The Role of the Fool in King Lear Essay - 2177 Words

Alison Dew Explore the role of the fool in King Lear. In Elizabethan times, the role of a fool, or court jester, was to professionally entertain others, specifically the king. In essence, fools were hired to make mistakes. Fools may have been mentally retarded youths kept for the court’s amusement, or more often they were singing, dancing stand up comedians. In William Shakespeare’s King Lear the fool plays many important roles. When Cordelia, Lear’s only well-intentioned daughter, is banished from the kingdom Fool immediately assumes her role as Lear’s protector. The fool is the king’s advocate, honest and loyal and through his use of irony sarcasm and humour he is able to point out Lear’s faults. Functioning much as a chorus would†¦show more content†¦The fool’s purpose is to make Lear laugh; yet in reality he makes serious remarks on the action and points out to Lear what is happening with his behaviour. Fool is paradoxically wise, typical of the Shakespearian ‘fool†™. The Fool often sounds cruel as he criticizes and speaks to Lear with such irony and sarcasm. Oftentimes, it appears that Fool is kicking a man when he’s down, but as the play progresses, one senses how much the fool loves his king, and just how protective he is of his master. The Fool makes his first appearance in act one scene four where his initial address to Kent clarifies that he sees Kent to be Lear’s ally. Lear, paying Kent says: Lear: Now my friendly knave I thank thee; there’s earnest of thy service. Fool: Let me hire him too, here’s my coxcomb. In this the fool uses his coxcomb as a metonymic device to illustrate Lear’s foolish division of the kingdom and Kent’s idiocy in his will to follow Lear who is now without a kingdom or home. Fool can empathize with the loyalty felt towards Lear, yet Fool holds one power over Kent – his ability to point out the king’s faults. He serves as an unbiased advisor, providing Lear with many lessons that a moreShow MoreRelatedThe Role and Function of the Fool in King Lear2999 Words   |  12 PagesExplore the role and function of ‘The Fool in ‘King Lear The Fool in ‘King Lear is a William Shakespeare creation. Shakespeare has the ability to reveal a human character with an exceptional use of language. He allows us to see more than just words on the paper; were given a multi dimensional insight into a character. Usually his characters arent as straight-forward as black or white, they are invariably more complex. Edmund for example, its easy to present him as the villain but ShakespeareRead More foolear Role of the Fool in William Shakespeares King Lear803 Words   |  4 PagesThe Role of the Fool in William Shakespeares King Lear In the play King Lear, by William Shakespeare, there are many intriguing characters. Perhaps the most intriguing of them all is the fool. The fool seems to exist outside the play appearing and disappearing without warning. The fool is, however, a necessary character to the evolution of Lears character, since he is the personification of truth and reason. The fool serves to show Lear how he is going insane, as well as to attempt to delayRead MoreRole Of A Fool Or Jester During Elizabethan Times1351 Words   |  6 PagesThe role of a fool or jester during Elizabethan times were to entertain everyone at court, especially the King. The fool would sing, dance, make jokes and make a fool of himself. In Shakespeare’s King Lear, the fool has many roles. When Lear banishes Cordelia from his kingdom, the fool in a way takes on Cordelia s role. He is not only a fool, but through his sarcasm and irony, he becomes the king s loyal advocate by pointing out the king’s shortcomings. T he fool is the only one who is able to criticizeRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s King Lear1059 Words   |  5 Pages Overturning Roles in King Lear In King Lear, Traditional roles, such as nobility, gender, and social status, are all usurped or attempted to be overturned during at least one occasion in King Lear. To illustrate, noble roles become overturned when King Lear lessened himself as a king to upgrade two of his daughters, Goneril and Regan, to a higher power of authority. In contrast, he ended up in jail with Cordelia instead of regaining his position back as king. Gender Roles are overturned when theRead More foolear Essay on the Fool in Shakespeares King Lear522 Words   |  3 PagesImportance of the Fool in King Lear       Beginning in the late 17th century, producers of King Lear removed the Fool from productions of King Lear. He did not return until 1838. Producers greatly diminished both King Lear and Lear as a result.    