Creon

In his play Antigone, Sophocles’ main point is that pride is despised by the gods and punished without mercy. The gods are extremely vengeful and unforgiving throughout the play. The play presents various other themes including individual versus state, conscience versus law, moral or divine law versus human law; gender and the position of women; inaction/lack of agency versus agency; and the threat of tyranny.

These themes move along the action of the play, bringing it to the play’s final conclusion – King Creon’s downfall. Creon’s downfall is further evidence of the extremely vengeful nature of the gods, who force him to be punished because of his display of hubris, or pride.

The plot of the play begins with King Creon who decrees that the traitor Polynicesis not to be buried. However, Polynicesis’ sister Antigone defies the order (as cited in Sophocles 2005).  She is caught, and sentenced by Creon to be buried alive, even though she is betrothed to his son Haemon. After the blind prophet Tiresias proves that the gods are on Antigone’s side, Creon changes his mind, albiet too late (as cited in Sophocles 2005).

He goes first to bury Polynices, but Antigone has already hanged herself. When Creon arrives at the tomb, Haemon attacks him and then kills himself. When the news of their death is reported, Creon’s wife Eurydice takes her own life. Creon left is alone at the end of the play to pay for his sins against the gods (as cited in Sophocles 2005).

There is no question that pride, throughout the context of Antigone, is a trait despised by the gods and punished without mercy. In Antigone, Sophocles describes the type of pride that allows men to create laws that substitute for divine principles.

In other words, when Creon creates a law because he believes it is divine will, this is the ultimate display of punishable pride, for no man can ever create a law that is equal to or above divine right (as cited in Wycherley, 1947).

As a result, when Tiresias comes with the news that Creon will suffer, Creon realizes that he has made a terrible mistake, and yet still refuses to admit it, bending to the prophet’s message only because he wants to preserve his life, not because he knows he’s gone too far. As a result, he must suffer the loss of his family.

The gods are extremely vengeful throughout the play. The gods are displeased that Antigone’s brother Polyniecies is kept unburied. In Greece, it was necessary for the dead to be buried otherwise they would not enter the underworld (as cited in Linforth, 1931). Thus, Antigone is more concerned about the law of the gods goes forth to bury her brother even against the order of Creon the king of Thebes.

It is because of her attempt to burry her brother and obey the will of the gods that she is caught and eventually kills herself. Meanwhile, Creon is told about the gods displeasure but while he manages to bury the body of Polyniecies, he fails to stop the suicide of Antigone and her fiancé, this in turn causing his wife Eurydiecies to kill herself as well. Therefore, Creon looses both his son and his wife.

The plot of the play basically goes to say that divine law cannot be altered by any mortal (as cited in Margon, 1970).  Creon attempts to break the divine laws by not allowing the burial and, in doing so causes the deaths, of Antigone, his son and his wife.  The role of the gods is divine authority (as cited in Margon, 1970).  Creon goes against their will and looses all.

The contribution of the gods to the events of the story may be open to largely different interpretations, ranging from indirect influence to constant involvement (as cited in Jacobs, 1996).

Taking the story at face value, it can be seen that while the direct interaction of the gods was nonexistent, their indirect effect on the stated beliefs and actions of the main characters influenced the events of the entire play (as cited in Jacobs, 1996).

The character of Antigone was portrayed throughout the tragedy as being clear of mind, always certain not only that honoring the divine was th proper course to take in any situation, but also of how exactly to pay respect to them, as in her quote, “I know I am pleasing those I should please most” ( Sophocles, 2005).

Another theme that the play touches on is individual versus state; conscience versus law; moral or divine law versus human law. These three conflicts are very closely related, and together they can begin to untangle some of the central issues of the play (as cited in Butler, 2000).

Antigone and her values line up with the first entity in each pair, while Creon and his values line up with the second.  Antigone continues to be a subversive and powerful play, and the inspiration for generations of rebels and dissidents (as cited in Butler, 2000). The conflict between the individual and the power of the state was as pressing for Greek audiences as it is to modern ones.

Antigone is a threat to the status quo; she invokes divine law as defense of her actions, but implicit in her position is faith in the discerning power of her individual conscience (as cited in Butler, 2000). She sacrifices her life out of devotion to principles higher than human law.

Creon makes a mistake in sentencing her, and his mistake is condemned, in turn, by the gods. However, his position is an understandable one. In the wake of war, and with his reign so new, Creon has to establish his authority as supreme.

On the other hand, Creon’s need to defeat Antigone seems at times to be extremely personal (as cited in Butler, 2000). At stake is not only the order of the state, but his pride and sense of himself as a king and, more fundamentally, a man.

