The Phoenician Women: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Phoenician Women" is a dramatic work that explores themes of familial conflict, power struggles, and tragic fate through its major characters, primarily set in Thebes. Central to the story are Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus, whose rivalry culminates in a deadly duel after Eteocles refuses to relinquish the throne. Their mother, Jocasta, embodies maternal love and desperation, attempting to reconcile her sons but ultimately succumbing to despair as she witnesses their tragic fate. Antigone, their sister, displays loyalty and determination, vowing to honor her brother Polynices despite the consequences. Creon, Jocasta's brother, emerges as a figure of authority, taking charge of Thebes while grappling with the moral dilemmas posed by prophecy and familial loyalty. The roles of Tiresias, the prophet, and Menoeceus, Creon's son, further enrich the narrative, highlighting the interplay between fate and individual choices. Overall, these characters illustrate the complexities of human emotions and the inexorable nature of destiny within the context of a tragic familial saga.
The Phoenician Women: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Euripides
Genre: Play
Locale: Thebes
Plot: Tragedy
Time: The war of the Seven against Thebes
A Chorus of young women, maidens from Phoenicia dedicated to the service of Apollo. They have stopped in Thebes and have been detained by the war of the Seven against Thebes. They provide the historical perspective necessary to see the duel between the two sons of Oedipus as the last link in a long chain of Theban misfortunes.
Eteocles (ee-TEE-oh-kleez), the king of Thebes, the son of Jocasta and Oedipus. He and his brother Polynices had agreed to rule the city of Thebes in turn, but Eteocles has refused to give up the throne and Polynices has appeared with an Argive army to claim his right. Jocasta tries to reconcile the two brothers, but without success. Eteocles believes that might is right and will fight rather than give up his power. He is, as he admits, the typical dictator; at the same time he is young, rash, and ignorant in warfare. Creon, Jocasta's brother, helps him plan the defense of the city. In that defense he fights bravely, challenging his brother to single combat. The brothers kill each other. Eteocles' only affection, his love for his mother, is expressed in his dying moments.
Polynices (pol-ih-NI-seez), the exiled brother of Eteocles who, when Eteocles refuses to allow him his period of rule, marches against Thebes. He has justice on his side, as the Thebans and even Eteocles recognize, but he has allowed his wrongs to lead him to the unpardonable sin of attack on his homeland. Speaking to Jocasta before her attempted reconciliation between the brothers, he reveals that he still loves his country; his mother, sister, and father; and even his brother. He accepts Eteocles' challenge to single combat and is killed. Creon, following Eteocles'order, refuses burial for his body.
Jocasta (joh-KAS-tuh), the wife and mother of Oedipus. She tries unsuccessfully to reconcile her two sons by Oedipus. When she hears of their individual challenge, she calls her daughter Antigone from the house and the two leave, determined to make one last effort to prevent the conflict between brothers. She arrives in time to hear their final words; then, lamenting, she stabs herself and dies with them. Her actions and speeches are marked by restraint, except for her joy at the return of Polynices.
Antigone (an-TIHG-uh-nee), the daughter of Oedipus. She appears, accompanied by an old pedagogue, as a girl eager to observe the Argive forces assembled outside Thebes. Later, she views with Jocasta the combat between her brothers. She returns after her mother's death, rejects the proposed marriage with Creon's son, and willingly accompanies Oedipus into exile. She also swears to perform burial rites for Polynices.
Oedipus (EHD-ih-puhs), the son and later the husband of Jocasta. Although he appears only in the final scene, his presence dominates the play. Because they deposed and shut him up, he has pronounced on his sons a curse that is carried out in the action of the play. Antigone calls him forth and informs him of the death of his sons and of Jocasta. Creon, now the ruler of Thebes, orders him into exile because Tiresias has said that Thebes will not know prosperity as long as Oedipus remains within its walls. Oedipus' final speech is a lament of his fate.
Creon (KREE-on), the brother of Jocasta. He aids Eteocles in setting up the defense of Thebes and is told that he is to rule if Eteocles should be killed. When Tiresias informs him that Menoeceus, his son, must be sacrificed to ensure victory for Thebes, he tries to save his heir. At the end of the play, he appears to order Oedipus into exile and to carry out Eteocles' command that Polynices be denied funeral rites.
Menoeceus (meh-NEE-sews), the son of Creon. He hears Tiresias' prophecy that he must die to save Thebes, pretends to agree with his father's plan for his escape, and then states his intention to sacrifice himself for the city. He is the type of pure youth.
Tiresias (ti-REE-see-uhs), the Theban prophet who foresees the deaths of Polynices and Eteocles and the sacrifice of Menoeceus. He is the conventional prophetic figure but is realistically drawn.