One should notice the importance of the Fool very early in the play. In Scene 4, Lear asks for his Fool twice. The second time is just a few lines after the first. He seems to need his Fool urgently. Yet the Fool has been pining over the lossRead More foolear The Wise Fool in Shakespeares King Lear Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesThe Wise Fool in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚   Whether or not the role of the Fool is an important one within King Lear is arguable. Although he seems to have great insight into much of the plays main events, he seems not to have any real influence on both the plot as well as the outcome of the play. He remains the sole character who does not have any direct link with the events of the plot, coupled with an unusually early exit; this raises the question of his significance. However at the very leastRead MoreEssay foolear Importance of the Fool in Shakespeares King Lear1195 Words   |  5 PagesImportance of the Fool in King Lear    William Shakespeares genius came from how closely he intertwined the two seemingly mutually exclusive realms to appeal to all socio-economic groups in his audience. The character of the Fool provides the closest intercourse of the two realms between King Lears royalty and Poor Toms poverty, while still maintaining their separation. The Fools role in King Lear was to counteract the Kings follies in order to bring him to his senses. With his honestyRead MoreKing Lear, by Shakespeare Essay994 Words   |  4 Pageskill you makes you stronger,† and Shakespeare himself seems to agree with this old adage. In his tragedy King Lear he has many of his main characters go through an experience that takes them far out of their comfort zone to change them for the better. Throughout King Lear Shakespeare shows that man cannot be morally strong without over coming suffering. At the beginning of the play King Lear is an old, foolish man. He is blind to the traitors all around him. Although he physically can see, he isRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s A Midsummer Night s Dream And Fool1401 Words   |  6 PagesThe Shakespearean fool is a recurring character type in the works of William Shakespeare. While their individual personalities and functions differ from play to play, the reoccurrence of the Shakespearean fool suggests that fools serve as an important institution of the Shakespearean stage. But what is the role of the Shakespeare’s fools in his works? And how do particular characteristics about these fools help them achieve this purpose? Through an in-depth analysis of Shakespeare’s arguably twoRead MoreEssay on Lears Character in William Shakespeares Play1216 Words   |  5 PagesLears Character in William Shakespeares Play The view of Lear being bent on his own destruction from the beginning of the play is an acceptable claim. The way he begins in the play, dividing up his country for his daughters, in essence, this spelt disaster. Unlike other renaissance dramatists, who used ‘mad scenes’ for comic use, Shakespeare seems intent on

The Man I Killed by OBrien Free Essay Example, 1500 words

What makes an individual believe that these happening truths are accurate is due to the repetition is done in the chapter that indicates the accuracy of the incidence. They are the emphasis of the shocking reactions by O Brien. For instance, the manner in which he describes the eyes of the dead soldier just indicates the accuracy of the happening truth in the story. He says that the victim s one eye was shut and the other had a star-shaped hole, where the continuous repetition of the incidence indicates the hard moments that O Brien was going through in his attempts to visualize the man he had just killed. Another element of happening truth being accurate in this story is where Kiowa is trying to make the emphasis to O Brien that the man he had killed was still meant to die, but he does not give any response (O Brien). Kiowa in the chapter goes on to make continuous comments on the incidence and that O Brien should not feel bad that he had killed but he does not give back any commen t. This whole incidence displays an accurate true happening and thus, brings the feeling of sympathy to a reader, as one could feel the shock and the unbelief O Brien had towards what he had done on taking another person's life. We will write a custom essay sample on The Man I Killed by OBrien or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page The aspects of justice and beauty tend to lose their meaning and horror thrills. Disgust enthralls and the levels of consciousness, the walls that have been raised to contain realism are obliterated. O Brien says that a true story of war is not possible to tell. He says that telling a true war story is the assessment of a compound link between a storytelling and an experience of war (O Brien). Among the characteristics of a true story as said by O Brien is that a war story sounds to be too true when the story is so crazy for an individual to believe it.

