Analysis of Antigone
Sophocles’ Antigone, is the last of several works surrounding Oedipus. In this text, Oedipus is dead, and his daughter, and sister Antigone is determined to bury her brother Polyneices. However, before she can be successful, King Creon catches, her and punishes her to reside in a cave. In this text, Tiresias plays a different role, Tiresias seeks out Creon, who proclaims that he has never “disobeyed thy rede.”[1] Sophocles emphasis Tiresias’ skill in augury, and the relationship that he has established with King Creon, to emphasis Tiresias’ power and divine relationship. In Antigone, Tiresias not only displays his wisdom, but divines a prophecy with the power to move a king.
When Tiresias, first appears he does so of his own accord, displaying a security in his abilities, and a trust in his relationship with Creon. Tiresias tells Creon that he “treadest once again on the razor edge of peril,”[2] and when the king asks for an explanation, Sophocles creates a vivid image of Tiresias’ methods. Tiresias describes how he “essayed the sacrifice by fire,”[3] and interpreted the noises and fighting of the birds. This vivid description of the prophet’s methods attribute him a quality that more than human; a divine attribute. Tiresias understands more than men, and he can do more than men, even though he is blind. He came to Creon because he knew through “ a jargon of strange twitterings, hoots, and screams,”[4] that the Creon was on the precipice of a major event. By foregoing the use of an invitation, and emphasis Tiresias’ divine methods, Sophocles portrays a man who is above the laws that govern common men, for he is neither bond by nature, nor the Greek society.
When Tiresias speaks, to Creon he is not deterred by his position as King. For example, when Creon eventually rejects Tiresias’ prophecy, Tiresias insults him, calling kings “a lucre loving race.”[5] It is also at this point that the Tiresias threatens the king, saying “take heed, thou wilt provoke me,”[6] implying that his prophetic knowledge is not only great, but powerful enough to be used as a weapon against a king. While Tiresias does tell Creon what he had been withholding, he does not end up using it as a weapon, for Creon is so fearful that he begs Tiresias to be cautious. The power of Tiresias can be further illustrated when he is gone. Once Tiresias has used his power, he continues to influence to Creon.
Sophocles portrays a conflicted Creon who initially does not know whether or not to listen to Tiresias, but the king eventually chooses to bend to the knowledge of the prophet. However, Creon is too late, and several people, including Antigone, die as a result. By allowing Tiresias to sway the actions of Creon, Sophocles reasserts the power of Tiresias. This idea is later furthered, when Tiresias’ prediction come true, despite Creon’s decision to listen to him. Tiresias is an old blind man, but he contains divine skills that give him knowledge that is always accurate, and cannot be obtained by any other man; this power elevates him to the level of kings, or higher.
When Tiresias, first appears he does so of his own accord, displaying a security in his abilities, and a trust in his relationship with Creon. Tiresias tells Creon that he “treadest once again on the razor edge of peril,”[2] and when the king asks for an explanation, Sophocles creates a vivid image of Tiresias’ methods. Tiresias describes how he “essayed the sacrifice by fire,”[3] and interpreted the noises and fighting of the birds. This vivid description of the prophet’s methods attribute him a quality that more than human; a divine attribute. Tiresias understands more than men, and he can do more than men, even though he is blind. He came to Creon because he knew through “ a jargon of strange twitterings, hoots, and screams,”[4] that the Creon was on the precipice of a major event. By foregoing the use of an invitation, and emphasis Tiresias’ divine methods, Sophocles portrays a man who is above the laws that govern common men, for he is neither bond by nature, nor the Greek society.
When Tiresias speaks, to Creon he is not deterred by his position as King. For example, when Creon eventually rejects Tiresias’ prophecy, Tiresias insults him, calling kings “a lucre loving race.”[5] It is also at this point that the Tiresias threatens the king, saying “take heed, thou wilt provoke me,”[6] implying that his prophetic knowledge is not only great, but powerful enough to be used as a weapon against a king. While Tiresias does tell Creon what he had been withholding, he does not end up using it as a weapon, for Creon is so fearful that he begs Tiresias to be cautious. The power of Tiresias can be further illustrated when he is gone. Once Tiresias has used his power, he continues to influence to Creon.
Sophocles portrays a conflicted Creon who initially does not know whether or not to listen to Tiresias, but the king eventually chooses to bend to the knowledge of the prophet. However, Creon is too late, and several people, including Antigone, die as a result. By allowing Tiresias to sway the actions of Creon, Sophocles reasserts the power of Tiresias. This idea is later furthered, when Tiresias’ prediction come true, despite Creon’s decision to listen to him. Tiresias is an old blind man, but he contains divine skills that give him knowledge that is always accurate, and cannot be obtained by any other man; this power elevates him to the level of kings, or higher.
[1] Sophocles. Antigone. N.p.: Prestwick House, 2005. Print. 217
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid. 218
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid. 220
[6] Ibid.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid. 218
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid. 220
[6] Ibid.