Opedius Rex and Antigone Relations to Todays Society

1365 Words6 Pages
Antigone and Oedipus Rex are both plays that come from Greek mythology. Greek mythology holds myths and teachings that belong to the Ancient Greeks. Guilt vs. shame is a major theme we see in Oedipus Rex. The position of women is a major theme we see in Antigone. Although the actions and beliefs of characters in the plays Antigone and Oedipus Rex may seem primitive at times the themes that the plays portray such as guilt vs. shame and the position of women have morals that can be applied to today’s society. Guilt and shame can overcome many people’s lives and can cause some major problems. Some major problems could be depression, anxiety, and multiple personalities. Guilt and shame can also trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD. I believe that Oedipus suffered from PTSD after finding out the true story of his life. The role of women has improved but not by much. Women now have more rights when it comes to publicly working but still don’t have as many opportunities as men. Oedipus and Jocasta were not guilty, because they got together unknowingly that they were mother and son. They end up feeling guilt and shame because they have violated tow of the basic rules of humanity. Those rules they have violated are incest and killing one’s parent. The guilt and shame gets to Jocasta to make her commit suicide and Oedipus blind himself. Bullying today in society could fit into this category. Guilt and shame could cause suicidal thoughts in a person. When a person is bullied they may end up feeling shameful of their character. In society today many people take their own lives because they can’t handle the stress that they have. In Jocasta’s case she couldn’t handle finding out the truth that she had married her own son. “Servant: It is the fastest of words both to say and to learn: our divine queen, Jocasta is dead.

More about Opedius Rex and Antigone Relations to Todays Society

Open Document