I. Introduction. In The State Of Texas, If You Receive

I. Introduction In the state of Texas, if you receive payment for a quarter ounce or less of marijuana, it is considered a ‘Class A’ misdemeanor (Health and Safety Code, 2015, Sec. 481.120.). However, if you deliver a quarter ounce or less of marijuana and do not receive payment, it is a ‘Class B’ misdemeanor (Health and Safety Code, 2015, Sec. 481.120.). It is a state jail felony if you deliver and receive payment for more than a quarter ounce but less than five pounds. If the amount exceeds five pounds, but less than fifty pounds, you will be charged with a second degree felony (Health and Safety Code, 2015, Sec. 481.120.). The charges move up to a first degree felony if you deliver more than fifty pounds, but less than 2,000 pounds, of†¦show more content†¦(2015). Sec. 481.201). In June of 2015, the â€Å"Compassionate-Use Act† was passed to allow patients low prescriptions of THC to help alleviate seizures and other painful symptoms. To do this, the doct or must have proven that he prescribed two separate non-THC treatments and both proved ineffective of alleviating the patient’s systems (Health and Safety Code, 2015, S.B. 339). II. Rationale and Intent for Texas’ Policy Back in the 1900’s when there was a large immigration influx of Mexicans into the U.S., citizens not only saw there was an influx of their customs. This included the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes (Burnett and Reiman, 2014). What most Americans didn’t realize is that it is the same as what they knew as cannabis, which had been used in many medicines for years and was found in may American households. The U.S. had been known to control immigrants by having an excuse to search and deport certain races by outlawing the use of their traditional medicinal drugs, like had been done with Chinese immigrants and the use of opium in San Francisco (Burnett and Reiman, 2014). Texas adopted this way of thought by using marijuana to control Mexican immigrants. Claims were made that marijuana was able to â€Å"cause men of color to become violent and solicit sex from white women† (Burnett and Reiman, 2014). From accusation like this, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 came into being andShow MoreRelatedThe Texas Railroad Commission And The American Economy Essay1421 Words   |  6 PagesThe Texas Railroad Commission What does one think about when they hear the words Texas Railroad Commission? Many things may come to mind but it’s really only two things and those are natural gas and oil. Which happened to be one of Texas biggest assets year round. It is one of the largest bodies in all of the country which gives it such a large influence on the supply and prices of oil in the country. When the commission first came about its original purpose was to oversee the railroads. WhenRead MoreRoe Vs. Wade Case1123 Words   |  5 Pagespurpose of this essay is inform you about the Roe vs Wade court case Introduction Have you ever wonder why someone else could decide if you could have an abortion and when you could have one? Why is there an abortion law? This is why I will be talking about a certain court case. What is abortion? According to merriam-webster abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. In order for you to get a better understandingRead MoreEssay on Geography of Dallas1554 Words   |  7 PagesDallas, Texas â€Å"Everything’s bigger in Texas,† a widely known saying, may very well be true when it comes to the size of the state, but is everything in Texas really bigger? Researching the Lone Star state, the second largest state in the nation, Dallas seemed to be the largest city as well as the center of it all; and it also could be used as a good representation of the state’s overall average climate. The Dallas â€Å"metroplex is located in North Central Texas, approximately 250 miles northRead MoreIn Today’S Society, It Is Important To Recognize That Every1230 Words   |  5 PagesUnited States, and covering in America. When discussing cultures of the world, is important to note that each culture is different from the next, in many different ways. While a gesture can be perceived as friendly in one culture, it could be perceived as rude or derogatory in another. After viewing the video, many different actions stood out to me. For example, the thumbs up meaning â€Å"Up Yours† in Iran and places in the Middle East is a very different way to perceive it than in the United States, usuallyRead MoreShould College Athletes Be Paid?1239 Words   |  5 Pagespracticing and performing, the number of injuries the players face, and the persona these athletes must portray every day all the while watching their schools, coaches, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) get all the compensation. Introduction: It is a Saturday afternoon in the fall, and every family from the South knows what that means. College football. It comes as naturally as breathing for some families, with generations partaking in the tailgating tradition before their belovedRead MoreWhy Community Is A Community And Who Are Its Key Players?1660 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction We hear the word â€Å"Community† throughout life from secondary to post secondary education. We didn’t think that community can be defined in such a broad term. In this Community Immersion assignment, I was able to expand my knowledge of â€Å"What is a community and who are its key players?† Netting, Kettner, McMurtry and Thomas (2008) states that communities refer to â€Å"space, people, interaction and shared identity† (p. 132); it is not just focused on your geographical place. Warren expressedRead MoreThe Ultimate Exploitation1179 Words   |  5 Pagesschool far exceeds the money they are given in scholarships. College football is a multi-billion dollar industry in which the sole generator of its profits are not paid. