Burial at Thebes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Burial at Thebes - Essay ExampleHeaneys work followed the same storyline of Sophocles work, but in an all new structure and sentences, giving his own interpretations to certain events and decisions of the characters. As Heaney wrote this work in 2003, the year of Iraq War, there is view that he seems to be influenced by the War to come up with his own interpretation of Antigone. (He) wrote in 2003, believing that with the W make watere House and the Pentagon in cahoots, determined to bring the rest of us into line over Iraq, the passion and balk of an Antigone were all of a sudden as vital as oxygen masks. (Spencer 2007). Apart from these reflections, this work and the conflicts between the main characters seems to be relevant to the current measure across different culture. As in Sophocless Antigone, The Burial at Thebes is about life, fight and death of Antigone and the events surrounding it, with the conflicts between the characters leading to a tragical end. The title of the play in a way recalls the punishment meted out to Antigone in the cave of Thebes, where she was buried alive. After her two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, die in the Thebes genteel war, both were given contrasting burials, based on the allegiance. The tragedy is multiplied when not only Polyneices is felled in the war, but also Antigones other brother, Eteocles, perishes on the opposing side -- Creons side. ... Already tainted by her heritage, Antigone wants to give some honour to his dead brother, although he was considered as the traitor of Thebes by the pansy Creon. This sets the stage for the major conflict between Antigone and her future father-in-law Creon. Antigone has been betrothed to Creons son Haemon, and that does not prevent her from fighting for her dead brother. On the other hand, Creon by placing his kingdom and his policies regarding traitors over his soon-to-be daughter-in-laws dead brother, denies her wish. With both of them not willing to give in from their Stated positions, it leads to further deterioration of their relationship. This conflict between daughter-in-law and father-in-law, although not a common occurrence, happens in cultures all over the world. Stereotypically, mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws are considered to be sworn enemies, who both indulge in conflicts quite often, with the father-in-law being the silent spectator. However, sometimes, conflicts could hold water between them and that could come into the public domain, if anyone one of them is a public figure. This has happened in the case of Chairman of the family bench at Worcester Magistrates Court, Richard Westcott, whose daughter-in-law, Sarah complained that he physically assaulted him during a scuffle. Sarah had a fight with her husband and Richards son, Edward, when it was alleged that his father-in-law, wanting to protect his son, intervened and physically assaulted her although she had baby in her hand. The court heard she later told police I was hit o n my upper body and Daniel was hit on the side. Im a doctor and Im worried about Daniels arm. I was hit at least seven times. (Dolan 2007). Her illness against Richard