Sophocles, in Antigone, says mankind tends to make poor choices because we are engulfed in arrogance; we are deaf to reason and can’t see the purpose of the gods’ laws.
Mankind is gifted; we are allowed to make our own choices. Whether those choices affect our future in a positive or negative way is up to us. Additionally, the choices we make reflect upon us and reveal our characters. For example, Ismene is able to choose her path between assisting in the burial of her brother, Polyneices, or leaving his body out to rot. “You must decide…,” Antigone announces, “will [you] help me or not” (Sophocles Prologue l. 29 emphasis added). Ismene is able to decide her future; she is presented with many options that will affect both her and those involved …show more content…
Notably, when we are arrogant, we become isolated and can only hear our own voice. We then become deaf to others opinions and, ultimately, can’t comprehend the logic behind their motives. For example, in Haemon’s speech to his father he states, “reason is God’s crowning gift to man, and you are right to warn me against losing mine” (Scene 4 ll. 52-3 emphasis added). God has gifted us with the power to reason through our decisions and choose the most logical path. Additionally, if Haemon were to lose his reason, he would become prideful just like Creon. They wouldn’t be able to find the helpfulness in one another’s opinions. For instance, during Haemon’s speech he announces, “there are other men who can reason...and their opinions might be helpful.” (ll. 55-6). Haemon claims that Creon isn’t a man who knows everything. There are other people who can reason through their choices and come up with a logical conclusion. In fact, someone else’s opinion might be much more helpful than the clouded reasoning of the all arrogant King Creon. However, Creon’s pride won’t allow him to listen to other’s opinions as he is destined to be right; there is no reasoning behind Creon’s judgments. Furthermore, earlier in the play, Antigone is brought to Creon and the Choragus claims, “like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf to reason!” (Scene 2 ll. 75-6). Antigone’s prideful attitude has brought her to be deaf to reason. She feels satisfied after burying Polyneices and looks at death “headstrong.” Moreover, Antigone thinks her decision of burying Polyneices was right because she was obeying the laws of the gods’. However, she’s acting prideful in her mortal life and isn’t using reason to guide her choices. Instead of looking at death “headstrong,” Antigone should’ve apologised for breaking Creon’s edict and gave him a logical response to her actions. But, our pride prevents us from evolving and we
Mankind is gifted; we are allowed to make our own choices. Whether those choices affect our future in a positive or negative way is up to us. Additionally, the choices we make reflect upon us and reveal our characters. For example, Ismene is able to choose her path between assisting in the burial of her brother, Polyneices, or leaving his body out to rot. “You must decide…,” Antigone announces, “will [you] help me or not” (Sophocles Prologue l. 29 emphasis added). Ismene is able to decide her future; she is presented with many options that will affect both her and those involved …show more content…
Notably, when we are arrogant, we become isolated and can only hear our own voice. We then become deaf to others opinions and, ultimately, can’t comprehend the logic behind their motives. For example, in Haemon’s speech to his father he states, “reason is God’s crowning gift to man, and you are right to warn me against losing mine” (Scene 4 ll. 52-3 emphasis added). God has gifted us with the power to reason through our decisions and choose the most logical path. Additionally, if Haemon were to lose his reason, he would become prideful just like Creon. They wouldn’t be able to find the helpfulness in one another’s opinions. For instance, during Haemon’s speech he announces, “there are other men who can reason...and their opinions might be helpful.” (ll. 55-6). Haemon claims that Creon isn’t a man who knows everything. There are other people who can reason through their choices and come up with a logical conclusion. In fact, someone else’s opinion might be much more helpful than the clouded reasoning of the all arrogant King Creon. However, Creon’s pride won’t allow him to listen to other’s opinions as he is destined to be right; there is no reasoning behind Creon’s judgments. Furthermore, earlier in the play, Antigone is brought to Creon and the Choragus claims, “like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf to reason!” (Scene 2 ll. 75-6). Antigone’s prideful attitude has brought her to be deaf to reason. She feels satisfied after burying Polyneices and looks at death “headstrong.” Moreover, Antigone thinks her decision of burying Polyneices was right because she was obeying the laws of the gods’. However, she’s acting prideful in her mortal life and isn’t using reason to guide her choices. Instead of looking at death “headstrong,” Antigone should’ve apologised for breaking Creon’s edict and gave him a logical response to her actions. But, our pride prevents us from evolving and we