e eban Times Juliana Paschoalini and Jordan Hamuka ANTIGONE REBELS! feelings will be." We will contact more sources and keep you updated. By: Juliana Paschoalini August 18, 434 B.C.E.- In the quiet city of Thebes not much goes on; however, recently a well known young lady Antigone changed that. Antigone went against the rules of King Creon and buried her dead brother Polyneices, who had fought against our city. Earlier, Antigone's family began to have a lot of problems. It all started when Oedipus visited the Oracle of Delphi, and discovered he had married his own biological mother, and killed his father. Ashamed of what she had done, Jocasta, his mother, killed herself, and Oedipus himself poked both of his eyes out. If that wasnt enough for Antigone, her two brothers fought against each other for the throne and ended up killing each other. One of the brothers, Eteocles, was given a traditional burial, but Polyneices was not, because he was fighting against Thebes. Antigone, being the well rounded child she is, decided that she would bury her brother, with the gods. However, Antigone was going against the rules of our King, Creon, who had recently just made a law against burying anyone who didn't deserve it. We asked Antigone's sister Ismene what her initial reaction was and she replied with this, "When she told me what she was going to do, I tried to talk her out of it, and I even contacted "Dear Julie" but no one gave me a straight answer. I thought Antigone was Crazy!" Antigone didn't seem to care about the consequences, because earlier this morning she was caught burying her brother, as seen above. We are not exactly sure what will happen to Antigone, however we do know it will not be pleasant. We contacted the chorus and asked them what they felt, "We believe Antigone will be killed, but we are not sure what Haemon's
2 THE THEBAN TIMES CREON'S CURSE ON THEBES! (Above): King Creon of Thebes finally decides to bury Polynices By: Jordan Hamuka August 18, 434 B.C.E.- The recent events that have taken place in the past weeks in Thebes have really caught the attention of people far and wide. Some may say these series of events tragic events happened incidentally, others are calling it a curse; more specifically, King Creon's curse. During the war between Polynices and Eteocles, sons of noble Oedipus, the brothers shed one another s blood, slaying each other as they fought a tough battle for Thebes. Eteocles, noted as an honorable warrior of Thebes after the disastrous battle, was given a proper ceremonial burial; however, Polynices, who fought against Thebes and his own blood, was left out for the wild and would not make his way to Hades. One could only imagine how hard it would be to experience the deaths of their two brothers at the same time. Antigone and Ismene, daughters of Oedipus, are both first hand witnesses to this traumatic event. "When Antigone told me she wanted to bury Polynices' body and wanted me to help, despite King Creon's edict. I was terrified and astonished. I thought she was crazy!" Ismene recalls, reporting to The Theban Times after these outrageous events. Ismene shares with us how she felt when she was standing in front of King Creon, her own uncle, after he had sentenced her and her sister to death."i was afraid to die. I watched Antigone, dauntless, ready to take whatever was thrown at her. And then there was me, nearly frightened of my own shadow. Now I realize I would for my sister in a heartbeat," claims Ismene. Ismene got out of her death sentence; however, Antigone was not so lucky. Antigone's fiancé and the son of Creon, Haemon, tried to persuade his father out of killing his bride-to-be. He told his father, "It is no weakness for the wisest man to learn when he is wrong, know when to yield." Although Haemon tried to get his father to listen to himself and the people, Creon was offended that his own son was going against his word and decided to carry on with his edict. As the once fearless Antigone was escorted to her bower, she cried as she thought of all the moments in life she would miss out on, all for following her beliefs, family loyalty and the law of the Gods. Teiresias, well-respected and wise seer, went to Creon to notify him that the gods were angered by Creon's decisions to bury the leaving and leaving the dead to rot. Creon did not want to hear this and allowed Teiresias to leave, but not before Teiresias could warn Creon, that because of his decisions, Haemon would die. With the coaxing of Haemon, Teiresias and later the city folk, Creon finally agreed to bury Polynices and release Antigone. His edict was lifted a bit too late though, for when he reached Antigone's bower, he found a hanged women and a distressed Haemon. When Haemon realized his father was there, he tried to kill Creon, but with a failed attempt, killed himself instead. After hearing about the death of her son, Eurydice, the wife of Creon, stabbed herself through the heart. Because of Creon's rash decision not to bury his son Polynices, Creon angered the gods and caused many unnecessary deaths, resulting in what people are calling, Creon's curse on Thebes.
