Antigone - Role of the Chorus

The chorus in most typical Greek Tragedies usually sets the mood for the play, introduces the main cast and provides narration throughout the play. In Antigone we see the Chorus throughout helping us shape our reactions to the proceeding actions. The Chorus in Antigone is like an in-play audience analyzing the events unfolding in the plot. Such as when Antigone is ordered to her living tomb, the Chorus’s sorrow is perhaps what the audience reciprocates as well.
Many times we learn of things through the chorus hence they also prove to be a summarizing built-in feature of Greek Tragedies. It’s almost as if the Greek Writers found a way to be present in their stories in spirit, directing and shaping the story. The Chorus in Antigone plays quite an important role itself: The Chorus convinces Creon to set Antigone free and bury Polyneices free. Creon agrees yet this “noble” act is what marks this story as a tragedy - even after this decision by Creon he loses both his son and wife. Yet again, the Chorus provides the audience with an epilogue. Leaving them to ponder over something and highlighting the theme of the play “Although the gods punish the proud, punishment brings wisdom.”

Zhou Dynasty Women

“Classic Poetry” is an excellent example of how a civilization’s legacy remains, even after thousands of years, through their pieces of art. Reading these short poems I can paint a whole picture of Ancient China. You can visualize what a normal person’s daily life was like since most of the poems are from the view-point of an ordinary person.
A number of poems we read basically talked about women; either regarding some issue that women in those days faced, or about how certain men acted towards women. In general, we can see how women were totally secondary in the society like most other cultures of that time. Men could go for second wives, or forcefully marry women such as in “Boat of Cypress’. Also, we can pick how fornication was a big deal, yet common practice, in that society by the poem “Chung-tzu, Please,” as the narrator is afraid of her family finding out about her sexual relations with Chung-tzu. Also, by “Dead Roe Deer” we can tell how a woman’s honor was shattered had she been found guilty of having sexual relations with anyone but her husband. She was treated worse than a wild, dead deer and not shown any respect anymore.
In the poem “Plums Are Falling,” a woman is yearning to be married off to anyone. Shedding light on how the ratio of men to women in that society was quite out of balance. Probably due to wars the number of men was quite low which lead to women having trouble finding partners, and also leading to the practice of polygamy.

Lustful Villains of the Ramayana

I have seen many Bollywood movies, hence I had some idea as to who Rama, Sita and Ravana are before I read The Ramayana for class. Rama and Sita are always portrayed as the ideal lovers, whereas Ravana - the name itself signifies something or someone evil. In fact, a lot of times in Bollywood movies the villain is compared to, or called Ravana.
The picture I had of Ravana in my mind was of a tyrant who abducts and rapes women. Though when Hanuman mentions that Sita was the only women Ravana had ever taken without her consent I started questioning the Hindu portrayal of Ravana. The fact that he does not over power Sita and rapes her when he easily can somehow made me appreciate him.
Looking deeper into the Hindu Religion I realized that for them to lust is a big sin. Connecting the dots, you can notice how in The Ramayana, every person who lusted for something or someone was portrayed as a bad person. Ravana’s sister who lusted for Rama got her nose cut off. Ravana who had everything in life one could want, yet lusted for Sita lost everything.
It was very confusing to me that Rama would go through such trouble to get Sita back, yet let her go based on suspicion that she might not be “pure” anymore. But then taking in consideration the society’s view towards lust and chastity it somewhat justifies Rama’s decision.

Sacrifice: The way to Nirvana -- Edited

One of the central themes in the Ramayana is that of sacrifice: sacrifice for one’s duties. In the Eastern World, to this day, duties to one's parents and spouse come before everything else. Throughout Ramayana duty conflicts many times with the characters personal wants. The ones portrayed as good sacrifice their personal desires for what they are ordained to do by Dharma. Dharma is a set of rules that ought to be carried out to ensure social and religious order within society. The belief of Dharma is strengthened by the story of Ramayana. Hence fulfilling the purpose of Vishnu’s reincarnation as Rama. Rama is portrayed as a Dharma-abiding king. He is a role model for his people. By giving up the throne and voluntarily going into exile Rama sacrifices power-gain for peace among his family. He doesn't care to put up a fight for it either since he has gotten his orders from his father. Whom he would never question as he is always supposed to show respect to his elders.  His love for Sita is highlighted throughout the story, though he gives her up when his people question her chastity. Again we see a sacrifice of love for duty. Sita on the other hand is portrayed as a role model for women. The way she always obliges to Rama’s wishes. How she goes through so much pain just to remain loyal to Rama is another Dharma code of conduct. She even walks through fire to prove her chastity when she is accused of not staying loyal to Rama. Lakshmana and Bharata through their love and respect for their elder brother give a good example of how brothers should always stay united and strengthens the bond of brotherhood. On a deeper level the Ramayana suggests that this life is a test and everyone is here to fulfill their respectful role. Hence to lead a fruitful life you must abide by Dharma so you get a reward for your sacrifices. It reinforces the belief of Dharma because the characters who strictly obliged to the code of Dharma are still venerated in Hindu belief system. 


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One of the central themes in the Ramayana is that of sacrifice. Sacrifice for one’s duties. In the Eastern World, to this day, duties to one's parents and spouse come before everything else. Throughout Ramayana duty conflicts many times with the characters personal wants. The ones portrayed as good sacrifice their personal desires for what they are ordained to do by Dharma. Dharma is a set of rules that ought to be carried out to ensure social and religious order within society. The belief of Dharma is strengthened by the story of Ramayana. Hence fulfilling the purpose of Vishnu’s reincarnation as Rama. Rama is portrayed as a Dharma-abiding king. He is a role model for his people. His love for Sita is highlighted throughout the story, though he gives her up when his people question her chastity. Again we see a sacrifice of love for duty. Sita on the other hand is portrayed as a role model for women. The way she always obliges to Rama’s wishes. Even walks through fire to prove her chastity. On a deeper level the Ramayana suggests that this life is a test and everyone is here to fulfill their respectful role.