Blog #4: Teiresias of Thebes

Even though Teiresias and I serve different gods, I still admire his willingness be faithful to his understanding of what is right. Adherence to a creed is the essence of Teiresias’ loyalty.

Teiresias risks the king’s anger to warn the people of Thebes of the gods’ coming wrath. This shows Teiresias’ loyalty to the gods and to his calling as a prophet for the people. Unlike many others in Thebes, he stands up to Creon and explains the king’s faults. Teresias is trying to save the people, because he believes the actions King Creon is taking now will harm the city in the future.

Teiresias makes the right decision to foretell the future of Thebes according to the course Creon is setting. If he had known what the gods said, but he had not prophesied out of fear of the king’s anger, Teresias would have been disloyal both to his religion and to the people of Thebes. When Creon does not listen at first, Teresias could have gone even further by crying his prophecy in the streets, as the biblical prophet Jonah did in ancient Ninevah.

Teiresias is a hero in Antigone because he tries to turn the course of history set by a self-absorbed leader. He does this even though he is old and blind, qualities that might make him weak and vulnerable. This teaches me that I should do what I can, even if it seems small.  Having faith I can make a difference is the first step to making a real difference in the world.

I recommend reading classic ancient literature, such as Antigone, because of its value for enjoyment, for education, and for understanding the human condition. First, readers feel a kinship with the many millions of people who have enjoyed the story. Second, writers ever since Sophocles and even today still allude to these characters; we cannot understand many other writings if we have not read the ancient writings that survive. Third, Antigone, like all great literature, contains timeless themes about the condition of man. When we thoughtfully read the classics, we wrestle with why people act the way they do, coming to terms with the faults within ourselves and others. 

Note from Mrs. Fletcher:

This post was written in the assigned format (below), giving students ideas for how to develop their own posts about other characters..

Introduction

Chunk 1:  How did this character display being "loyal to a cause""?

Chunk 2:  Do you agree with this character's decisions?  What would you have changed?

Chunk 3:  Your opinion/connection to this character

Conclusion:  Why should students read this play...which was written 2500 years ago?