In AP lit class, we just finished reading the story of "Antigone", which is sort of the sequel to "Oedipus Rex". The story is about one of Oedipus' daughters who is dealing with a family issue. This story is no different in that it is certainly a tragedy as well. This story is certainly not a relief in that department. The basis of the story is that two of her brothers kill each other, and one is buried and the other isn't. In ancient Greece this is a very big showing of disrespect to someone. Antigone has a problem with this and buries her brother that wasn't buried anyway. The ruler of Thebes made this a crime punishable by death, but she did it anyways. She was also very proud of her actions, and did not try to hide it one bit. The king had her sentenced to death, and she was to be trapped in a cave with little food and left to die.
The thing I found most interesting in this play was that there was more than one voice of reason. Antigone was borderline because she didn't care about the repercussions of what she did, but she was doing the right thing. The chorus leader, the wise man, and the king's son all tried to talk him out of killing Antigone. It was rather ridiculous for her to be killed because she gave her brother a proper burial. There were many people trying to talk him out of it which made it interesting for me. It shows you how strongly emotions can affect your actions. The story ends up with the king deciding not to kill Antigone, but he's too late because she ends her own life, his son ending his own life, his wife ending her life, and he is left alone. He now prays for death.
This is basically what happens and it is definitely tragic. I felt like it was really ridiculous and very unlikely to happen, but that doesn't make it any less tragic. Having people read it during class was cool because it aids your retention. When two sense are being stimulated your retention is much greater.
One thing this story has going for it is that it matches well with a famous philosopher's beliefs. The stories of Antigone and Oedipus are ideal works of tragedy in the eyes of Aristotle. He thinks they are the quintessences of the element of tragedy.
I thought it was hard to relate to the story because a lot of the topics in it are outdated and people these days don't really experience them. The plot structure was solid and there was definitely some good rhetoric, but overall I just didn't have a great connection with it.