Talking Tragedy
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Antigone, the "sequel" piece to Oedipus Rex, is obviously a tragedy. It is about the new ruler, Creon, and his struggle to do what is right in face of the law, his beliefs, prophecy, and family ties. He truly struggles with the responsibility that falls on his shoulders. The tragedy of this piece falls in all of the senseless deaths that occur throughout its course. Antigone hung herself, Haimon killed himself when faced with the dead body of his fiance, and Eurydice also committed suicide when she heard the news that her son had perished. This is tragic because Creon was on his way to make amends with Antigone and bring her back home after having already blessed and buried her fallen brother's body when he is faced with her suicide and then promptly after his own son's tragic end. This is super tragic because, from a reader's standpoint, it truly seemed as if maybe all could end well, that everything would work itself out for once. This once again is a play on that crucial possibility of success that makes all tragedies actually tragic. Here is a website about tragedies. Even though Creon had been rather horrible throughout the drama, in the end reader's do feel at least a little bit bad for him. He feels like he is responsible for the suicides of his wife and his son, which is a burden that absolutely no one should have to face. The ending of this play leaves the readers feeling a little hollow inside, which is how you know that it had been an effective tragedy. The fact that we feel strong sad emotions aimed toward the play's antagonist is truly an effect of a well done tragedy- unfortunate events touch us all.
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