"Yeah, that's what I was trying to say," Solvei agrees. "Well, the part about Antigone. I do think the societal context is relevant to Creon's characterization. The concept of the tragic hero isn't directly about divine law, but it is about making big mistakes that fuck you up in a big way, and Creon sure did do that."

"Creon does mess up, but are we supposed to pity him when he falls? That seems kind of important for a tragic hero." 

The teacher interjects here, clearly excited by the turn this is taking.

"Mr. Lahey has a good point. Can an antagonist be a tragic hero at all? Will an audience have the right reaction to Creon's downfall?"

"He's not the most sympathetic character around, but he is complex. I think they would've gone for it."

"Everyone can appreciate a good villain." 

"If it's a tragedy about Creon, they how should we feel about Antigone? It seems like you have to pick one, and it's Antigone I wish had been able to consider other people." 

"It's selfish to want justice and a proper burial?"

"The future matters more than the past. You don't die for the dead." 

"I see what you mean," says Solvei. "But I can respect Antigone for her commitment to her principles even if I don't agree with the particulars. I can imagine a situation where something was that important to me, and I hope I'd have the courage to risk being locked in a tomb for it."

"It takes courage to let someone lock you up now? No, the difference between courageous and crazy is that you don't try to take everyone else down so you can make a point."

"Maybe we should take a break," the teacher says softly.

"Yeah, agreed," says Solvei. "We seem to have strayed from the topic."

Kid in the back grumbles, but stays silent. 

"Let me see here...ah, yes. Many modern critics have discussed the role of Ismene as a balance between the loyalty of Antigone- to her father and to divine law- and the betrayal of Creon, who places mortal law above all else. Ismene wants peace, and to not cause any more shame or grief to fall upon their family. Why is Ismene the only member of this family to survive?"

"It seems like that's what she was after," says Solvei. "Which I also respect. She's not explicitly doomed by fate like Oedipus, which I'm sure helps, but she doesn't mess with forces beyond her control, she doesn't get into power struggles, she doesn't go above and beyond for her ideals, when everything's falling apart around her she just does what it takes to get through it. And it works."

"Why do you think she attempts to share her sister's punishment but not her crime? What would the contemporary audience have to say, and do you disagree?"

"Oh, I'm afraid that's all we have time for today. I hope future discussions can be just as stimulating."

"For the record, I'm sure my sociocultural analysis is shallow as hell," Solvei adds as the class begins to disperse. "I haven't had time to become a classics expert yet."

"If you have an interest, I'm sure I can find you some books to supplement your knowledge."

"Thanks, I appreciate it!"

Not everyone seems to appreciate it.

Literature Enemy doesn't comment, though.

"Hey, thanks for that. No one else had anything interesting to say, you pretty much saved the day."

"All in a day's work. I shouldn't have let it get personal, though."

"That's Isaac. He's always either scrunching up in terror or stabbing wildly at strangers. Kind of like a really aggressive hedgehog."

"Which suggests that he probably isn't a very happy person and I should be going out of my way to be nice to him. I prefer not to bring more suffering into the world if I can help it."

“Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act...there are more things in heaven and earth, Matthew." 

Time for Econ!