Dialectical Journal:

Passage (Pg. Purpose (Whats Analysis (How is it Application (How does it

#) conveyed?) conveyed?) connect?)

119- But -Shows how Antigone -Antigone does not care
leave me is stubborn, but also about death between the two sisters.
strong. overpowering her.
-Sticks to her beliefs -She sticks to her motive
no matter what, even of giving her brother a
if it means death. proper burial.
-Stands by her -Understands that the
opinion. king can kill her, but will
-Very devoted to her not budge.
religion, and family. -Willing to bear
responsibility for her
actions.
-Headstrong, and ready
to face death for
something she believes
in.
Theme: The rivalry
-Antigone proves to be
the headstrong sister of
the two, while Ismene is
more timid and fearful.
-Ismene is seen as
reasonable and level-
headed, while Antigone
is impulsive, moody,
and shallow.

147- -The men in this work -When someone does not Theme: Power.
Wisdom is are stubborn act wise, they will be -Corrupts and
the (especially Creon). punished by the gods. metaphorically blinds
supreme -Power has gotten to -If one believes they are both Antigone and and
their heads and they as powerful as the all Creon.
believe that they are mighty gods, they will -Creon was a reasonable
the all mighty and also be punished. man before he became
may rule over -If you are greedy or king, but after he gained
everyone. arrogant, you will be his throne, he became
-Wisdom comes with punished as well. arrogant and cruel.
age. -Men realize this very
-Takes the men a long late in life.
while to finally learn -Fools will learn in time,
from their abuse of but not the easy way.
power, and mistakes.

32- Of all -The lack of respect -How Medea is Theme: Feminism, or

things that for women in the constantly saying oh woe anti-feminism.
Grecian society. is me. -The sorry state of the
-How poorly the -Medea is always feeling female in Greece.
women are treated by bad for herself, and -Medea feels aggrieved by
men. complaining about her man, but instead of
-How women have life and the way shes accepting it, she ensures
 barely any rights, and treated. (Ex. pg. 28) her own power.
are hardly allowed to -Wishing she was dead, -Creon wants to banish,
do anything. lost in her torment, and she argues on her own
-How being a woman discussing how behalf.
alone can drive one miserable she is. -Has concern for her
mad. -Suffered wretchedness. reputation like man.
-Euripides portrays -Kills own kids. -Assumes she has the
women as the second right to speak as man
lowest on the totem does.
pole, just above the
slaves.

Other themes:

Antigone:

Determination:

-Universal character trait among almost all of the cast.

-Despite the characters set fate in the play, Creon, Antigone, Ismene, and Polyneices are all

driven/stubborn at fighting their fate.

-Constantly attempting to pursue impossible goals, or goals that they are told they cannot

reach.

-Less an asset than a flaw.

Mortality:

-Self injury and suicide are prevalent among these characters.

-In the context of this play, with how often suicide and self injury and acceptance of death

broadly suggests life in tenuous.

-Taking one's life is almost acceptable, and are the only way the characters can influence their

own fate.

Medea:

Revenge:
-Medeas pursuit of revenge is legendary.

-Driven by passionate desire to do wrong to those who have done wrong to her.

-Sacrifices her own children for satisfaction.

-Shows audience the horror that can come from allowing vengeance rule your life.

Exile:

-Medea has been banished from her home.

-Resonates with the author's audience of ancient athens.

-Their city-state was their lives, and the thought of being cut off from that and cast out into the

wilderness by themselves without the guidance of their group is terrifying to them.