The Prince and Antigone Comparison
I choose you...partly because I knew you as always loyal to the throne. In comparing Machiavelli's The Prince and Sophocles' Antigone it is quite evident that theatrics are used throughout both texts as the prominent form of argument. In order for something to be categorized as theatrical, according to its definition, it should be marked by exaggerated self-display and unnatural behavior; affectedly dramatic. In more than a few examples of quotes made by the main characters in each story, theatrics as a form of argument can be pointed out. Beginning with the story of Antigone, the reader is introduced to two main characters, Antigone and Creon, who will face each other in an argument over the morality of proper burial. Although Creon, ruler of the city, forbids the burial of Antigone's heathen brother, Antigone insists on giving him a traditional burial. Amongst the two characters is a chorus, who listens attentively to Antigone and Creon heatedly debate this issue. Because both characters firmly believe that their argument is valid and sound, they both attempt to influence a third party, the Chorus, to take their stance in the matter. Within a few lines of Creon's introduction, theatrics as a form of argument and persuasi
In response to Creon's question about Antigone daring to disobey the law, Antigone states, "How such as I, that live among such troubles, not find a profit in death? So for such as me, to face such a fate as this is pain that does not count. She does not know how to yield to trouble. But if I dared to leave the dead man, my mother's son, dead and unburied, that would have been real pain. " Although this attempt was not successful, for fear was too prevalent, it was a fair jab. This man made the province rather peaceful, but when the duke realized that Remirro's unwarranted power could potentially develop into intolerable behavior, he chopped him in half and left the two pieces with a block of wood and a bloody knife beside it. " This was a good move on her part to establish a strong ethos for the Chorus, as did Creon in the beginning. In The Prince it was noted that most of Machiavelli's basic principles contained in this instructor's manual for new rulers involved some sort of theatrical performance on the part of the ruler. He states to the Chorus, " For yourselves, I chose you out of all and summoned you to come to me, partly because I knew you as always loyal to the throne. It is almost humorous to note the attempt made by Creon to fortify his "just reasoning" for improper burial of Antigone's brother. " The humor is present because Creon states his disgust with the very thing that he is doing. Theatrical performance was also noted in Antigone's presentation of her argument. " After both characters had established their ethos, Creon as controller and Antigone as troubled, they continued to use this theatrical performance throughout their arguments. Lastly, Antigone makes another theatrical move to summon the Chorus to speak on her behalf. She was successful in using her family tragedies and sorrow to gain the sympathy of the Chorus. This was shown when the Chorus immediately responded with, "The savage spirit of a savage father shows itself in this girl.
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