A question about Antigone: Philosophy Forums

A question about Antigone
A question posed in a philosophy seminar last week...

A question about Antigone

bettylisadee
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Posted 10/12/08 - 05:26 AM: Subject: A question about Antigone	#1
... "In Antigone, who is responsible for the tragic end? Anyone?". I am hoping that I posted this in the right forum; i know it is a question, but it is one that is ambiguous, and does not concern itself with facts. Has anybody read or studied this, though? This question is bothering me, as I naturally want to say that Creon is responsible for the tragic end, but I cannot articulate my anser.

Tobias
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Posted 10/13/08 - 12:43 AM:	#2
I don't think anyone is responsible for the tragic end, because it is a tragic situation. It highlighted a paradox in the power of the state. That caused ruin. But yes, it is an ambiguous question and Dunamis and I have been at each other's throat over it. regards Tobi
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sensabile
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Posted 10/13/08 - 10:24 AM:	#3
Does it make sense to talk of responsibility in relation to tragedy? Creon's role in the play is as tragic as the death of Antigone itself; he is a part of the tragedy as much as is Haemon's love for Antigone. Creon is in many senses responsible for the death, but he isn't acting with evil intentions as if he enjoyed tragedy for its own sake--the fact that he doesn't realise his actions are part of a tragedy is what makes his actions tragic! There is more to a tragedy than an event.
For the winner there was a big three-legged cauldron to stand over a fire - it was worth a dozen oxen by the Greek's reckoning - and for the loser he brought forward a woman thoroughly trained in domestic work whom they valued at four oxen. -Homer's The Illiad Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? -Mark 9:50

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Posted 10/13/08 - 05:38 PM:	#4
Aristotle suggests that the central element of tragedy is the reversal of fortune that was triggered by a mistake (Hamartia) as opposed to a character flaw (which is a common theme in more modern tragedy... Hamlet's indescision for example). What makes greek tragedy truly tragic is that the sad unfolding of events is really no ones fault (at least according to Aristotle, and I agree).
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Posted 11/06/08 - 06:13 AM:	#5
Greeks had a strong belief in FATE. It is safe to say that Gods wanted it that way. God's said that Edipus' family is cursed and that they should dissapear form the face of the earth, they are monsters, born in the mariagge of Edipus and his mother. Two brothers who killed one anopther in the battle, and their sister - Antigone. She's the product of the incestuous relationship. Morally(in the greek sense) - she's the monster. She is not the one who is right and Creon who is wrong. The tragic is that you can't decide who is right. But the fact is that Gods decided that Edipus family should be destroyed. It's the FATE.
And now, what will become of us, without the barbarians? Those people were some kind of solution. Constantine P. Cavafis

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