THE THEBAN TIMES 3 OBITUARIES By: Jordan Hamuka (Above): A Burrial Ground in Thebes Polyneices P ynices was one of two noble sons of f mer king, Oedipus. He, like his broth wanted to inherit the throne after his ther had left his post. He fought against the city of Thebes and his own bother to become ruler. When he died, he was not given a proper burial, as he had betrayed Thebes. He was left out to rot, but was later buried by his sister, Antigone, and later the new king of Thebes, Creon. Rest in peace, Polynices. Eurydice Eurydice was the wife of Creon and queen of Thebes. She died shortly after the death of her son, Haemon, by stabbing herself through the heart. She loved her son trruly and could not live life without him. Rest in peace, Eurydice. Antigone Haemon Haemon was the noble son King Creon. He killed himself by falling on his sword after he had found out his dead fiance, Antigone, had hanged herself. Haemon was a very special man and will always be remembered by his father and the people of Thebes. Rest in peace, Haemon. Antigone was one of two noble daugh rough childhood. When her father, Oed casta was actually Opedipus' mother, sh his eyes out, leaving the rest of the fam mene and joined the life that her two br also left behind her fiance Haemon, who soon followed in her wake. Antigone was strong-willed and full of pride, which led her to bury her bother, Polynices and get sentenced to death. Antigone died by hanging herself in her bower. Rest in peace, Antigone. Eteocles Eteocles was one of two noble sons of former king, Oedipus. After the news of his mother Jocasta and his father Oedipus, Etyocles began his journey to become king. This involved a war that would lead him to his own demise, by his brother, Polynices. Eteocles fought for the city of Thebes. After he had died, he was given a prober ceremonial burial to Hades. Rest in peace, Eteocles.
4 THE THEBAN TIMES HOROSCOPES By: Juliana Paschoalini (Above): All of the Zodiac Signs Aries: Today will be the best day of your life, but beware, everything could turn if your attitude stays negative. Don't get too upset when things don't go your way, it will work out eventually. Your Lucky Numbers are: 10 31 12 3 7 Cancer: Today you will feel very creative and passionate about the small things in life. You will be very appreciative of life, but be careful, it could take all of your time away from the bigger things in your life that makes it great. Your Lucky Numbers are: 14 10 1 25 32 Gemini: Todays the day where things just wont work out, but it's all just a test to see how you handle the pressure. Don't let the small things bother you and in return, tomorrow will have a special surprise for you to discover. Your Lucky Numbers are: 21 5 32 9 10 Taurus: Looking for love? Today will be the day when the person you love the most, will either confess his undying love for you, or he could become your worst enemy. Its your choice, your mood, and facial expressions make it or break it, so relax, stay calm, and your love life will fall into place. Your Lucky Numbers are: 7 51 9 11 31 Pisces: You have a great deal of power today, but use it wisely, no one likes a bully, they respect them, but they lose all trust in them. Your Lucky Numbers are: 13 51 64 21 10 Virgo: Today, someone will make your day a whole lot brighter and give meaning to your life. This person could either take the place of one of your other friends, or join your circle, its your choice. Your Lucky Numbers are: 2 51 25 23 55 Leo: Your family will be the most important aspect of your day today. Treasure every moment with them and make sure that today, you are living like it is your last. Signs say, if everything goes well, a new member of your family could soon arrive. Your Lucky Numbers are: 4 54 26 24 02 Libra: Your birthday is coming up, and usually your financial mind is pretty focused, but this year greed is coming your way. Try donating something that means a lot to you, or doing a nice deed, otherwise this month will be your worst. Your Lucky Numbers are: 15 42 61 32 10 Sagittarius: You are feeling selfish; try helping someone in need, or donate some of your used items. Your Lucky Numbers Are: 10 12 15 26 35 Capricorn: Today you have a very tense atomosphere; try making yourself happy with something you don't usually do on a day to day basis. Your Lucky Numbers are: 12 15 61 14 20 Aquarius: You are shy, and timid, but todays your day to shine, so get out there and show the world your biggest smile yet Your Lucky Numbers are: 10 19 89 95 30 Scorpio: Go sing a song, and be greatful for everything you have in life. Your days will be good and spiritual, but don't lose sight of what matters most. Your Lucky Numbers are: 14 18 81 61 35
THE THEBAN TIMES 5 Dear Julie By: Juliana Paschoalini (Above): An Ancient Scroll Question: Hi Julie, I am having a problem, my brother died and he wasn't buried... Should I do nothing, or should I bury him? ~Antigone Julie: Antigone, you seem to be in quite the predicament... Just follow your heart, that's all I can say. Love, Julie Question: I sentenced my niece to death, and my son is in love with her. She went against my law, but my son is very upset. Did I make the wrong choice? ~ Creon Julie: What exactly did she do? Question: Dearest Julie, This girl, Antigone, she's really great, but I don't know how long this relationship will last, since my father dislikes her and thinks she is disobedient. ~Haemon Julie: Haemon, Who cares what your father thinks, with all due respect to him. If you really love this girl, stay with her until the end. Question: Julie, you helped me so much. I am so glad I asked you my question. Thank you. ~ Anonymous Julie: Awe... Thank you! I am so glad I could help you! <3 Julie Question: Sometimes I dont know if the gods really exsist... It's not because I just like to doubt them, it's just luck hasn't been very good in my family latley.. My mother killed herself, my father poked his eyes out, and left, and my sister has been put on trial. What do I do? Julie: You are in a very sticky situation... just keep staying strong, and never doubt the gods. I hope everything works out for you. Question: She buried her dead brother who fought against Thebes, and he was not to be buried.