Pride of Pentheus, Antigone and Oedipus

Introduction

Hubris, excessive pride or arrogance, is a recurring theme in Greek mythology, driving the narratives of various characters and leading to their eventual downfall. This essay explores the manifestations of hubris in the characters of Pentheus, Antigone, and Oedipus, drawing comparisons and contrasts between their respective displays of arrogance and the consequences they face. While each character exhibits hubris, the unique ways in which it manifests itself contribute to their individual tragic fates.

Pentheus

Pentheus, the newly appointed authoritarian king of Thebes, grapples with the rising influence and peculiar rituals surrounding Dionysus. His desire to assert his authority and suppress these ecstatic rituals, which he perceives as a direct threat to his rule, ultimately seals his tragic fate. Early in the play, Tiresias, the kingdom's seer, warns Pentheus not to overstep his bounds and to respect Dionysus as he would other gods. Tiresias admonishes,

"No, we don't play at theologians with the gods. We stay close to the hallowed tenets of our fathers, old as time. Nothing can undo them ever. I don't care how brilliant or abstruse the reasons are" (Euripides 404).

This warning serves as a pivotal moment, highlighting the clash between Pentheus' hubris and divine will. However, Pentheus disregards this caution and commits an act of sacrilege by destroying a sylvan altar and detaining Dionysus. In his interrogation of Dionysus, he receives another warning about defying the gods by persecuting one favored by them. Dionysus ominously declares,

"Very well, I'll go along with this wrongful, undestined destiny, but remember this: Dionysus, who you say does not exist, will wreak revenge on you for this" (Euripides 417).

The climax of the story occurs when Dionysus manipulates Pentheus' curiosity and voyeuristic tendencies, leading him to his gruesome death at the hands of intoxicated Theban women. Dionysus attributes Pentheus' tragic demise to his hubris, stating,

"The sins of jealousy and anger made this Pentheus deal unjustly with one bringing blessings, whom he disgracefully imprisoned and insulted; and so he met his end at the hands of his own kin—an unnatural end and yet a just one" (Euripides 453).

Antigone

Antigone, in stark contrast to Pentheus, demonstrates her hubris in a different manner. Instead of embracing authoritarian ideals like Creon, the new leader of Thebes, Antigone's excessive pride and stubbornness fuel her actions. She firmly believes in the necessity of giving her brother a proper burial, a duty she believes transcends both temporal and divine authority.

Antigone's hubris lies in her defiance of established laws and traditions. By burying her brother, she assumes the role of the gods, contributing to her own tragic fate. She does not approach Creon with tact and diplomacy, as demonstrated by Haemon, but instead makes the burial rights a public issue. Both Antigone and Creon are ensnared in a personal struggle marked by stubbornness, and their actions are driven by hubris. The chorus aptly observes,

"Surpassing belief, the device and cunning that man has attained, and it bringeth him now to evil, now to good" (Sophocles 14).

Oedipus

Oedipus, perhaps the most overtly hubristic of the three characters, displays his arrogance through his temper and impulsiveness. His relentless pursuit to uncover his past is driven by his grandiose pride and ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.

From the outset, Oedipus exhibits arrogance when he travels to the oracle of Delphi against warnings, questioning the gods' authority due to his inflated self-image as a ruler. His story exemplifies the volatile nature of human prosperity found in tragedies. Oedipus experiences extreme highs and lows in rapid succession, reflecting the gods' capricious justice. This rollercoaster of fate, coupled with Oedipus' stubborn and arrogant pursuit of knowledge, is at the heart of his hubris.

Ironically, Oedipus himself acknowledges the powerlessness of mortals against the will of the gods, stating,

"True; but to force the gods against their will that is a thing beyond all power" (Sophocles 57).

However, he fails to realize that his actions are precisely doing that, and it's only when his hubris is punished, resulting in his literal loss of eyesight, that he gains true insight.

