Themes: Universal?
Antigone and Whale Rider
Gender
Both Koro and Creon (men themselves) assume leaders for their community must be male.
- Creon states that losing his authority to a woman (Antigone) would be humiliating. He is especially afraid of being undermined by a woman because it would show his kingdom that even a woman is allowed to disobey the king.
"Of all the people in this city, only she has contempt for my law and broken it. Do you want me to show myself weak before the people? ... No, and I will not. The woman dies" (Scene 3 Lines 24-28). - Koro criticizes his son for naming the newly born daughter Paikea because that is a traditional name reserved for men in the chief's family who will be brought up to take on the leadership of the community. He feels that this name cannot be given to a girl because she cannot be allowed this role in the community as a woman.
Fate
Whale Rider
Paikea is fated to be the leader of her community, despite the actions of Koro to train other potential leaders. She is destined to be the leader because of her name.
Oedipus' Curse
The family of Oedipus cannot escape the misfortune promised by fate.
"I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past Loom upon Oedips' children: generation from generations takes the compulsive rage of the enemy god" (Ode 2 Lines 7-9).
"I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past Loom upon Oedips' children: generation from generations takes the compulsive rage of the enemy god" (Ode 2 Lines 7-9).
Tieresias
The blind prophets speaks truth into the lives of Oedipus and Creon; his wisdom falls on deaf ears. He warns both men of their impending fates.
"Then take this, and take it to heart! The time is no far off when you shall pay back corpse for corpse, flesh of your own flesh. . . this is your crim: and the Furies and the dark gods of hell are swift with terrible punishment for you" (Scene 5 Lines 70-79).
"Then take this, and take it to heart! The time is no far off when you shall pay back corpse for corpse, flesh of your own flesh. . . this is your crim: and the Furies and the dark gods of hell are swift with terrible punishment for you" (Scene 5 Lines 70-79).
Pride
Pride
Author: Mrs. Witt
Email: mkwitt@troy.k12.mi.us
Website: wittenglish.weebly.com
Twitter: @wittTHS