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) states â€Å"You are not eligible for participation in a sport if you have ever taken pay, or the promise of pay, for competing in that sport† (â€Å"Remaining Eligible: Amateurism† 2). The athletes are sacrificing their time and bodies for their school’s division one football team. 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According to USA Today, Stephen Paddock took to streets of the Nevada city on the first of October and opened fire, killing 58 people and leaving 489 fatally injured (GomezRead MoreHow Tornadoes Are Important?1714 Words   |  7 PagesTornadoes Saginaw Valley State University Geography 101 Robert Tarpley November 9, 2014 INTRODUCTION Tornadoes are an extremely important topic in today’s society, because they can occur anywhere at any time and be extremely dangerous. The purpose of this paper is to inform people on the importance and demographics of tornadoes. While doing research I discovered that a tornado is a narrow, rotating column of air which rotates violently and extends from the bottom of a thunderstorm to

The Teenage Epidemic Of Texas - 756 Words

The ongoing teenage epidemic afflicting Texas is comprised of two separate yet interconnected movements: a 20-year period of high rates of pregnancy involving teenagers, and a more recent surge in limiting reproductive health care access through state legislative actions over the past 5 years. Texas has the third highest number of unplanned pregnancies in the United States. Most of these unintended pregnancies are greatly concentrated among unmarried teenagers from low socioeconomic areas. In 2014, there were 35,000 teen pregnancies in Texas for a rate of 73 per a thousand women ages 15-19. In an effort to combat the epidemic, State Representative Mary Gonzà ¡lez (D) recently introduced to the Texas State Legislature during its 84th session House Bill 90. This bill aims to expand eligibility for assistance under the Texas Women s Health Program, including access to reproductive services and protective health services, to females ages 15 years and older. Public programs—part icularly Medicaid and the Title X federally funded family planning program both of which are used to fund Texas Women’s Health Program system—are essential to women s access to inexpensive contraceptive services and supplies and their capability to use contraceptives successfully. Unfortunately for teenagers, HB 90 did not receive a hearing for the future, leaving it in an indefinite state of stagnation. More of an effort is needed from Texas to combat these high teen pregnancy rates; we need familyShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay On Teen Pregnancy1401 Words   |  6 PagesAlthough, some form of government has been around since the beginning of time, today’s government is trying to play an active role in this epidemic, without being overbearing. The Republicans, however, are proposing a plan in which, will makes the situation worse. As Silverman has pointed out â€Å"President Donald Trump slashed $213 million in funding for teenage pregnancy prevention progr ams (Silverman 1). This was a terrible idea because Planned Parenthood promotes safe sex, give free pregnancy testsRead MoreEssay about Teen Suicide916 Words   |  4 Pagessuicide analysts believe that these were not accidents at all, but were in fact suicides and wrongly categorized. If these truly are suicides, then suicide would be the number one killer today in all teenagers (Nelson 22). Suicide is an increasing epidemic in teenagers because of the emotional effects, physical effects, and social effects. Suicidal people are almost always full of conflicting emotions. Not all suicidal people really want to kill themselves (Schleifer 21). To some, suicide seemsRead MoreCauses of Homophobic Bullying1551 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Joel Burns is a city councilman from Fort Worth, Texas. During an otherwise ordinary city council meeting, Burns took the opportunity to raise an issue that has been tormenting kids and adults around the world: bullying. Yet Burns is not referring to any bullying. What Burns addresses in his speech, called It Gets Better, is bullying people who are gay, lesbian, or just different, (Joel Burns Tells Gay Teens It Gets Better.). The speech was powerful enough, and with just enough personalRead MoreSeveral Cases of Violence Against Children1030 Words   |  5 Pagesthings I see today which can lead to child abuse. First of all, we have an epidemic of babies having babies. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2012) babies born t o teenagers are at risk for neglect and abuse because their young mothers are uncertain about their roles, and may be frustrated by the constant demands of caretaking. They also contend that babies born in the U.S. to teenage mothers are at risk for long-term problems in many major areas of life, includingRead MoreHpv Controversy1684 Words   |  7 PagesControversy† The recent news of a vaccine that could prevent a large percent of cancer deaths in the United States alone would generally be considered a reason to celebrate. However, the current attempts of many states, including the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, to pass an ordinance making it mandatory for preteen girls to have the Gardasil vaccine to protect them from some of the forms of cervical cancer caused by HPV has met a great deal of opposition. The objections to this legislation gettingRead MoreObesity Is The Most Common Pediatric Chronic Disease Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagesabout(Lisa). Binge eating is the consumption of large quantities of food in a short period of time, typically as part of an eating disorder (Megan). With the minimal excise time and binge eating , these can lead to major health concerns within the teenage community(Alexander). There are many health issues children can face if she or he is overweight or obese, the most common being is type II diabetes(George). People tend to think that when people