Comparative Analysis

While each of these tragic figures demonstrates hubris in their respective stories, it is essential to delve deeper into the nuances of their arrogance and how it contributes to their ultimate downfall. By comparing and contrasting their hubris, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse ways in which pride can lead to tragic consequences.

Pentheus vs. Antigone

Pentheus and Antigone, though inhabiting different Greek tragedies and facing distinct circumstances, share certain similarities in their displays of hubris. Both characters exhibit an unwavering determination to assert their beliefs and authority, even when in direct conflict with divine will and societal norms.

Pentheus, as the authoritarian king of Thebes, seeks to suppress the worship of Dionysus, viewing it as a challenge to his rule. His pride is rooted in his perceived dominion over earthly matters. Similarly, Antigone's hubris is evident when she defies the edict of Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, to bury her brother Polynices. Her actions are driven by her unwavering belief in the moral duty to honor her family and the gods.

Both Pentheus and Antigone, in their hubristic pursuits, disregard the warnings of wise figures in their respective stories. Tiresias advises Pentheus against opposing the gods, while Haemon attempts to reason with Creon on behalf of Antigone. Despite these cautionary voices, both characters remain steadfast in their decisions, ultimately leading to their tragic ends.

However, it is essential to note a crucial difference in their hubris. Pentheus' arrogance is rooted in his desire for power and control, while Antigone's stems from her unwavering adherence to her moral principles. This contrast highlights the multifaceted nature of hubris and serves as a reminder that excessive pride can manifest in various forms, sometimes in direct opposition to authority and at other times as a quest for it.

Pentheus vs. Oedipus

Pentheus and Oedipus exhibit different degrees and expressions of hubris. Pentheus' arrogance arises from his newly acquired authority as king and his determination to suppress Dionysian worship. Oedipus, on the other hand, displays hubris through his relentless pursuit of knowledge and the truth about his identity.

Pentheus' pride leads him to directly challenge divine authority, especially that of Dionysus. His actions are characterized by defiance and an attempt to assert his earthly power over the gods. In contrast, Oedipus initially believes he can outsmart the gods' prophecies, inadvertently fulfilling them in his quest to avoid them.

Oedipus, despite his tragic flaw, initially seeks the truth to save Thebes from a plague, showing a noble intention behind his actions. This contrasts with Pentheus, whose hubris primarily serves his personal desire for control and dominance.

Another significant difference lies in the characters' awareness of their hubris. Oedipus, as the story unfolds, gradually comes to realize the extent of his arrogance and the role it played in his tragic fate. Pentheus, however, remains defiant and unrepentant until the very end, refusing to acknowledge his hubris even as he meets his gruesome demise.

Antigone vs. Oedipus

While Antigone and Oedipus represent different genders and familial roles within their respective stories, their hubris shares common elements. Both characters exhibit a strong sense of duty and determination, believing that their actions are morally justified, even when confronted with opposition from authoritative figures.

Antigone's hubris emerges from her unwavering commitment to bury her brother, Polynices, despite Creon's decree. She sees herself as a defender of familial honor and divine law, a duty that supersedes any human-made edicts. Similarly, Oedipus embarks on his relentless quest to uncover his true identity, driven by a desire to save Thebes from the plague and to fulfill his perceived duty as a king.

However, a notable distinction between them is the role of self-awareness. Oedipus, as his story progresses, gains insight into his own hubris and accepts responsibility for his actions. In contrast, Antigone remains steadfast in her belief that she is upholding a higher moral law, refusing to compromise or acknowledge her defiance as hubris.

Conclusion

In Greek mythology, hubris is a universal theme that transcends time and culture. The characters of Pentheus, Antigone, and Oedipus exemplify the destructive consequences of hubris, reminding us of the enduring relevance of these ancient stories. As we reflect on their tragic fates, we are reminded of the age-old wisdom that excessive pride can blind us to our own downfall, regardless of the motivations behind our actions. The lessons derived from these characters continue to resonate, serving as timeless warnings against the perils of hubris in the human condition.