Antigone matches Aristotle’s description of a tragedy. Antigone was just a normal girl that was neither extremely unfortunate nor fortunate. She loses everything because of her brothers’ deaths, which were both out of her control. Aristotle’s version of a tragedy is the worst thing happening to a normal person without a reason or cause, and the story Antigone is the perfect fit. “The power of fate is a wonder, dark, terrible wonder— neither wealth nor armies towered walls nor ships black hulls lashed by the salt can save us from that force.” (pg. 108 Sophocles). This proves that Antigone was not all that special and was instead just like any other person. She could relate to anyone. Another example is the story of Antigone is king Creon, who at the end of the play ends up losing everything he loves. “…god came down and struck me—a great weight shattering, driving me down that wild savage path, ruining, trampling down my joy. Oh the agony, the heartbreaking agonies of our lives.” (pg. 124 Sophocles). This is after Creon’s son dies, it is another example of Aristotle’s description of a tragedy, Creon being a semi-normal person ends up losing all he loves because of an uncontrollable prophecy. Antigone meets Aristotle’s description of a tragedy because of the way in which both Creon and Antigone suffer from tragedies that could not be changed.
6 thoughts on “Does Antigone match Aristotle’s description of a tragedy?”
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This is a good response and you give a lot of details that support your answer, although I would say that Antigone wasn’t just a normal person as she was a daughter of Oedipus and a princess. Great job 😁😎
Excellent personal response Adam. You gave examples and explained Aristotle’s description of a tragedy beforehand incase the reader did not know exactly what it was. I agree with you that Antigone matches Aristotle’s description of a tragedy.
I like how you viewed things about this story. However i disagree with you on how Antigone was not unfortunate or fortunate. I would say she is very unfortunate because of how she lost her brothers, and parents. Furthermore since she is royalty she also has lots to lose which makes her even more unfortunate.
Good job Adam! I like how you used multiple pieces of evidence to prove your points and how you ended with a strong conclusion. However, you didn’t fully analyze the quotes and how the strengthened your point.
Adam, Although my last comment seemed quite harsh, I do recognize you did quite a well job, however, your depiction of Antigones importance and role seems false as she is not just anybody.
Great response Adam! I like how many quotes you had as they really supported your ideas and thoughts about the story. I agree with your points saying that Antigone matches Aristotle’s description of tragedy.