Aphrodite, as the goddess of love, is a notable example. The last line of the “Ode to Love” references Antigone’s call to Aphrodite, “A girl’s glance working the will of heaven: pleasure to her alone who mock us, merciless Aphrodite” (655). Antigone’s grand gesture of love thus far, to bury her brother, had not yet brought Aphrodite to the cave. The question up until this Ode was whether Creon would change his mind, or Haemon would save Antigone from her doom. As a tragedy, and with the many hints of foreshadowing the audience already expects Antigone will die. This line however further reinforces the gods’, and especially love’s, presence in working their fate, while also foreshadowing Antigone’s death. Love of course is so unconquerable, that no one can save themselves from fate, not Antigone’s “glance working the will of heaven” nor Creon’s realization and futile attempt to reverse his
Aphrodite, as the goddess of love, is a notable example. The last line of the “Ode to Love” references Antigone’s call to Aphrodite, “A girl’s glance working the will of heaven: pleasure to her alone who mock us, merciless Aphrodite” (655). Antigone’s grand gesture of love thus far, to bury her brother, had not yet brought Aphrodite to the cave. The question up until this Ode was whether Creon would change his mind, or Haemon would save Antigone from her doom. As a tragedy, and with the many hints of foreshadowing the audience already expects Antigone will die. This line however further reinforces the gods’, and especially love’s, presence in working their fate, while also foreshadowing Antigone’s death. Love of course is so unconquerable, that no one can save themselves from fate, not Antigone’s “glance working the will of heaven” nor Creon’s realization and futile attempt to reverse his