Sense of identity is important for everyday life but sometimes it can cause harm. In Sophocles’ play Antigone a woman, Antigone, fights against unjust politics in an attempt to honor her brother who died in war. Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart focuses around a man, Okonkwo, in igbo colony that gets invaded by colonists and how he fights back against colonization. In both Things Fall Apart and Antigone, Okonkwo’s and Antigone's senses of identity changed because of changes in rules and social customs, leading to their death. In Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo went from seeing himself above everyone else and that he could do no wrong only to realize in the end that he was no more than, causing him to commit suicide. For example, “Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness.” (Achebe 17). This quote shows Okonkwo thinks of himself very highly and thinks that he should never fail or show weakness. In addition, “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog.” (Achebe 188). This quote further shows that the colonist that came led to …show more content…
An example of this is “Yes. I’ll do my duty to my brother - and yours as well, if you’re not prepared to. I won’t be caught betraying him.” (Sophocles 318). This is significant because it was unlawful to bury her brother, but Antigone would rather honor her family than follow the law. Furthermore, when Creon wants to kill her for burying her brother Antigone says, “Then why delay? There’s nothing in your words that I enjoy” (Sophocles 339). Now Antigone is outright daring the king right in front of him. From this evidence, we can conclude that Antigone was a little prideful and thought herself better than the
I don't deny a thing” (Sophocles 81). Antigone was never ashamed to stand up for what she believed in, especially when it came to the loyalty between herself and her endeared brother. Antigone did not find much value in laws set in place by mortals, instead, she obeyed those put in place by the gods. When she was interrogated, she told Creon that she simply would not listen to him because, “It wasn't Zeus, not in the least, who made this proclamation– not to me” (Sophocles 82). Antigone respects
(Sophocles 193). Antigone is confident and even surprised that Ismene wasn't willing to join her in her protest. Creon is a tyrant that was power hungry, and too controlling of his family and the people who lived in his city. Antigone saw this overuse of power and could stand to bear it anymore. She had to bury her brother because that was what she believed was right.
Antigone made her viewpoint clear that no matter which side her brothers were on, they were family and worthy of honor. Antigone is more loyal. Antigone is being very loyal to her family by giving their brother a proper burial. It states in the story “Creon buried our brother Eteocles with military honors... but Polyneices...fought as bravely and died as miserably” (Sophocles 666).
For example, when she puts aside her grave fear of consequence to traverse the bridge. Antigone is overwhelmed by her own stubbornness, which leads to a tragic situation. Antigone refuses to compromise with her sister, Ismene, whom when she first learns of her brother's death. Antigone's unrepressed emotions gives a voice of dissatisfaction with Creon’s. Ever since Antigone gets herself in that situation facing Creon’s wrath, but still she doesn’t make a decision on how to bury her brother.
Antigone died with great honor and pride with aside her brother, she succeeded in being a
In the tragic play Antigone by Paul Woodruff, he conveys loyalty to have a horrible effect on characters in the story. Loyalty is being shown through ANTIGONE: “But I will bury him, and if I must die. I say that this crime is holy” (Sophocles I. Prologue. 192).
The novel "Thing's fall apart" by Chinua Achebe is a complex work that masterfully establishes and develops characters through their experience with cultural collision. The way that Achebe accomplishes carefully weaving his implicit claim throughout the work is such a beautiful subtlety that it deserves to be analyzed. The Igbo's pride is constantly challenged by the colonizers as they gain increasingly more power in Africa. The idea of pride is constantly developed throughout the thoughts and actions of the novels protagonist Okonkwo. His response to the colonizers is influenced by his own views on pride and is used by Achebe to illustrate his own opinion on pride.
To continue, Antigone is faced with a lot of pressure and disapproval from other people after she went against the law to bury her brother. When Creon questioned Antigone asking, “So you chose flagrantly to disobey my law?” Antigone responded explaining how she knew about the law but felt it was wrong to not bury her brother. She then stated, “For this, I have no twinges of regret,” (Sophocles 210). Through Antigone’s confident thought through response to the king, readers can infer that unlike Creon, Antigone is proud of what she did.
Men have a lot of pride in Antigone, they believe that women are secondary in society. With men talking down to women; for example, Creon says to Antigone “Pride? In a slave?... Who is the man here…”
The novel “things fall apart” is about the fatal demise of Okonkwo and the igbo culture of Umuofia. Okonkwo is well known and respected leader in his community, who is successful in everything he does, such as wrestling and farming. He is quick with his hands and takes pride in his accomplishments. Okonkwo’s family relationship makes him a sympathetic character because of his support and an unsympathetic character because of his cruelty. In many ways Okonkwo showed that he had no sympathy for others , However at times he could be sympathetic.
In the Greek Tragedy, Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone defies the law Creon enforced that forbids his people to bury the body of Polyneices. She believed very strongly that Polyneices deserved a proper burial as much as anyone and for his soul to be at peace. Antigone is a story that shows how the main character overstepped the king's law when she attested to burying her brother. These details relate to the common saying or idiom that, “your actions have consequences in the future.”
This also represents the importance of image to him and shows that he is self-conscious about himself. “‘We shall not do you any harm,’ said the District Commissioner..” (Achebe 194). This is quite ironic since the Europeans ended up abusing Okonkwo and his comrades and eventually destroying the Igbo culture. In this quote the author is implying that in the European's’ perspective, they are doing a good thing for the Igbo in the Umuofia by changing their beliefs, but in reality they are destroying their culture which the foundation and the identity of the Igbo.
All laws are created for a reason; everyone is held accountable to the same laws. In Sophocles play, Antigone, the first thing King Creon does is proclaim a strident but coherent set of laws for the people of Thebes. Most people obey the law but some do not. One of the rebels in the scenario is the main character, Antigone. She is the daughter of the deceased King and Queen, as well as the sister of Polyneices, Eteocles, and Ismene.
She needed to prove a point by herself and didn’t want anyone else involved. Antigone is a selfish character who only wants what is best for herself and doesn’t think about the repercussions of her actions and the effects that they will have on those around her. When Antigone decides to go ahead with her decision to burry her brother, she alone is engaging in an act of civil disobedience toward the king directly, but quite frankly she doesn’t care. Her character has little regard for powerful people especially when they have different views than her own. Antigone, as well as everyone in her kingdom, knows what the wishes of Creon are in regards to her brother, but going along with her characteristic of disrespect toward authority, she breaks the rules anyways knowing that there will be consequences for her actions.
Although Okonkwo isn’t highborn, he becomes wealthy and noble throughout the story. Also, he has human characteristics and feelings. Last, of all, he has a tragic downfall, hanging himself, due to all of his tragic flaws, such as his hubris, violence , and fear of weakness. Therefore, Okonkwo is a tragic hero.