~ Creon Question: I kind of like this girl, but she already found someone to love. Do I have a chance or should I back off? Julie: Never interfere with someone else's love life, especially if it only benefits yourself. Let them be, and find someone else to love. :) Question: Julie, What made you create a "Dear Julie" page in THE THEBAN TIMES? Julie: Well, I was known for giving advice, and people started sending me letters and many of them were similar, so instead of responding to the same things, I decided to contact THE THE- BAN TIMES and they thought it would be a great addition to their daily news article. Love, Julie. Question: My sister is about to do something very risky, and it seems like the more I tell her not to do it, she just continues! I don't know how to stop her, but I have to because the consequences could take her life. What should I do? Julie: Try using reverse psychology on her, and if that doesn't work, try putting yourself in her perspective. Maybe what she is doing is right, and not so bad after all. Julie: Oh... I'd say to just talk to your son and try to get him to understand your reasoning, but make sure you listen to what he is trying to say as well. Question: Julie, I married my mother, had four children with her, and killed my father. What do I do? ~Anonymous Julie: Dear Anon, I have no clue, you're in such a bad situation.
6 THE THEBAN TIMES CREON: THE TRAGIC HERO By: Jordan Hamuka Antigone and Creon alike had a lot of pride, which is both characters tragic flaw. We saw Antigone's sense of pride w h e n s h e b u r i e d h e r b r o t h e r, Polynices. Because Antigone buried her brother, she was sentenced to death, which was the reversal of fortune brought about because of her tragic flaw. She was expecting she would die because of these actions, however, as she was being led out to her bower, she began to feel as if, what she once thought was the right decision, was in fact the wrong one. This is a qualifying characteristic for Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero. (Above): Creon the king of Thebes Creon is the tragic hero in Sophocles' Greek tragedy, Antigone. Based on Aritotle's definition of tragic hero, Creon qualifies. According to Aristotle, the first common characteristic of a tragic hero is being of noble decent. Creon is the brother of Jocasta, who was the wife of Laius. When Laius died, Oedipus became king; however, he became unsuitable for the possession of king and Jocasta had killed herself. Once this happened, Jocasta and Oedipus' sons, Polynices and Eteolcles fought for the throne but killed each other in the process. Through the tragic circumstances, Creon became king. The second characteristic a tragic hero has to have is a tragic flaw. In this case, Creon's tragic flaw was possessing too much pride. It is easily noticeable that Creon is very prideful because he shows the character traits of being arrogant and conceited. He feels as if he is the most important and wisest person. He also does not like to consider others' opinions in rough situations. Whatever Creon says, goes. This gives off the sense of Creon being conceited and full of pride. Creon was so prideful that it caused a series of tragic events. When Creon made the edict to not bury Polynices, he unconsciously started a new war. Antigone, sister of Polynices, felt she could not live knowing her brother would never make it to Hades, so she risked her life to bury him. By doing this, she got herself killed, which also resulted in the deaths of Haemon and Eurydice, which were Creon's son and wife. According to Aristotle's definition, the third characteristic needed to be a tragic hero is a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero's tragic flaw. Because he had so much pride, Creon got his wife and son killed. After Creon's wife and son died, he began to realize that his pride caused these awful events. He is becoming aware that because of his edict to not grant Polynices a proper burial, he is getting a reversal of fortune because of his own tragic flaw, which is Aristotle's final characteristic needed to define a person as a tragic hero. Personally, I feel as if Creon is the tragic hero; however, some may argue that Antigone is in fact the tragic hero of this play. Antigone is the sister/daughter of Oedipus, who was king before Creon, which makes her of noble birth. So although Creon and Antigone both have all the characteristics Aristotle says in necessary to truly be a tragic hero, it makes more sense that the tragic hero is actually Creon. This is because the awful events that happened to Antigone, like her mother and brothers dying, were unavoidable, even with her tragic flaw of pride. Creon's events; however, were avoidable and caused because of how prideful he was. All in all, this is why Creon fits Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero better than Antigone does, in the Greek tragedy, Antigone.
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