Antigone and Ulysses

The main characters in stories often have many differences but can represent similar ideas or themes. This contrast is shown throughout “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles and “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Antigone is determined to honor her brother while Ulysses is seeking for knowledge. Although Antigone and Ulysses come from two different stories and backgrounds they both illustrate the themes that sometimes, knowing that death is inescapable can change the way one approaches their life and living is often only meaningful if there is some quest.

In both readings, the main characters knew their end in advance which changed their outlook on their way of life. This is evident when Ulysses chooses to leave his people and his wife to sail the ocean with his crew. Ulysses knew he would die someday and wanted to live life to the fullest. He left his wife, whom he had made a promise to stay with forever. Alfred Lord Tennyson states, “Death closes all; but something ere the end, some work of noble note, may yet be done.”(51-52) He knew he was mortal and still believed there was more to his life than what he had already done. The idea of how death is inevitable is also evident when Antigone risks her life to honor her brother. All she wanted to accomplish was burying her brother because she did not want to die a coward. Antigone says to her sister, “Go thine own way; myself will bury him. How sweet to die in such employ, to rest- Sister and brother linked in love’s embrace- A sinless sinner, banned awhile on earth, but by the dead commended; and with them I shall abide for ever.” (69-76) Antigone approaches death without regret and even welcomes the idea. She is comfortable knowing how her life will end.

Another theme shown between these to work is how living is worthless without a purpose. This is apparent in how Ulysses wanted to go on one more journey with his crew before he died. Tennyson says, “Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite the sound furrows; for my purpose holds… until I die.”(57-61) Ulysses knows he has one foot in the grave, but still has time. He longs to go on one more journey and finds it vital to his happiness. The importance of a quest is also shown when Antigone will sacrifice anything to commemorate her dead brother against the law. Antigone says, “The worst that can befall is but