Nothing more terrible than humanity: Obstinacy, withdrawal, and desire in Sophocles’ "Antigone"

Abstract

This study contests the view that Sophocles' Antigone is "unphilosophical," and argues that addressing the contest of ideas is central to the play. It is thus an inquiry not only into the play itself but its relationship to ancient Greek philosophy. The author develops a new account of the relationship between Antigone and Creon, not as mere opposites, but as having an analogical relationship to one another. He contends that the play advances a view of rational and human limits that is congenial not only to Aristotle's view of poetry, but to his whole philosophical approach. He also suggests, however, that the play adumbrates a heroic vision of humanity's need to use violence that is not so easily reconcilable with existing philosophical approaches, but that nonetheless constitutes a significant reflection on the human situation that is "philosophical" in its own right.