Zackary Park

1:00 PM Tuesday/Thursday
Why does the chorus suggest that man is a terrible wonder?
The Chorus praise of man in Antigone is known as the Ode to Man.
It describes mans accomplishments. Man is a wonder for man has built
ships to master the ocean seas, made plows to wear down the earth, tamed
bulls and horses to use them for labor, and created shelter to overcome
frost, rain in winter storms, and the harshness of weather under open skies.
Man has discovered his own ways of survival - conquering animals, weather,
and the earth - independently from the gods; man has conquered Nature.
However, the Chorus also suggests that man is also a terrible wonder.
Since man has found ways to survive and overcome Nature, man is
living as his choosing; he is living according to his own will since he does not
need to rely on the gods. Therefore, man can bring arts beyond his dreams
and lead him onto evil. (Antigone) Every new accomplishment brings
man farther from the initial fear of gods.
For example, Creon represents the problems with free will. He decrees
that Polyneices remain unburied; however, a proper burial for the dead is
necessary, which is the law of the gods. Antigone tells Creon, I did not think
anything which you proclaimed strong enoughto let a mortal override the
gods and their unwritten and unchanging laws. (Antigone) Even Nature
hints that his decision is outrageous. Birds scream angrily while tearing at
each other, and storms rage in the city. Nevertheless, because of his power,
he is not willing to abide by the laws issued by the gods.

Zackary Park
1:00 PM Tuesday/Thursday
Why does the chorus suggest that man is a terrible wonder?
When man does not need to rely on the gods because he has
conquered nature, man lives according to his own will; therefore, his free will
may lead him onto evil (Antigone), a terrible wonder.