Sophocles' Antigone: Situational Irony in Scene Three
Timed Write Rewrite
Prompt 3: What is the most important word, sentence or quote from this text and why?
In an argument between King Creon and his son Haimon, the author reveals that with power, pride and refusal of corrections start to develop. In the Greek play Antigone, Sophocles creates a story about an arrogant, power-hungry king. In doing so, he reveals the consequences of being a dictator, rather than being a noble ruler —an issue that can be found in many countries since many governments today abuse their power. Through the use of symbolism and motifs, Sophocles created a world that is clutched in the hands of a tyrant; he shows how a man who is satisfied by power becomes the one clutched by him.
The situational irony in scene three truly emphasizes Creon’s issues as a king. In this particular scene, Creon and his only son Haimon, argue about Antigone’s punishment for defying his decree. Haimon points out how his father refuses to accept correction. “I beg you, do not be unchangeable; Do not believe that you alone can be right (Scene 3).” This quote is powerful and more vulnerable than the others because it is between a father and his son. This stressed the idea that not even his family is by his side to substantiate his rule. His own son advocates how he is legitimately “unchangeable (Scene 3).” This is considered situational irony because the son is correcting the father, when it should be vice versa. Moreover, Creon craving for power also influences him to oppose the gods. “You have no right to trample on God’s right (Scene 3).” This quote accentuates the motif of lust for power. Haimon believes that his father rules as if he was one of the gods. Creon controlled every aspect of the people’s lives of Thebes. His laws are viewed upon as unreasonable and as an act of tyranny. This can also be considered situational irony because the people gave him his power; yet, he became an abominable king who makes decision as if he was one of the gods.
Prompt 3: What is the most important word, sentence or quote from this text and why?
In an argument between King Creon and his son Haimon, the author reveals that with power, pride and refusal of corrections start to develop. In the Greek play Antigone, Sophocles creates a story about an arrogant, power-hungry king. In doing so, he reveals the consequences of being a dictator, rather than being a noble ruler —an issue that can be found in many countries since many governments today abuse their power. Through the use of symbolism and motifs, Sophocles created a world that is clutched in the hands of a tyrant; he shows how a man who is satisfied by power becomes the one clutched by him.
The situational irony in scene three truly emphasizes Creon’s issues as a king. In this particular scene, Creon and his only son Haimon, argue about Antigone’s punishment for defying his decree. Haimon points out how his father refuses to accept correction. “I beg you, do not be unchangeable; Do not believe that you alone can be right (Scene 3).” This quote is powerful and more vulnerable than the others because it is between a father and his son. This stressed the idea that not even his family is by his side to substantiate his rule. His own son advocates how he is legitimately “unchangeable (Scene 3).” This is considered situational irony because the son is correcting the father, when it should be vice versa. Moreover, Creon craving for power also influences him to oppose the gods. “You have no right to trample on God’s right (Scene 3).” This quote accentuates the motif of lust for power. Haimon believes that his father rules as if he was one of the gods. Creon controlled every aspect of the people’s lives of Thebes. His laws are viewed upon as unreasonable and as an act of tyranny. This can also be considered situational irony because the people gave him his power; yet, he became an abominable king who makes decision as if he was one of the gods.