Antigonev.s. Chiveric codes

Even though Anitgone is a woman, but she indeed has all the characteristics that are included in the chivalric code. In the play Antigone, Antigone demonstrates her courage, loyalty and honor, also shown as a strong feminist, even in that ancient time. In the play, Antigone does what she believes in. She disobeys the new law that Creon has established, instead she buried her brother. By believing what is the right thing to do, and not fear facing her own death, she shows courageous. In order to give her brother a proper burial, she literally gives up her life, which is an example of loyalty also. Although, she is punished by Creon, and been sentenced to death, but Antigone never even had a glimpse of thought that she did something wrong. Even till her last moment, she still believes what she did was right and died with honor. Compare to any other Round Table Knights, Antigone proves herself with all the qualities within a great knight. However, how the knights show their qualities is different from how Antigone shows it. She never had a chance to gone to a war and cutting down others heads, but by sacrificing herself to her believes is also another way to prove that she's got the qualities.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST- the different point of views

Either as myths or legends, the story of King Arthur has been passed down since Middle Age. In the different versions of King Arthur, each author had a different point of view from the others. For example, in LeMorte d'Arthur -The Crowning of Arthur, one version of the legend of King Arthur, is mainly about Uther Pendragon. In contrast, in The Mists of Avalon - Morgan Le Fay, it is focus on Morgraine's perspective, instead of the male characters. Through different perspectives from varied characters, it gives us a more copmlete understanding about the story. As female reader, I particularlly like the Morgan Le Fay one, because from a female character's point of view to view the same story seems more interesting. When the arthor is using the famale's perspective, it also brings out women's positions in the story. Since women are the leading characters in this writing, men has become less important. Therefore, there are lesser dramatic and heroic scene on battles or killing, instead, there are more emotions and feelings from one character to another. On the other hand, in LeMorte d'Arthur -The Crowning of Arthur, Igraine was protrayed as a woman, the woman who has all the sterotyped traits. Ironically, Uther Pendragon was protrayed as a brave worrior, who fights for his love and such a positive image, whereas in Morgan Le Fay he is more likely to be protrayed as a bad man with werid beard and hair who steals Morgraine's mother. However, both of the stroies tell the same plot, just in different ways and details.

SUICIDE

Suicide is the stupidest way to end one’s life, and also is the most irresponsible way to escape from reality. Most people think that suicide could cure the problem that they are facing, but this thought actually contradicts with the real fact. According to most people who have experienced with suicide in their family, they said, “Suicide actually creates more problems”. Indeed, that is true; suicide also creates trouble for the police too. However, seems like the characters in the play Antigone do not realized that. In the play, three out of five main characters have committed suicide. They all have different reasons to kill themselves, but the cause is the same – Creon’s stubbornness. Also, they died with diverse attitude too: Antigone die with pride, because she never thinks that she’s done something wrong. Antigone left a sad saying before she died, she said:” You will remember what things I suffer, and at what men’s hands, because I would not transgress the laws of heaven” (Antigone Scene 4. 78-80). Haemon died with grief, because of his beloved wife is sentenced to death by his father. Hasmon even threatened his father with the consequence if Creon insists on killing Antigone, he said: “Antigone’s death will cause another” (Antigone Scene 3. 119). Eurydise died with sorrow, because of his son’s suicide. Through those three suicide incidents, they created more problems for King Creon.

TOTAL POWER

In ancient times, there are few Kings who actually understood Democracy. Instead, most of the Kings are obsessed with total power, which the King decided everything. Unfortunately, the Greeks happened to be a lot more democratic than other countries, where total power is in a weak position to the citizens. In the play Antigone, King Creon is being described with that characteristic. He changed the laws for his country, which contradict with the God’s, and it irritated Antigone. In Ceron’s laws, he stated that no one is allowed to give Antigone’s brother a burial. Creon said: "Polyneices, I say, is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like"(Antigone Scene 1. 39-42). Regardless of the new law, Antigone did what she thinks is right. She risked her life to burry her brother and did not think at all that she is wrong. To Creon, he is mad and also afraid of Antigone; mad because of her behavior and scared because of her courage. As a result, he decided to kill her. Creon said: “...take her to the vault and leave her alone there. and of she lives or dies, that's her affair, not ours: our hands are clean”(Antigone Scene 4. 55-57). Due to Creon‘s pride and arrogance, he doesn’t’ care that has he offended the Gods or not. Obviously, for Antigone, he did. What Creon has become when he was at the king’s throne, was the biggest fear of all commoners. The Thebes citizens wanted democracy, and not being controlled by one. Eventually, at the end of the play, Creon has realized what he had done to his family, and suffered from the consequences.

MOVIES AND PLAYS

There are so many different ways to perform an act, and of course there are preferences too. As for me, I prefer plays more than movies, and reasons varied. Firstly, in plays there are more chance to interact with the actors yourself, since there are no "screens", as in movies. Also, in plays, there are no cameras, therefore, the audiences could capture every characters' reactions or even little mistakes. Unlike movies, the directors cut off every undesired part of the acting, which actually provides more laughters from the audiences. However, i do strongly suggest that plays' theaters should put up subtitle, because sure it would be a lot easier for audiences to understand the plot.

what i think of Shakespeare

I think Shakespeare is a great writer who wrote hundreds and thousands of plays and poems. Even though Shakespearean language brings a lot of frustrations to the students who have learned and are learning it, but this kind of language does have an more in depth meanings than modern language. Compare to nowadays language, Shakespeare's writings include more emotions and drama. Although, some are way too cheesy, but plays plays like, Romeo and Juliet , and Julius Caesar, could still being passed down generations through generations.