Tiresias

again. Dramatic irony adds suspense to scene 1 when Oedipus is begging Tiresias to tell him who murdered king Laios, and Oedipus tries to force him to speak, saying, “What you say is ungracious and unhelpful to your native country. Do not refuse to speak.” (Sophocles 17). The audience already knows that he is going to say that it was Oedipus, and we as the audience are waiting to see what kind of a reaction he is going to have Tiresias tells Oedipus the truth. This literally has the audience…

no loved one [to mourn] [her] death,” she felt fulfilled with “[her] reward” for “[honoring] [Polynices]...well and wisely too” (963, 968-969, 993-995). In one sense of honor, Antigone didn’t receive recognition from the elders of the community, Tiresias, nor the gods, but instead received only condemnation from Creon and discouragement from Ismene. However, in the other sense of honor, Sophocles uses the fact that Antigone didn’t get public honor to emphasize the personal honor that Antigone…

I remember it so clearly how horrifying it was. By “it” I mean the death of Prince Haemon, son of King Creon. When the servants and I got the command to free Antigone, we went as fast as possible (8). While she did go against Creon’s wishes, it was noble of Antigone to try burying her brother; I respected her for that (1). When we got there, Princess Antigone was dead from suicide, going to the heavens, but that wasn’t the worst of it (2). Confused and horrified came Haemon (6). He was in a…

What would you consider to be the most humiliating act you could possibly commit? Maybe sending a wrong text to your grandmother or having an embarrassing picture of you go viral. Or how about killing your father and marrying your mother without knowing? Oedipus lived through this humiliation. His stubbornness forced the truth to be revealed about his crimes and he lost his noble title of king and hero of Thebes. The combination of Oedipus’s noble stature, fatal flaw, and downfall make him a…

a prophecy the Gods are furious with him. Before it's too late, he begs Creon to set Antigone free. Creon is outraged at Tiresias’s advice, accusing him of taking a bribe. In retaliation, Tiresias tells him it is too late. Creon's son will be taken from him as a form of punishment. Creon realizes that Tiresias is serious and acts quickly to do as he is advised. At the conclusion of the play, a messenger informs the palace that Haemon took his own life after discovering Antigone hanging from a…

How Fate Works in Greek Society Life Fate is defined as the development of events beyond a human's control, determined by a supernatural power. How important is fate in a society? Why bother thinking about what fate is? Based on Greek works, when fate is in the hands of man, it is uncontrollable. In many situations, fate determines whether one lives or dies. In Greek society, fate is very important due to it being the determination of one's future. Many Greek works revolve around the word, fate…

War as a hero. After the war he embarks on a ten year journey to return home where he finds new places and has a life full of adventure. He encounters the cannibalistic Laestrygonians and the Cyclopes leading to excitement and help from the prophet Tiresias and even meets his dead mother. The ten year journey leads to an interesting life and questions about life and purpose both are addressed in each poem, Ulysses and Ithaka. The poem Ulysses, Greek Odysseus focuses on the journey and the life…

answers. Oedipus embarked on a quest not only to discover his beginnings, but to uncover the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. His thirst for knowledge propagates this urge by demonstrating stubbornness. Characters such as Tiresias, Creon, and Jocasta all attempt to halt his progress, each character carrying information of Oedipus’s beginnings. Each time Oedipus comes closer to the truth…

The focal point of Sophocles’ Antigone is the protagonist’s desire and search for justice. Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, is the play’s tragic heroine who fights against the evil Creon, the current King of Thebes. Her rebellion against the king was ignited by her thirst for justice, stopping at nearly nothing to combat the immoralities standing in her way. In her heart, the sacredness of family and honor is the pinnacle aspect of her life. These beliefs of hers create the source of…

When Oedipus calls for Tiresias for help and he refuses Oedipus proceeds to call him a fake for not stepping up to answer the Sphinx's riddle and says, "…No. I came, know-nothing Oedipus, I stopped the Sphinx. I answered the riddle with my own intelligence- the birds had nothing to teach me." (24) He prides himself on figuring out the riddle of the Sphinx, but he uses his accomplishment to gloat and in return gets nothing from Tiresias. He used achievement as some kind of weapon…