refer to type 11 diabetes they tend to think thatRead MoreTeen Drug Overdose And Suicide2856 Words   |  12 Pages The city of Plano, Texas, recently earned a spot at the top of Forbes‘s list of â€Å"safest places† to live in the United States. Its early efforts at chasing the top prize, however, were part of a cocktail of ignorance and poor judgment that had deadly consequences for Plano’s teenagers. Plano only earned its long-sought distinction after overcoming the fallout from highly publicized episodes of teen drug overdose and suicide in the 1980s and 90s. During the 1990s, scientists at the National InstituteRead MoreI Am The Mother Of A Gay Son922 Words   |  4 Pagesbisexual, transgender, intersex or queer. I did, however, hear the word â€Å"poofter† used derogatorily to describe gay men and the word â€Å"lesbo† to describe a lesbian. Sexual orientation was never anything that was talked about openly until the AIDS epidemic hit, and then discrimination against gay men, in particular, was at its worst. Every television news report and newspaper artic le reported on the â€Å"fact† that gay men were spreading AIDS. It was all such fear-mongering. Homosexuality was decriminalizedRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Growing Epidemic1969 Words   |  8 PagesHIV/AIDS in the South: A Growing Epidemic Sociology Group 5 Baptist College of Health Sciences Abstract HIV/AIDS has affected individuals from various walks of life all over the country but over the past decade this disease his greatly impacted the southern region of the United States. Over the years studies have been conducted to determine the contributing factors for this increase of HIV/AIDS rates in the South. Research findings have produced similar conclusions such as high ratesRead MoreThe Epidemiology Triangle and Its Fundamentals in Examining Teenage Pregnancy2112 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction This work will use epidemiology triangle and its fundamentals in examining teenage pregnancy. This issue remains the only preventable problem in most countries because it is not a disease and none transmittable. However, it is a major problem affecting the younger generation. There is a major controversy in defining epidemiology, and most people misinterpret the definition. Research carried out indicates that most people have a negative perception on epidemiology. Some people consider

Knowledge of ADR regulations, policies, theories Free Essays

As a NTEU Union Representative, a significant amount of training time was spent learning and developing core skills in the ADR process. In addition to theoretical and classroom learning, a great deal of emphasis was placed on the practical application of such skills as these skills were utilized in the facilitation of the formal and informal grievance process applied through the traditional union/employee and labor management relationship process of dispute resolution. A great deal of skill regarding the ability to understand and implement ADR policies center on an understanding of personnel policies and cultures, an aspect Union Reps are well versed. We will write a custom essay sample on Knowledge of ADR regulations, policies, theories or any similar topic only for you Order Now Furthermore, I have developed a highly specialized working knowledge of ADR policies through my exposure to management and organizational practices on a daily basis. Knowledge of EEO and personnel laws, regulations, policies, and methods as they relate to the Federal sector. In my current position as a federal employee, I have received a significant amount of training in areas related to the understanding and facilitation of EEO processes and procedures. Furthermore, as a Union Representative, I was awarded the opportunity to serve as a representative for bargaining unit employees who were directly involved in the EEO complaint/grievance process. Specifically, training received in the avenue of EEO policies included items related to specific state and federal laws as well as policies directly related to the application of EEO laws in the federal sector of employment. From both training and practical experience, I have developed a solid familiarity with the need to stay current in terms of having a working knowledge of applicable EEO laws and regulations. A great deal of the EEO concepts that I have been exposed to include the conceptsrelated to the proper planning, development and implementation Equal Opportunity  related goals and objectives. In doing this, standards and ethics in the work place were  provided with recommendations regards to modifying administration policies in order to  create a more cohesive work environment for all individuals.  Skill and experience in a wide range of conflict management and dispute resolution  processes, such as facilitation and mediation. From the significant experience I have developed as both a bargaining unit employee and as a union representative, I have developed skills and experience in the three prime areas of conflict management: examination, response and negotiation. Examination refers to being exposed to conflict management/dispute resolution procedures; response refers to the multitude of different approaches that can be undertaken in order to facilitate ADR conflicts such as mediation; and can also include adjudicative aspects such as litigation as well; and negotiation refers to the fundamental talent required for all successful ADR ventures as the art and science of strategizing the successful negotiation of a resolution is the true epicenter of success in the ADR process. Skill and experience in ADR training, marketing, and evaluation of ADR programs. From my tenure in federal service, I have developed solid, fundamental working knowledge in the method and means in which federal and private agencies develop and implement dispute resolution procedures in the workplace. Much of this working knowledge derives from day to day practical, experience