Antigone and Bacchae the Tragedies Term Paper

It was an open protest based of selfishness and arrogance and it had no rational explanation. Pentheus is punished by death and dies from the hands of his mother who thought he was a wild beats. Such death is very symbolic as it outlines that the will of god is higher than love of mother to son and god's punishment has no mercy to sinners: "What is wisdom? Or what fairer gift from the gods in men's eyes than to hold the hand of power over the head of one's enemies? And 'what is fair is always followed"(Euripides, The Bacchae)

In the tragedy of Sophocles Antigone, another opposite case is presented as Antigone the niece of the king Creon demonstrates the actions which are worth admiration and respect. She neglects the order of the new king and buries her brother according to Greek customs. This deed is very symbolic as she demonstrates respect to her brother and to the will of gods. Antigone is arrested by the guardians of the king Creon and is sentenced to death in jail. But she is confident in her innocence and is faithful to her ideals:

didn't say yes. I can say no to anything I say vile, and I don't have to count the cost. But because you said yes, all that you can do, for all your crown and your trappings, and your guards -- all that your can do is to have me killed." (Sophocles, Antigone)

As she is unwilling to accept such a shameful penalty she commits suicide:

My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards -- but I am a queen!" (Sophocles, Antigone)

Even though that Antigone dies we observe the triumph of justice and virtues as the king is punished: as Haemon, the son of Creon follows the example of Antigone. It is a triumph over cruelty of the king and the triumph of justice.

The death of Antigone and the death of Pentheus are very symbolic as both of them represent the triumph of gods laws (morality and ethics) over the vices and evils of humans. Justice committed by gods is the victory of moral ideals over human arogance and cruelty, as Euripides writes:"Slow but sure moves the might of gods" (Euripides, The Bacchae)

References

Euripides, The Bacchae

Sophocles, Antigone.....