruler, and lose the respect of his people. It may seem that Creon must follow his decree "despite the drawbacks "in order to retain the loyalty of his people, but this is not true. Albeit a strong leader should not contradict his own rules, the case of Antigone calls for special circumstances. Creon did not create an order that was in ... the best interest of his populace. By refusing the burial of Polyneices' body, Creon touches on family traditions and loyalty that are held in high esteem by the people ... ...

• Word Count: 1142
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography

... early events in Medea's and Jason's relationship clearly forshadow the situation that unfolds in Euripides" play. Jason's actions in marrying Creon's daughter are noble enough if his reasoning is indeed true, but unravel in a Greek tragedy filled with passionate revenge. He does not consider his marriage to Creon's daughter a sinful strike at his relationship with Medea, and yet Medea feels it ... must be treated as such. It is clear that Medea believes that her bond to Jason is not only lawful but emotional, and while Jason too feels that he has a loyalty to Medea, he does not see thei...

• Word Count: 681
• Approx Pages: 3

... ; Jason and Medea's original tryst, for example, required that she kill her own brother. While it can be argued the children's deaths are fated from the beginning, it nevertheless remains true that such a fate represents the triumph of perverse forces within human behavior. To reach the point of infanticide, Medea's basic human nature has to be transformed, ushering in conflict of ... a life would probably provide the most happiness out of the possible alternatives Medea contemplates, yet her decision-making process has left behind debating over personal profit and loss. Her only loyalty...

• Word Count: 324
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... blood," (Sophocles, 88) Oedipus the decided and executed these actions. What a fate for Oedipus who ruled greatly for the city of Thebes? Since Oedipus ruled greatly and experienced trust and loyalty from the Thebans it is easy to feel sorrow and sympathy for Oedipus at the plays end. This created the hostility toward the gods. The gods are not to blame ... oracles or fates. As for justice, the gods are justice. Readers will notice that Oedipus was not wise to the fact that his actions helped bring the prophecy from Apollo true. This blindness helps turn the readers against the gods. Ho...

• Word Count: 1136
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School