in conjunction with theoretical study of ADR concepts and ideologies. A high-level of written and oral communication skills in order to present complex and interrelated concepts and information and to secure the participation of others in the ADR process. My knowledge of business communications and ADR related oral and written communication is on a highly professional level. As such, my ability to present clear and concise information is impeccable and this statement is backed up by many years of on the job related experience that included a great deal of communication with colleagues and supervisors. Experience in these areas of communication were developed through a variety of professional duties including the creation and development of written (corrective) action plans as well as all duties related to the   monitoring of the grantees’ implementation of such plans. Also, providing reports and â€Å"ad hoc† guidance to contractors associated with the federal agency remained a significant daily duty and aided in the development of communicative skills. Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing workload and other assignments. Without having developed strong organization skills, the ability to perform the duties and functions of my federal service position would be impossible. As such, I have developed skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing workload as evidenced by the highly specialized duties I performed when serving on a team that’s primary function involved preparing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance packages. Additional areas of experience that demonstrate a commitment to organizational skills include duties involving sharing programmatic information regarding state-supported systems of care for person with substance use disorders; as well as my tenure as a Public Health Advisor Trainee, where my responsibilities included providing assistance to initiate and monitor the status and execution of how State technical assistance request are carried out as well as the requisite interfacing with other members of staff in order to properly facilitate such assistance.                                                                                                                                        How to cite Knowledge of ADR regulations, policies, theories, Essay examples

on Oedipus Jocasta Creon and Antigone Essay Example For Students

on Oedipus Jocasta Creon and Antigone Essay Essay on Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon, and AntigoneAccording to ancient Greeks the state of human beings was always in constant tragedy. This is due to the continuous control that the Gods exerted on all human beings. The Gods determined their fate and if humans tried to change their destiny and thus their character they were punished. The Gods required justice and never let someone go unpunished. Sophocles wrote two plays that described these ideas. The characters in these plays, Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon, and Antigone were bound to the Gods, and trapped between various moral obligations. A question that was deeply present in Greek conscience was that everyone needed to know their place in the universe as a human being. Oedipus was on a continual search throughout King Oedipus for his identity. The use of oracles in the play depict the importance of the Gods role in the Theban society. Greeks depended on them for guidance and answers to problems. Oedipus as the king of Thebes was morally o bligated to his subjects to find the killer of Laius who is the source of the vile plague and promises that he will save the city just as he did when he solved the riddle of the Sphinx. After sending Creon to the oracle at Delphi and speaking to Teiresias he believes that they are both planning to dethrone Oedipus. In the interaction between Teiresias and Creon you can see Oedipus tragic flaw which is his pride. Oedipus taunts Teiresias when he says that he is the killer of the previous king. Oedipus refers to his track record and shows Teiresias if he was any good at prophesizing that he would have solved the riddle himself. He holds himself as this overconfident and superior being because he possesses an intelligence that surpasses everyone in Thebes. He also accuses Creon of wanting to be king and using the prophet as his pawn. His pride also made him kill the king and all but one of his guards. This makes his pride a tragic flaw because it made him save the city, but allowed him to kill his father and guards with indifference. His pride led to his greatness and his downfall. Oedipus also angers the Gods. At the oracle of Apollo he wanted to find if Polybus was really his father, but instead gets a horrific prediction that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He tries to use his free will to flee Corinth and his parents, but indeed he makes the prediction come true. Oedipus should have known that by trying to change his fate he irritates the Gods and is punished by finding the truth out in a cruel way and making his fate come true anyway. He also did not listen to Teiresias who he knows is the nearest mortal to Apollo. This would mean that he disregarded a message from Apollo and therefore has a disbelief in Gods. You can see that his moral predicament was a search of Laius murderer which in fact led him to find his own origins by revealing an undeniable fact that he killed his father and married his mother. No one could escape their fate because it was predestined by the Gods. Jocasta can be seen as a disbeliever of the Gods and their oracles. The moral dilemma that Jocasta faced was to prevent a prophecy from coming true and to test Oedipus faith. Jocasta tried to avoid the prophecy from coming true by sending her son to be exposed on a mountain to be killed. By doing this and pinning her sons feet together she tried to defeat the Gods which highly angered them. Jocasta planted doubts after hearing that Oedipus and Creons argument was due to an oracle. She says they are nonsense because she was given a prophecy that Laius would be killed by the son and marry his mother. She believed that Laius was killed by robbers and that the baby died on the mountain. Since this did not come true she believed that they were incorrect. Also when the messenger comes to tell of Polybus death, Jocasta again says that his propecy was also a lie. She is implying that since that oracles were wrong that the Gods were also false. .