Tradegy in Greek Literature :: essays research papers

Tragedy in Hellenic LiteratureWhen one hears the enunciate tragedy, they might think of someone dying in a elevator car wreck, being killed in a plane crash, or even a massive tsunami that wipes out nations. This type of tragedy is the most common, but when referring to Greek literature, a tragedy is an outstanding piece of drama originating in old-fashioned Greece. Greek tragedy originated in honor of the divinity fudge of wine, Dionysus, the patron god of tragedy. The performance took place in an open-air theater. The work tragedy is derived from the backchat tragedia or goat song. Aristotle said, Tragedy is largely based on lifetimes pity and splendor (Lucas).Greek tragedy would not be complete with out a tragic hero. Sophocles, the great writer of tragedy, wrote of overlord and courageous heroes with specific tragic flaws that sensation the hero to his downfall. In Aristotles analysis of Greek tragedy he states, Greek tragedy has an final result on the audience called catharsis, or purging of the emotions (Mcavoy). The two specific emotions that Sophocles provokes atomic number 18 pity and fear. Sophocles wrote Antigone with a specific character in mind for this portentous hero. Creon fits the image of the hero with the tragic flaw. Creon is significant because he is the king. The trying decisions that Creon is face up with, is what makes him fit Aristotles image of a tragic hero. Creon faced decisions that lead to a no-win situation. He believes that Polyneices should not be buried because he was a traitor to his family. This decision affected Antigone greatly, and Creon knew that the decision would be hard on some people. Family and burials are very important in society, and Creon is ask Antigone to not consider them, to only consider that Polyneices was a traitor to his base of operations city. Creon is then faced with the knowledge that Antigone went against his will and law, and buried her brother. Again, Creon is faced with a hard de cision. He must choose to kill his own family section and uphold the law, or punish her less severely and show that he is not serious about expiry as a penalisation to his law. Creon doesnt want to show weakness, even for family, but he doesnt want to kill Antigone, who is not only his niece and sister, but engaged to his son. The final decision that Creon must make is whether or not to revoke his death sentence on Antigone.