Oedipus vs Antigone
When reading both Oedipus The King and Antigone by Sophocles, it is almost impossible not to immediately compare and contrast the leading characters, Oedipus and Antigone. The two stories provide ample opportunity for the mind to begin making comparisons of the characters' ignorance to reality, selfish pride, and self-inflicted demise. The stories also allow the distinct differences of the two to reveal themselves also. Both characters are loved by their people, but Oedipus' legacy seems to be due to the unnatural family relationships he is involved in. Near the end of the tragedy, Oedipus' name becomes so vain that the Leader of the Chorus is distraught at the very mention of it crying, "You, you're that man?" (Sophocles ). Antigone, on the other hand, longs for the glory that she will receive when dying for her brother. Antigone is more of a threat to Creon, already knowing her fate and thinking she had nothing to lose by standing up to him. These characters ultimately bring about their own demise, Antigone dying a marauder to her brother and Oedipus being exiled after poking out his eyes. Oedipus and Antigone really allow the reader to see the world from their blinded view during these two stories. For exampl . . .
Antigone and Oedipus also possessed fierce pride, which kept them from believing this truth. He then asked to be banned from Thebes, and Creon was more than happy to do so. Oedipus states in the second strophe, "Apollo, friend, Apollo, he it was that brought these ills to pass; But the right hand that dealt the blow Was mine, none other. In Oedipus' case, his pride was what kept him from thinking he could have been the son of Laius. Leading an altruistic lifestyle could not only be more notable, but most likely yield a better result. But, now my sire and mother both are dead, No second brother can be born for me. Antigone also brought about her own demise, though with more knowledge of the end result than Oedipus could have wished for. This ignorance to reality is demonstrated throughout the text of Oedipus the King. The characters of Oedipus seemed to have more alike than not, and rightfully speaking, being that Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus. She maintains her dignity to her death, hanging herself instead of letting Creon's starvation sentence bring her down. Antigone was aware of the circumstances surrounding her situation, and decided that she would suffer from any consequence in achieving her goal. Who could behold his greatness without envy? Now what a black sea of terror has overwhelmed him. Antigone also displayed this ignorance, refusing to let Creon's edict deny her brother the burial he deserved. How, How could I longer see when sight brought no delight?" (Sophocles ).
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