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 Antigone vs the world: 

Sophocles's Antigone is a classic Greek tragedy that explores the themes of loyalty, morality, and authority. The play revolves around the conflict between Antigone, a brave and rebellious sister, and her uncle Creon, the newly appointed king of Thebes. However, other characters play crucial roles in shaping the plot and the outcome of the story, particularly Ismene, Haemon, and Teiresias. In this essay, I will discuss the roles of these characters and their significance in the play.

Ismene, the timid and obedient sister of Antigone, appears in the play at the beginning and the end. Her role is primarily that of a foil to Antigone, highlighting the contrast between their personalities and beliefs. While Antigone is bold and determined to bury her brother Polynices, even if it means breaking the law, Ismene is cautious and afraid of the consequences. She pleads with Antigone not to risk her life and warns her that they are powerless against the king's authority (Sophocles 1131 – 1132). Ismene's character embodies the traditional female role in Greek society, which valued obedience and submission to male authority. However, her brief appearance in the play serves to underscore the central conflict and to emphasize Antigone's defiance.

The son of Creon and Antigone's fiancé, Haemon. Who plays a pivotal role in the play. He is introduced as a dutiful and respectful son, but his loyalty is soon tested when he discovers that his father has condemned Antigone to death for disobeying his decree. Haemon tries to reason with his father, arguing that the people of Thebes sympathize with Antigone and that he should reconsider his decision (Haemon 1147 – 1148). However, Creon's stubbornness and pride prevent him from listening to Haemon's advice, which leads to a tragic chain of events. Haemon's character embodies the voice of reason and moderation, which contrasts with Creon's rigid and authoritarian rule. He represents the younger generation's willingness to challenge tradition and to question the wisdom of their elders. However, his tragic fate also suggests that he is a victim of his own loyalty and love, as he chooses to die with Antigone rather than to live without her.

Teiresias, a blind prophet who appears in the play towards the end and serves as a catalyst for Creon's downfall. He warns Creon that the gods are angry with him for defying their laws and for showing no mercy to Antigone (Teiresias 1157 – 1158). Teiresias's character embodies the wisdom and insight that comes from years of experience and spiritual connection. He represents the voice of the divine, which contrasts with Creon's human and fallible nature. However, Creon's arrogance and disbelief lead him to ignore Teiresias's warnings, which results in a series of tragic events. Teiresias's role in the play is significant because it foreshadows the final outcome and emphasizes the inevitability of fate. This too can be said about someone in our real world, Baba Vanga. Both are renowned for their prophetic abilities. Baba Vanga was a blind Bulgarian mystic who claimed to have had visions of the future, and her predictions are said to have been accurate in some cases. Tiresias, on the other hand, was a blind prophet in ancient Greek mythology who was known for his ability to see the future and communicate with the gods. They were called upon to advise rulers and leaders. Baba Vanga reportedly provided guidance to several Bulgarian politicians, including a Bulgarian prime minister, while Tiresias

was sought out by the king of Thebes, Creon, to help him understand the cause of a plague that had befallen the city. Things like this are always fun to see, how a fictional play can be compared to the reality of our lives.

To wrap everything up, Sophocles's Antigone is a complex play that explores the human condition and the struggle for justice and freedom. Ismene, Haemon, and Teiresias are three characters who play crucial roles in shaping the plot and the outcome of the story. Ismene represents the traditional female role, Haemon embodies the voice of reason and moderation, and Teiresias embodies the voice of the divine. Each of them contributes to the development of the play and highlights the central conflict between authority and morality. Their significance lies in their ability to challenge the status quo and to question the wisdom of their elders. In the end, they serve to remind us of the enduring power of the human spirit and the importance of standing up for what we believe in.

Stella the lost star:

To be lost can mean many different things from being physically lost to being lost mentally. In the play, one can see that Blanche is very lost mentally mainly because of her traumatic past and seeing her sister Stella in a toxic relationship. At the same time though, Stella is no less lost than Blanche. For her to state “I couldn’t go on believing her story and live with Stanley” (Stella 133) just shows that she too does not know where she is at and wants to be in her life. Now, this might just be a nice play with a great story line and actors, but neither is it too far from reality. The quote “love is Blind” is real and in most cases the only ones that can see a relationship crumble are the people on the outside.