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 , .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .postImageUrl , .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 , .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:hover , .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:visited , .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:active { border:0!important; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:active , .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51 .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7f13fd7f1ba58cdbd031cf49a8131b51:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Night Essay SummaryJocastas punishment can be seen as a test. She was to test the beliefs of the child she had sent to die. By planting doubts of the Gods in Oedipus mind the gods can test his faith and his power. He failed the test and perpetuated a disbelief in the Gods. This depicts the way the Gods had a hand in everyones life. By disobeying them by avoidance of their dealings the punishment is to be forced to conspire against the people you love. This can be seen in the character of Jocasta in King Oedipus. Antigone seems like a martyr who held her holy principles higher than the states principles. At times she assumes to be an anxious martyr who knows the consequences of her actions. In the end she dies because she believed what she was doing was indeed correct. Antigone knowingly breaks an edict sent forth by Creon. She holds that she will never have a new brother because she does not have her parents. Her faith in family in unwavering. It did not matter to her that Polynices may have been a traitor to Thebes, but he was her flesh and blood. She also was more loyal to the Gods than to Creon. Creon was only a ruler and she believed that it was wrong to not perform the proper burial rites. The Gods regarded that every human being deserves the right to a proper burial. She knows that Creon is a mere mortal who is breaking the laws of the Gods. Antigone can be seen as a holy woman who takes the Gods laws seriously. Antigones moral predicament concerned her obligation to her brother and thus the Gods for a proper burial and to the king of Thebes who was also her uncle. She had to decide between the consequence of death if she disobeyed Creons law or to her holy duty to bury her brother and follow the Gods laws. I believe that she did the right and courageous thing. Creons tragic flaw is his foolish pride. He sends the edict out in the first place because he did not have the state that he ruled in mind, but because of the inner revenge against Polynices. He also is stubborn because he is unrelenting in his stubbornness. He believes that if he is persuaded by anyone that it means he is womanish. He sticks to his guns until it is too late to change anything which includes the deaths of his wife, son, and niece. He is in a moral predicament because he has an obligation to protect his state of Thebes which includes its democratic laws and its citizens. He also is obligated to the Gods who ultimately rule over all beings and their divine laws. Creon fails to follow both of his obligations. Creon is shown as a self serving ruler who does not care about anything else except seeking revenge. And even when it is suggested to him that he should change his mind about Antigone and his edict by Haemon and Teiresias he remains obstinate and blind to his own actions. He adheres to the laws of the state rather than having irreverence to the laws of the Gods. In a conversation with Teiresias he displays that he would not yield even if the eagles carry the body to Zeus he would remain unyielding in his principles. Haemon also advises his father to learn from others, but Creon feels that he should rule not for others but for himself. He forgets the power of the kingdom is to rule over people and is not to be caught in his own vengeful power struggle. And it is because of this his stubbornness that he experiences a turn of events that show that he really was wrong in what he did. His downfall was caused by his irrationality by defying the decree of the Gods that demanded a proper bur ial for all. It was an violation to have an indecent burial. By Creons edict and will to have Polynices unburied and Antigone sentenced to death he has shown that he surpassed the Gods. This is very bad judgement because the Gods are punishing beings and ruled overall, but Creon only ruled his kingdom. .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 , .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .postImageUrl , .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 , .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:hover , .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:visited , .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:active { border:0!important; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:active , .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7 .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6d35fefcad9a2d8d1c34db1b3d1c51c7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Sexual & AsexualCreon is ultimately punished for his pride and lack of respect for the Gods. It was after his conversation with Teiresias that he realizes he was blind to himself and that as a mortal he should have never defiled the Gods. But it is too late because the Gods have cursed him by having all his close family members kill themselves. Bibliography: