Essay on Light and Dark in Antigone - 1194 Words

Use of Light and Dark in Antigone The Golden Age of Greece is noted for its many contributions to the creative world, especially in its development of the play. These performances strived to emphasize Greek morals, and were produced principally for this purpose. Antigone, by Sophocles, is typical. The moral focused on in Antigone is the conflict between physis (nature) and nomos (law), with physis ultimately presiding over nomos. Throughout Antigone, King Creon is a symbol for nomos, while Antigone stands on the side of physis. To portray these ideas, light and dark images are used as a recurring motif to reinforce the theme. Light is used to show something good that is happening, whereas dark is utilized to show something of†¦show more content†¦These are all positive feedback to the victory of Eteolces, and with the help of these light images, it is easy to identify the chorus thoughts. Another praise to Creon is found in Ode I, where his law against burying Polyneices is referred to as clear intelligence. In this instance, clear is used in the sense that it is easily visible, or obvious, making the statement positive for Creon. Later, in Ode I, the gods again side with Creon, as they refer to his decisions in lines 4 to 5, Earth, holy and inexhaustible, is graven/With shining furrows where his plows have gone... The gods are praising Creon; shining furrows where his plows have gone imply that he has left a good indent on matters that he has ruled on, in this case referring to the law against burying Polyneices. It is once again apparent that nomos is being favored by the chorus. As the middle of Antigone approaches, the chorus seems to be unsure of whom to favor, and is torn between physis and nomos. Because of this, references to light and dark motifs in scenes two and three are ironic, and sometimes even contradictory. In lines 89 to 90 of Scene II, Creon claims, ...crimes kept in the dark/Cry for light. As Creon says this in regards to Antigone, this statement, ironically, could apply to him as well, as his recent actions and abuse of his power could also be considered a crime. This comment actually foreshadows Creons own fate. AnotherShow MoreRelatedThemes of Antigone2022 Words   |  9 PagesThe Themes of Antigone Antigone is credited as one of the best works of Sophocles, ranked by most modern critics above Oedipus the King. There are many aspects of Antigone that make it the play critics love to decipher and rave about. Antigone must be received as the canon of ancient tragedy: no tragedy of antiquity that we possess approaches it in pure idealism, or in harmony of artistic development hails critic Berhardy (Theatre History). He goes on to rave It is the first poem produced byRead MoreSignificance of the Women in Sophocles Antigone Essay2507 Words   |  11 PagesSignificance of the Women in Antigone  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Michael J. O’Brien in the Introduction to Twentieth Century Interpretations of Oedipus Rex, maintains that there is â€Å"a good deal of evidence to support this view† that the fifth century playwright was the â€Å"educator of his people† and a â€Å"teacher† (4). Sophocles in his tragedy Antigone teaches about â€Å"morally desirable attitudes and behavior,† (4) and uses a woman as heroine and another woman in a supporting role to do most of the instructingRead More Irony in Sophocles Antigone Essay2352 Words   |  10 Pagesthe irony, in Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone, and see if we don’t conclude that, as it applies to King Creon it brings quite the same result as in Jevons’ stated situation.    In Sophocles: The Theban Plays E. F. 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