Motifs In Sophocles Tragedies

What are motifs? Motifs are recurring patterns that help to develop the overall meaning and theme of the text. In classical mythology, which typically refers to Greek and Roman mythology/literature, motifs are significantly prevailing and can be analyzed. Greek and Roman myths are often written as an opposition of current reality. Similarly, this means there are major exaggerations on the basis of creating a good story. Many of the pertaining issues try to stimulate such a strong and emotional response. These responses are so deeply rooted in our culture that the story becomes “real.” Common issues like murder, incest, rape, suicide, etc. all flood mythology. Scholars try to analyze and interpret each meaning, but modern cultural bias has taught us otherwise. For example, when Medea kills her own children, society has taught us to react with disgust and to shy away from her character. However, without cultural
The three suicides in Antigone: Antigone, Haemon, and Eurdice, were all from a different source and all from different reasons. Antigone, however, was the most confusing cause. There wasn’t any specific detail, but the case of depression can be made. The other two were from shame, grief, and anger. All the suicides are more than just random acts of violence in the plays/stories. They are recurring structures that help to exaggerate the motivations behind the “tragedies” that occur within the plot. They allow for the reader to understand the plot setting and the social order of ancient life. When one feels grief from a lost son and that is the only son, their lineage is done and therefore the exaggerating effect is suicide. Since life doesn’t matter, the easiest answer is suicide. Ultimately, there will always be distinct patterns in which if one death occurs, others follow. Usually within those deaths, suicide becomes the embellishment to the