Women’s Role in Greek Tragedy
...obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. Even in her lapse into madness and death, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers and finally drowning in the river amid the flower garlands she had gathered. A great Jedi Master once said, "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." Ophelia's suffering is clearly a direct result of the anger, hate, and corruption in Denmark and her role as a tragic heroine serves to magnify all that is wrong with the world. Although Ophelia’s character fits the qualities of a Greek tragic heroin, she is frequently seen as one dimensional and merely tragic rather than heroically tragic. Ophelia has very little action in the play, her character is often seen as one dimensional and insignificant; a mere tool to advance the plot. One of the major strengths of Ophelia's character was that she was so pure and good, keeping her modesty even after she has lost her wits. The extreme change in Ophelia's behavior once she goes mad is criticized by many philosophers that if Shakespeare was resolved to drown Ophelia like a Kitten, he should have set her swimming a little sooner. To keep her alive only to sully her reputation, and discover the Rankness of her Breath, was very cruel. The rankness of her breath served to advance the tragedy of Ophelia's madness magnifying the harshness of those around her and their actions. It truly is a tragedy that someone so pure of heart is changed so drastically by the evil that has engulfed the state of Denmark. Poor judgment by the tragic heroine, called hamatria, results in a fall from grace and social ranking. Ophelia's tragic flaw is her inability to cope with tragic event after tragic event. Ophelia's death, though shrouded in controversy, is still a death, and it is always very tragic when someone as pure and good as her dies. Antigone on the other hand is a true tragic heroin too, as she possesses many qualities that qualify her for a tragic hero. This protagonist has a high social standing, is neither overly good nor bad, and sticks to her fatal flaw. Antigone has a high social standing in the town of Thebes. Because of her high standing she has a lot of fame and regard to lose, and therefore is capable of great suffering. Of the people who say Creon is the tragic hero also say that Antigone is no longer in a high position in the society due to the burying of her brother. Antigone's ungodly side is shown by her incestuous behavior with her brother Polyneices. Her po...