The direction of the first scene of Antigone will set the mood for the entire play.  Antigone has called her sister Ismene to meet her outside the palace gates in Thebes.  She tells her sister the king will not allow their brother Polyneices to be buried.  Antigone tries to get her sister to help but she refuses.

The setting will be at night.  Both women wear robes, with Antigone’s robe a dark color indicating mourning.  The set will be simple.  The palace gates and wall is the backdrop, with a strong imposing look.  There will be soft light glowing from behind the wall.  This will give the impression of life and activity.

Although Antigone and Ismene are the only characters, the sound stage should be set to give the impression of occasional voices behind the wall.  The voices will be muffled and sound like a conversation between people walking past.  When this occurs, the sisters stop talking and look at the gate, fearful someone has heard them and is coming out to investigate.  Then the sound of conversation will fade away, and their conversation resumes.

In front of the wall will be a simple bench made to look like stone.  There will be two “torches”  near the bench to cast the sisters in a “half-light”.  Antigone will be seated on the bench.  When Ismene approaches she will rise to embrace her.  At first both sisters will sit together.  As the conversation develops Antigone will pace.

The actresses will make gestures and expressions that match the dialog.  Sound and lighting will give the effect of a thunderstorm approaching from the distance.    Music is in the background.  It will be somber and at a moderate level until Ismene appears, then quiet during their conversation, and become louder and suspenseful at the close of the scene.  Wind from the storm blows out the torches.

Oedipus meets all the criteria of a tragic hero.  He is of noble birth with a character that is consistent throughout as a truth-seeker, always in quest of knowledge, and a riddle-solver wanting to be a savior of people; yet as every other person, he had his flaws, which reversed his prosperity.

His intelligence and stateliness is worthy of that of a king, so his doom fills the readers with pity and fear, which is the essence of a tragedy.

Though Oedipus realizes that fate had a hand in his doom, he knew he had his own flaws.

A woman can also be a tragic hero so long as she meets the criteria set for a tragic hero, and Antigone meets all the criteria. Yet I consider Oedipus to be the best tragic hero here, he being glorious and his fall, dramatic.

To go by Aristotle’s view, Antigone, Oedipus and Creon, all  meet the criteria of  being tragic heroes in that all of them face disastrous consequences because of certain fundamental flaws common to humanity.

(3)Antigone strongly felt Creon should not interfere in matters relating to religion, and

leaving the dead unburied was against the divine law.  She defies Creon and does notever regret it even in the face of death. Thus her remark, “I do not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten unalterable laws of God and heaven, you being only a man.”

Creon on the other hand respects the rules of the state, and though he could have changed them, if he so chose, remains adamant that Polynice, her brother, be left to rot.  Ismene does not act emotionally.  She thinks twice about dying for the dead.

Antigone’s views clashed with that of the others in that she failed to see the impact of her action on those around her, for instance Haemon.

(4)The Greek view is that a tragic hero should ideally be a king so that his people also experience his fall.  He should be venerable but imperfect so that the audience may associate themselves with him.

As great as the hero is, they feel his fall should be as great too, a calamity worthy of their hero.   But modern-day hero is not necessarily of royal birth. He can rise to glory by contributing positively to the society or the world at large, and unlike the tragic hero, who often dies or survives only to suffer, may even be victorious, and his flaws are not fatal.

To quote Duane Lowry, a member of the American Political Historians Association, an American hero is “someone who embodies popular values and is the driving force behind an important social, political, or scientific change or transformation that lifts the spirit of America and betters the situation of the country.”

Apple Computers: Research on how Apple Managed to Reinvent Itself over the Years Apple computer Inc. currently known with the brand name Apple Inc. is a global corporation that makes end-users electrical products, computer programs, and marketable servers. The company’s main merchandise lines are iPod tune entertainers, iphone, and Macintosh. Apple Inc founders were Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs who integrated the company on January 3,1977 in California (Young & Simon, 2005). Apple has been predominantly a manufacturer of laptops for example Macintosh, Power Mac, and Apple 1.

In the 1990’s, the company faced unsteady vending and stumpy market. During that time Steve Jobs had been expelled but later in 1986, he returned to the company and became the CEO. Apple Corporation purchased another company called neXT and Jobs instilled fresh company policy of identifiable goods and simple devices. In 2001, the iPod melody player became successful making the company the leader in the customers’ electronic business (Sutherland, Ed, 2010). Apple Inc. has had its successes and failures.

In 1980, the introduction of Apple 11 was the beginning and the representation of the computer uprising during that period. Although the company had many competitors like the Commodore PET, this product defeated all other products and rapidly personified the other computers in the public awareness. It was highly advertised and its sales increased for three years consecutively. The Apple 11 had an attractive design, incorporated keyboard; ability to plug into any electronic devices like TVs making it successful.

