Conflict In Sophocles Antigone

‘How should one live?’ ‘Is it possible to make a rational choice between personal decision and external constraints?’ and ‘Can practical rationality be used to avoid conflict?’ These are questions that Nussbaum tries to uncover through the tragic play, Sophocles’ Antigone, of Ancient Greek theatre. Nussbaum heavily focuses on the simplification committed by the protagonists, Creon and Antigone, as they attempt to ward off conflict through simplifying their “commitments and love”. This can be seen as the author leads the reader through the passages of the tragedy, demonstrating the decisions, perspectives and the axiomatic “practical wisdoms” of the protagonists. Moreover, she presents the reader with the emotional reactions of the Chorus as well as examining the reaction of the audiences of that time towards this conflict. Furthermore, Nussbaum underline’s Hegel’s interpretation of the Greek tragedy and takes a more critical look at the Hegelian approach. Finally, Nussbaum draws a conclusion that conflict or tragedy occurs when we try to simplify a complex world.

Nussbaum underlines the

Creon’s “moral imaginations” and “deliberative rationality” causes him to have a complete absence of internal conflict towards the aspect of familial ties. Nussbaum points this out as a contradiction with the state and civic interest and Creon’s “practical wisdom”. Unfortunately, this led to his downfall due to his rigid outlook and simplification of his ethics as Nussbaum reveals. Creon’s downfall is presented by the death of his son Haemon. This ultimately leads to Creon’s rejection of his “practical wisdom”, as Nussbaum accentuates, and the disharmony caused by deinon; meaning, as Nussbaum says, that Creon was portrayed as “awe-inspiring” but is later confronted with a dilemma that he no longer could control, which lead him to abandoning his narrow sighted