Post by btunis9 on Sept 28, 2011 15:35:06 GMT -5
In scene IV, Sophocles proves that Antigone is not a tragic hero because of her inability to take responsibility for her own hand in her downfall, instead opting to lay blame on others. Although she proves strong and virtuous in her commitment to burying her brother, Polyneices, Antigone is unable to show the strength needed for self-reflection. She is proud of her actions to the point of being blind to her own role in her death. She begs, “Be witness for me, denied all pity, unjustly judged!” (Antigone 226) implying that she is only a victim of unjust circumstances. She goes on to blame her mother and father for the situation she has found herself in, saying, “Unspeakable, horror of son and mother mingling: Their crime, infection of all our family! O Oedipus, father and brother! Your marriage strikes from the grave to murder mine.” (226) Instead of acknowledging the fact that she played a part of her downfall the claims, “The blasphemy of my birth has followed me,” (226) insisting that it was Oedipus’ fault she is going to die.
A moment of anagnorisis does occur in Antigone’s presence, however it is not she who realizes her own role in her downfall. The Choragos asserts, “You have made your choice, Your death is the doing of your own conscious hand,” (227) however Antigone refuses to accept these words. She insists she “[has] not sinned before God...But if the guilt lies upon Creon who judged me, then. I pray, may his punishment equal my own.” (228) In scene IV it is proven that Antigone is not a tragic hero, because she lacks a moment of anagnorisis.
A moment of anagnorisis does occur in Antigone’s presence, however it is not she who realizes her own role in her downfall. The Choragos asserts, “You have made your choice, Your death is the doing of your own conscious hand,” (227) however Antigone refuses to accept these words. She insists she “[has] not sinned before God...But if the guilt lies upon Creon who judged me, then. I pray, may his punishment equal my own.” (228) In scene IV it is proven that Antigone is not a tragic hero, because she lacks a moment of anagnorisis.