Its success was highly motivated by a program called VisiCalc, an initial spreadsheet to surface in the market (Young & Simon, 2005). The company was developing at an unbelievable quick rate. In spite of the achievements, Macintosh auctions started to fall following a hopeful beginning, and internal troubles affected the company. Power struggle among partitions persisted, and deprived account trailing brought about overproduction. Steve jobs introduced a new product in the market called Lisa named after his daughter.

After his appointment in Xerox PARC, the venture Lisa became a distress too. The major challenge was to plan a real product. The company had also suffered a big blow due to the CEO’s bad publicity. The company was later re-organized. In 1980, Apple 111 became a catastrophe in the market because of many flaws. Lisa too was a disappointment to the company. Accepting to go public, Apple Inc. became successful again. Some of the successes related directly to the company’s culture are its ability to stand out even over other competitors like IBM because of its initiators.

The company has a status of nurturing individualism and distinction that dependably draws skilled people to its employment especially after Steve Job’s return to the company. The company’s slogans and logos too have influenced its success. Apple Inc. merchandise commercial increased its reputation for initiating musicians into prominence (Sutherland, Ed, 2010). The company has also experienced product loyalty from its users. In conclusion, Apple Inc formerly known as Apple computer Inc. s an international company, which formulates consumers’ electrical products, computer programs, and viable servers with some of its products including iPod tune entertainers, iphone, and Macintosh. The Apple Inc. has gone through some of its successes and failures. Introduction of Apple 11 in 1980 was the commencement and the image of the computer unrest throughout that era. The company has also enjoyed its success because of various attributes such as its motto, symbol, the company’s ability to raise celebrities to recognition, and the loyalty portrayed by some of the company’s consumers.

Some of the failures experienced by the company were the introduction of Apple 111, Lisa project, and the continuous change of management. References Sutherland, Ed (October 29, 2010). Apple Tops Microsoft Revenue in Third Quarter. Retrieved from http://www. cultofmac. com/apple-tops-microsoft-revenue-in-third-quarter/66698. Young, Jeffrey; William L. Simon (2005). ICon Steve Jobs: The greatest second act in the history of business. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

In differentiating between the protagonist and the secondary characters in Greek drama, four characteristics of a traditional Greek hero should be kept in mind: undying loyalty, strong convictions, a single character flaw, and a lesson learned. In the play, Antigone, by Sophocles, two characters, Antigone and Creon, have thee of these four. The possession of the fourth quality is what sets one apart as the main character. Even though the title of the play is Antigone, the main character-the protagonist- is Creon.Antigone may seem to be the only character to have everlasting loyalty , as she is willing to die for her brother, Polyneices, right to a proper burial; however, Creon also displays this trait. It is Creon’s duty as a Greek man and as a King to protect his kingdom and put it above his enemy, regardless of his or her identity.

Saying ” a foe is never a friend,not even in death” (Sophocles ) Creon decrees that Polyneices shall not be buried. He enforces this even with his own family member, displaying a loyalty of great proportions to his country. Moral obligation and commitment play an important role in the play.Both Antigone and Creon display unbelivable fortitude when their positions on this are questioned. Creon is willing to rob his son of his bride. His power and kingship, what Creon most values, are questioned as a result of this. Still, Creon stays commited to his punishment for Antigone.

By the conclusion of the play, Creon realizes that his character is flawed. He realizes that his pride and selfishness has doomed him to a life of being punished. He accepts responsibility for the suicides of his wife ,Eurydice, and his son, Haimon. “… by my stubbornness, oh my son, so young, to die so young, and all because of me.

(Sophocles ) Creon learns his lesson; Antigone dies without learning.Though Creon, on the surface, appears to be a heartless politician standing in the way of Antigone’s moral obligation to her brother, the truly is the protagonist in this play. This is eveidenced by his posession of certain qualities. These qualities are loyalty to this country, a strong belief, and a single character flaw which in the end dooms him to a life of punishment. At the end of the play, he understand this about himself. That’s what sets him apart as the main character.

Brooks Fridey Antigone’s Purpose In the story of Antigone, originally written by Sophocles, explains the story, of a woman who stands up for her own beliefs against the king. At the time of Sophocles, women had little power and authority. They were expected to listen to their husband, king, or any man that speaks to or asks a woman of something. The story starts up where the story of Oedipus ends, in his death.

