Hubris in Antigone essays

Hubris in Antigone essays Sophocless Antigone deals with many aspects of good and evil. One of the most important points discussed in this tragedy is the idea of hubris. Hubris can be defined in many ways such as excessive pride, arrogance, and overstepping boundaries. Many people argue that both Creon, the ruler of Thebes, and Antigone, his niece, exhibit hubris. This text is very controversial in that it forces its readers to question its characters motives and decide whether their actions are justified. Topics such as what a kings duty to his country is and what a womans role in society is, is brought into focus. The story takes place right after the death of Polyneices and Eteocles, but there is some necessary background information you need to know first. Before the story took place, Oedipus was the ruler of Thebes. He had four children: Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices. A prophecy drove Oedipus from his country, leaving his two sons to rule. Oedipus declared that the two boys would rule alternately, starting with Eteocles. The problem begins when Eteocles refuses to step down from the throne when his rule is up. Polyneices, who is married to the daughter of the king of Argos, leads the Argives and several other cities against Thebes, ultimately resulting in the death of the two brothers. Creon, their uncle, then took up the throne and proclaimed: Tto the citizens about Oedipus sons./For Eteocles, who died this citys champion,/ showing his valors supremacy everywhere,/ he shall be buried in his grave with every rite/ of sanctity given to heroes under earth./ However, his brother, Polyneices, a returned exile,/ who sought to burn with fire from top to bottom/ his native city, and the gods of his own people;/ who sought to taste the blood he shared with us,/ and lead the rest of us to slavery/ I here proclaim to the city that this man/ shall no one honor with a grave and no one shall m...