The major theme in the play is the conflict between illusion and reality, and this is certainly relevant to the current political climate. Just as Blanche creates a façade to hide her past and present herself as refined and proper (Blanche, scene 3 pg 55-56 / Blanche lying to Mitch about being a schoolteacher), many political leaders today use rhetoric and propaganda to maintain their power and legitimacy. Blanche is determined to maintain her dominance over Stella and the other characters, even as her mental state deteriorates, while Stanley is equally determined to assert his dominance and maintain his position as the alpha male. Similarly, in the world today, there are many power struggles between individuals and groups, both within and between countries. The issue of gender roles and expectations is also prominent in the play, as Stella is caught between her loyalty to her husband and her sister, both of whom represent very different ideals of femininity. In the political realm, there are ongoing debates and conflicts over gender roles and equality, as well as the representation of women in positions of power. Ultimately, while the characters and events of "A Streetcar Named Desire" may seem far removed from the political state of the world today, there are some interesting parallels that can be drawn.

One of the most striking aspects of the play is the tension between the two central characters, Stella and Blanche. Stella represents the working-class, while Blanche embodies the upper-class (Stanely, Blanche, scene 5 pg 77 / Blanche saying she can’t stand the smell of cheap perfume and Stanely surprised of how expensive her perfume is). This tension between the two classes is still relevant today, as economic inequality continues to be a major issue across the globe. Additionally, the power dynamics between Stella and Blanche can be seen in the context of the #MeToo movement, which highlights the pervasive problem of sexual harassment and abuse in society. Blanche is constantly objectified and disempowered by the male characters in the play, particularly Stanley, who uses his physical strength to intimidate and control her (Stanely scene 10 pg 130 / Stanely rapes Blanche). Furthermore, the play deals with issues of mental health and trauma, particularly in the case of Blanche, who struggles with depression and past traumas. This can be related to the current conversations surrounding mental health and the need for better resources and support for those who are struggling.

In psychological studies, researchers have explored similar themes related to coping mechanisms and how individuals deal with difficult situations. These studies can provide insight into the behavior of Stella and Blanche and how their experiences relate to real-world psychological phenomena. Stella is a character who embodies the concept of resilience. She hasendured a difficult upbringing and a tumultuous marriage to Stanley, yet she remains committed to her relationship and her family (Stella, scene 3 pg 60 / Stella taking control of the situation she is in with Stanely oppose to listening to what Blanche and Eunice tell her to do). She often serves as a mediator between Blanche and Stanley, attempting to maintain peace in the household. In psychological studies, resilience is a trait that has been found to be essential for individuals to overcome adversity and maintain mental health. Stella's ability to cope with the challenges in her life and remain positive is an example of the importance of resilience. On the other hand, Blanche represents the struggle with mental health and the impact of trauma on individuals. She is a complex character who has suffered significant losses in her life, including the death of her husband and the loss of her family home. Blanche's coping mechanisms, such as her excessive drinking (Blanche, scene 1 pg 19 / immediately asks Stella for a drink to calm her nerves) and her tendency to escape into fantasy, are examples of maladaptive coping strategies that can lead to further problems. In psychological studies, individuals who experience trauma often struggle with the effects of the trauma for years afterward, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage their emotions.

Illusion blinds reality: 

When it comes to Jhumpa Lahiri's "Interpreter of Maladies," you can really feel the complexities of human behavior and relationships shining through in every story. There's something about the way the characters are written that just feels so real and relatable. One of the things that makes this collection of short stories so unique is how it plays with different perspectives and narratives. You're not just seeing things from one character's point of view, but from multiple ones. It gives you a fuller picture of what's going on and how everyone is feeling.

Another thing that really stands out about "Interpreter of Maladies" is how it deals with issues of cultural identity and communication. There are so many moments where you can just feel the frustration and confusion that comes with trying to navigate two different cultures. It's something that a lot of people can relate to, whether they're immigrants themselves or just trying to connect with someone from a different background. But perhaps the thing that makes this work really resonate is the way it explores human flaws and relationships. Every character in the stories has their own set of issues - guilt, resentment, fear, misinterpretation, failure - and it's hard not to see a bit of yourself in them. Take Mr. Kapasi, for example. He's a translator who's feeling pretty down about his own life, but he finds himself forming an imaginary relationship with one of his clients, Mrs. Das. It's not hard to see how we can all get caught up in our own fantasies and daydreams, especially when we're feeling a bit lost. And that's what makes "Interpreter of Maladies" so relevant to our lives today. We might not all be struggling with the same issues as the characters in the stories, but we can all relate to the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt that they're going through. Whether it's comparing ourselves to others on social media or just feeling like we're not living up to our own expectations, we all have those moments where we just don't feel like we're enough.

In the end, the story is a work of art that really speaks to the human experience. It's about trying to connect with others and find meaning in our lives, even when things feel confusing and overwhelming. And while the stories might be set in a particular time and place, the themes and emotions are ones that we can all relate to on a deep, human level.