Trouble and war are about to begin in Thebes, so Antigone travels there to try and stop what may become of her family and country.From my observations, this story can be analyzed in multiple ways, whether it is about the struggles of women, defying the higher power, or responding to the will of the gods. It is said that the royal family of Thebes is cursed to endure suffering, pain, death and loss. Antigone is aware of her family’s fate, but is ready to change her possible destiny for herself and her family. In Thebes, the members of the royal family are either killing themselves or are being murdered. Antigone is torn by this and decides she must go to Thebes to fix this.She got word that her brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, were going to fight each other until one was dead.

She tried to be there before any fight happened, but was too late, and found out from her sister, that bother brothers were killed during the fight. The king ordered that Eteocles deserved a proper burial, but Polyneices was to not be touched and would not get a burial underground. Antigone asked her sister, Ismene, to help her bury their brother properly, but she refused. It was ordered that anyone who touches the body will be arrested and shall be punished by death.Ismene told Antigone that she cannot bring herself to do it. She feels that her family’s consistently terrible luck and the fact that she’s a woman are quite inhibiting. Antigone was ready to stand up for the women who would not defy men’s authority.

She was fine with doing what she needed to herself. Ismene, who is trapped under the influence and power of man, tries to beg Antigone she will be making a mistake and will suffer great consequences. Stating, “It is a losing battle, fighting Man” (Sophocles). It is obvious throughout the story, that nothing will prevent or slow Antigone from what she is going to do.Not man, nor power, or laws is enough to change her mind. Creon’s reasoning as to why Eteocles gets a burial service and Polyneices is to be left out for the birds, is to him, justified that Eteocles died honorably defending the city, while Polyneices was just a dishonorable exile. This was no real justification to Antigone, and she was going to take matters into her own hands, defying the king.

It was soon discovered that Polyneices’ body had been ritually prepared for a burial, so the messenger relayed the news to the king. He ordered that the messenger find who is responsible for this or he will die if he fails.As what seemed, intended the sentry soon found Antigone trying to bury her brother. She was arrested, and taken to Creon. Antigone does not deny her crime, she tells Creon her actions were for justice and obedience to the gods. With all of Antigone’s stubbornness, she continues to still disrespect the king even after she has been caught. She will not give in to the king, disagreeing with any justification he promotes.

Creon attempts to shame her for her actions, but this has no real effect on her due to a large amount of pride dignity she has left for herself.Creon feels it is particularly important not to be beaten by a person of the female persuasion. The battle of opposite effect continues with Antigone and Ismene, as she is brought into question as well from a hunch the king has that Ismene is also involved in this crime. She immediately pleads guilty to the accusations, saying she aided in the burial of Polyneices. Antigone is enraged that she would plead guilty to something she had not done, but Ismene confronts the fact she will not be able to go on without Antigone alive.It is expressed throughout the story, the importance of obeying the gods. To Antigone, it is not necessary that someone should obey their leader at all times.

She believes what Creon declared to happen to her brothers was unfair and that the gods were telling her she needed to bury her brother. Antigone was unapproved to the treatment of women in these times, and that the king must be obeyed in all causes. She believed the gods were the true powers, and bad things would come upon you if you did not cooperate with their requests.When Haemon comes into the story, acknowledged as Antigone’s fiancee, who is the son of Creon, makes it clear why Antigone was even still alive. Although Creon was cruel and often harsh, there was still something or someone holding him back from simply killing her. Haemon told his father it would be wrong to kill Antigone and would bring great mourning to the people of Thebes following her death. He wants Creon to be open to others views, but Creon responds by calling Haemon a woman’s slave for backing up a woman and not his own father.

A blind prophet advises Creon that he should properly bury Polyneices and release Antigone. He says if he does not he will greatly anger the gods, and might create his own misfortune for his disobedience. Possibly leading to his own death. As Creon ponders his possibilities and future, he finally decides to release Antigone and bury Polyneices. As he thought he was then making the right decision, he would soon find out what his choice will cause. Antigone knew she didn’t want to keep living in this world of mistreatment and cruelty, and was willing to end her life.Creon did not think she would actually go through anything like suicide, but upon her release, she quickly hung herself and gave herself to the gods.

Haemon found out what happened, and enraged, attacked his father, and missed leading to Haemon striking himself with the sword and killing himself. As if the story for Creon could be any more devastating, instantly regretting his choice, is told by a messenger that his wife enrages by Creon’s actions, as well, and killed herself. Creon is left with nothing and no one close to him in his life, and wonders what to do now.This is a story that depicts the power of anyone, especially women. With enough determination and manipulation, anything is possible. Antigone was dealt with an accumulation of anger towards her genders rights, the abuse of power, and being righteous enough to still follow her gods. She is seen as one of the first feminists in this time, and although may have gone to an extreme to defend her honor, clearly made a point to Creon, leaving him with nothing, what neglect of someone’s abilities are and abusing one’s power can do.