Antigone Vs. Oedipus: Differences, Similarities, Genderm, Role Reversal

Characters and tragic heroes from Sophocles' plays, Oedipus and Antigone - two of the many sacred stories of ancient Greek mythology - King Oedipus, the father, and daughter, Antigone, share a number of similarities, as well as a few differences. Both of these stories give frequent reminders of that society's view of women as lesser beings than men, so these gender roles are key elements in each story, however, the reversal of these roles has the potential to completely change the actions, reactions, events, and conclusions of both stories.

Oedipus and Antigone do, as previously mentioned, share many similarities, but they also both have differences that separate them, and these are very important. Firstly, Oedipus is short-tempered, and many times throughout the story acts out in anger, making rash decisions, and saying or doing things that he would not if he was not angry. This gets Oedipus into a great deal of trouble on multiple occasions. Early in the story, while talking with Jocasta, Oedipus admits:

"...in anger I struck the driver who was forcing me off the road...I killed them all" (Oedipus 779, 785).

Oedipus admits that he acted out of great anger, and he soon realizes that he committed a terrible crime. Antigone, on the other hand, is more even-tempered than her father. In relationship to the gods, Antigone is respectful of them, and she obeys the laws that they have set, specifically that which requires that the dead be buried. In contrast, Oedipus defies the gods. He seeks to be above them in the eyes of the people of Thebes, to have them take his word before theirs, and to look to him, their king, before looking to the gods. Oedipus says:

"You are praying. Your prayers will be granted if you hear my words obediently and are prepared to do what this disease requires." (Oedipus 213-215).

Oedipus speaks as if he is the one that will answer the prayers of the people and that he will be their savior, making no mention of the gods. A third difference between Oedipus and Antigone is peripeteia: the transition from happiness to misery and that, which, according to Aristotle, must be experienced by the tragic hero. Oedipus can certainly be said to have gone from happiness: being happily married, a king loved by his people, and a delighted father, to misery: becoming hated by the gods and despised by the people. Antigone, on the other hand, was not necessarily happy to begin with, and is completely knowing and expectant of her fate. Antigone confirms:

"You are to live, while my soul perished long ago, which is why I could help the dead" (Antigone 536-537).

Antigone reveals that she died a long time before the events of the story took place. Despite these differences, Antigone and Oedipus share far more similarities. Even the chorus cannot deny that.

"The maiden's unyielding nature shows she was born of an unyielding father" (Antigone 451-452).

This statement is made by the chorus not too far into Creon's questioning of Antigone when she comes in, admitting to what she did, and completely without shame. Antigone's hubris can also be seen during that same encounter with the king. Oedipus' hubris is so great that it gets him into quite a bit of trouble. Antigone, as mentioned above, certainly displays a form of this hubris, which may not necessarily be as firm and overpowering as that of her father, but there is no doubt that this trait is seen in her throughout the story. Secondly, both Oedipus and Antigone choose to ignore reality. Oedipus is told the prophecy on his life by both the gods and Tiresias, and then reminded of it by his wife and mother, Jocasta, but he constantly refuses to accept it. Antigone hears the edict made by Creon, which says that whoever buries Polynices, a traitor to the city of Thebes, will suffer death by public stoning. Antigone is well of aware of this, ignores the consequences, as well as the warnings and attempts at persuasion made by her sister, Ismene, then does the deed anyway. Thirdly, both Oedipus and Antigone are stubborn, as well as determined. It is important to note the difference between the two. Oedipus is determined to find out his origin, despite Jocasta's eventual pleading with him to leave it alone. At the same time, he is very stubborn, as he refuses to accept the prophecy, which is revealed to him multiple times. Antigone is also both determined and stubborn. She is determined to bury her brother, Polynices, with or without help and no matter what decrees or edicts have been made. She is stubborn when presented to Creon, refusing to show any form of remorse, shame, or guilt, which Creon so readily expects from her. Antigone says:

"Then why do you delay? For nothing in your words pleases me, or will ever please me, just as whatever I say will always displease you" (Antigone 476-478).

Antigone and Oedipus are both quick and decisive and act without hesitation, however, because of these actions, ultimately, they are responsible for the self-infliction of their individual, unfortunate ends.

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