Journal Entry 3 Medea/Oedipus Catharsis, Antigone

In Medea and Oedipus, both of them have similar forms of tragedy within them, such as a high character, an implied moral order, fate, and catharsis. For starters, both stories have a central, tragic protagonist that is risen to great hieghts before being torn down. Oedipus was king of Thebes, and then was cast out as a beggar. Medea was a too be queen, and then became a murderer and wanderer. Both of the stories have implied morals too. Oedipus just wanted to try to help his people as much as possible, while in Medea, it was wrong for Medea to kill her sons just to torture Jason. Both also have their ties in fate. Oedipus was tied into his fate since the Oracle at Delphi proclaimed his prophecy, and Oedipus ultiamtely fulfilled it due to his own actions. Medea had her own fate to kill all who hurt her, and this was influenced by her desire to hurt Jason. Lastly, both have Catharsis. In Oedipus, the audience is purged of greed and arrogance at the sight of Oedipus' downfall. In Medea, the audience is purged of blind rage and revenge, else they err in judgment, and make a decision like Medea to kill her sons and to poison a woman and king.



3 Literary Terms in Antigone

1. Rhyme- "There's noting, no pain-our lives are pain- no privates shame no public disgrace [...]" (Antigone, pg 59, line 5-7). This Rhyme emphasizes the agony of not being able to live life the way that they wish. It also helps to show that Antigone is one wisdom, for to speak in rhyme usually means wisdom.
2. Imagery- "He grappled the Dragon none can master-Thebes- the clang of our arms like thunder at his back" (65:138-139). This quote does 2 things. It tells of how powerful and resiliant Thebes is to be able to resist the Argons. But it also gives a bit of foreshadowing. By saying that Thebes is a dragon no one can master, it could mean that Creon will once more be led to his downfall.
3. Repetition- "Zeus hares with a vengeance all bravado, the mighty boasts of men" (65 140-141). Zeus is often repeated throughout the whole of the book. This means that Zeus could be a chief diety among the people of Thebes. Also, shows foreshadowing again. Creon may get to full of himself, and boast of Thebes. That is when Zeus will strike down Creon, and tragedy will ensue.