But if we could only have know then what we know now....

Wow the half way point? Does not seem possible that we could have gotten that far already.

This course has been an interesting one for me for several reasons. This is the first time I have taken an online course and have had a bit of an adjustment period in terms of getting used to not having an in person relationship with my teacher and class mates. That being said, oddly enough I do still feel like I know many of you, and that I have had the unique privilege of being introduces to your souls before your faces through your writings. Even though we have not all sat in a physical classroom together I feel that the weekly discussions and blogs have done a good job of simulating that.

The most useful things I have learned so far are to recognize the use of binaries, and to read every story three times. I have started to see bodies of writing in a whole different way, similar to how you would view a flower if you were to sit and watch it bloom; the initial appearance is nothing compared to the complexities with which it will unfold. I am finding that every time I go back and re-read a story I learn more about the characters, the authors intention and even more about myself through what it is that reaches me each time.

I never anticipated learning about binaries or the importance of re-reading a story, therefor I can not say what it is exactly that I look forward to learning. All I can say is that I want more, whatever it may be, if it is knowledge then it is never in vain.

Thank you all for your contributions so far and I look forward to the remainder of this course and all the things left to be learned, both from Brenda and all of you.

The World English dictionary describes the following terms as:

 

Hamartia: “the flaw in character which leads to the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy.” Where Creon went wrong is when he disregarded the advice given to him and forbade a proper burial for Polyneices and in doing so spurred the revolt of Antigone that would ultimately lead to the death of his own family as well as his downfall.

Hubris: “an excess of ambition, pride, etc, ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin.” Such as is the case with Creon when he thinks he can treat people however he wishes and not suffer any consequences.

 

Catharsis: “the purging or purification of the emotions through the evocation of pity and fear, as in tragedy” This is portrayed when Antigone reveals to Haemon that they can not be married and that she has buried her brother and in doing so shows us that she puts her loyalties to her family before herself and will not allow her brother to be disrespected even after death.

Peripeteia: “an abrupt turn of events or reversal of circumstances” This is displayed when Creon looses both his son and his wife and falls from his power dues to his tyrant nature. This also is demonstrated when Antigone goes against the wishes of the king and buries her brother knowing full well the consequences this could have, this changes her path and foreshadows her own demise.

Anagnorisis: “the recognition or discovery by the protagonist of the identity of some character or the nature of his own predicament, which leads to the resolution of the plot; denouement.” Creon realizes his own faults too late when he learns of the death of both his wife and his son and only at this time does he grasp the extent to which he has wronged so many. The gravity of this realization leads him to beg for his own death. 

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 
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