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What dramatic purpose does the character of Ismene serve in 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone'?
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∙ 12y ago
A voice to the caution, practicality and reason of the ordinary law-abiding citizen and to the repressed will of the traditionally defined female are the dramatic purposes of the character of Ismene in the plays "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Ismene is shown to have a supporting role within the cast of main characters. She therefore is almost as anonymous as the "man on the street." That she chooses to follow the rules of the here and now as opposed to the those of the later and elsewhere of the afterlife confirms her as the careful, practical, reasonable person who may be seen as just one of the gatekeepers instead of one of the movers and shakers in life. It also establishes her as the female whose presence is controlled and whose voice is not heard in a male-dominated society such as that headed by her uncle, Theban King Creon.
Ismene also serves as a dramatic foil to her sister Antigone. Whereas Antigone is stubborn in her resolve to bury her brother Polyneices regardless of the consequences, Ismene waffles between resolve to obey the letter of the law regardless of her own feelings and swearing to accompany her sister to the grave in guilt for not burying their brother. Her inconsistency highlights Antigone's constancy.
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What is the dramatic purpose of the prologue in the gondrots?
To introduce the conflict and the combatants is the dramatic purpose of the prologue in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, only the Theban sister Princesses Antigone and Ismene interact in the prologue. They meet to discuss the recent edict that denies below ground burials to Thebans who die attacking their hometown. Antigone plans to break the law, bury her brother Polyneices and endure her punishment.
What is the purpose of the prologue in 'Oedipus Rex'?
To introduce the main character and theme is the purpose of the prologue in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the prologue introduces to the audience Theban King Oedipus as the main character. It also introduces the main theme of the pestilence and the hunt for the murderer. Both events show that something is wrong in the city of Thebes and that the play will be spent working that out.
Why can the audience not witness Oedipus' blinding in 'Oedipus Rex' or Antigone's death in 'Antigone'?
That violence cannot be portrayed onstage in ancient Greek theater is the reason why the audience cannot witness Oedipus' blinding or Antigone's death in "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the ancient Greeks had a love-hate relationship with the irrational, or uncontrolled passion. For example, death and violence opened up emotional floodgates. The ancient Greeks sought to direct the audience's reactions along certain channels to make sure that the point being made was made without distractions from that purpose. Including emotional response events was a way to get the audience's attention, but setting it offstage focused the attention on whatever universal truth was being emphasized by the dramatist.
What is the purpose of 'Oedipus Rex' and when does the reversal of the situation occur?
Before I answer this question, what does Oedipus Rex means?
Does Sophocles use dramatic irony to create tension in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Yes, Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) uses dramatic irony to create tension in "Oedipus Rex."Specifically, dramatic irony refers to instances where situations are other than how they are perceived or understood by the characters so affected. The dramatist employs this literary technique in an attempt to increase audience interest. Sophocles achieves his purpose, because audience attention is caught up in ever more dramatically taut and tense interactions between characters whose understanding is incomplete or downright incorrect.
What is the dramatic purpose of the prologue in the gondrots?
To introduce the conflict and the combatants is the dramatic purpose of the prologue in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, only the Theban sister Princesses Antigone and Ismene interact in the prologue. They meet to discuss the recent edict that denies below ground burials to Thebans who die attacking their hometown. Antigone plans to break the law, bury her brother Polyneices and endure her punishment.
What is the purpose of the prologue in 'Oedipus Rex'?
To introduce the main character and theme is the purpose of the prologue in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the prologue introduces to the audience Theban King Oedipus as the main character. It also introduces the main theme of the pestilence and the hunt for the murderer. Both events show that something is wrong in the city of Thebes and that the play will be spent working that out.
Why can the audience not witness Oedipus' blinding in 'Oedipus Rex' or Antigone's death in 'Antigone'?
That violence cannot be portrayed onstage in ancient Greek theater is the reason why the audience cannot witness Oedipus' blinding or Antigone's death in "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the ancient Greeks had a love-hate relationship with the irrational, or uncontrolled passion. For example, death and violence opened up emotional floodgates. The ancient Greeks sought to direct the audience's reactions along certain channels to make sure that the point being made was made without distractions from that purpose. Including emotional response events was a way to get the audience's attention, but setting it offstage focused the attention on whatever universal truth was being emphasized by the dramatist.
What is the purpose of 'Oedipus Rex' and when does the reversal of the situation occur?
Before I answer this question, what does Oedipus Rex means?
Who does Oedipus think framed him?
Oedipus believed that Creon and Teiresias were trying to frame him for the purpose of taking the throne. Oedipus the King was written by Sophocles.
Who does Oedipus think is framing him?
Oedipus initially believes that Creon is framing him for Laius's murder, suspecting Creon of wanting to usurp the throne.
What purpose is served by the use of a dramatic foil?
A dramatic foil is used to highlight the characteristics of another character by providing a contrast in their personalities, beliefs, or behaviors. This helps to deepen the understanding of the main character and adds complexity to the story. It can also create tension and conflict, driving the narrative forward.
What is the purpose for the backstory?
The backstory is the story of what happened to the character before the story began -- it fills in the past and makes the character seem more real to the readers (or audience of a play or movie).
Does Sophocles use dramatic irony to create tension in 'Oedipus Rex'?
Yes, Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) uses dramatic irony to create tension in "Oedipus Rex."Specifically, dramatic irony refers to instances where situations are other than how they are perceived or understood by the characters so affected. The dramatist employs this literary technique in an attempt to increase audience interest. Sophocles achieves his purpose, because audience attention is caught up in ever more dramatically taut and tense interactions between characters whose understanding is incomplete or downright incorrect.
What great philosopher wrote about 'Oedipus Rex' defining the basic rules of drama?
Aristotle (384 B.C.E. - 322 B.C.E.) is the great philosopher who wrote about "Oedipus Rex" defining the basic rules of drama.Specifically, Aristotle defined basic rules by which drama achieved its purpose of entertainment and instruction in ancient Greece. He illustrated his rules by examples from "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.). In particular, Aristotle pinpointed the dramatic irony of every one of Oedipus' avoidance decisions and escapist actions only serving to ensure the realization of a horribly predicted fate.
What is the dramatic purpose of the Sentry in 'Antigone'?
To report on offstage action; thereby help the dramatist respect the unities of time, plot and place in the play; and fine tune the onstage action are the dramatic purposes of the character of the sentry in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the ideal play in ancient Greece presents a problem to be solved in one place within a 24-hour period. The play's action takes place before the main entrance to the royal palace of Thebes on the day after the end of the recent civil war over the royal succession. But it is possible to include relevant, offstage events from other places and times by way of the conversations of the characters and the comments of the chorus. Such eyewitness accounts keep the stage uncluttered, the dramatic tension heightened and the audience informed on a "need to know" basis.
Who is the messenger in Oedipus?
The messenger has no name, but only brings the information from Corinth, Oedipus' childhood home, that Oedipus' adoptive father, Polybus, is dead. Oedipus is happy because he thinks Polybus is his biological father and he didn't kill him so he defied the prophecy. That is the purpose of the messenger.
