Comparing The Chorus of Sophocles Antigone and Americas News Channels :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Comparing The Chorus of Sophocles' Antigone and America's News Channels The Greek Chorus is very similar to America's news channels because it brings the people the news in a way that they can understand it. The play Antigone by Sophocles is a tragic drama structured around the argument between a king and two sisters about the burial of their brother. Antigone can be compared to the conflict surrounding granting illegal immigrants amnesty. The Chorus is a group of people who provide background information, interpret the information, and relate it to human nature. The Chorus in Antigone tells the pros and cons of both sides of the story and adds important information needed to fully understand the conflict. The Greek Chorus serves the same functions as American news channels in the twenty-first century. Both a news channel and a Chorus provide background information during the telling of a story. After Antigone and Ismene converse about the burial of their brother, the chorus steps in setting the mood and providing background information. "Now the long blade of the sun, lying level east to west, touches with glory Thebes of Seven Gates. Open, Unlidded" (Sophocles 314). This shows that at that point in the play, it is morning and the sun has risen. It sets the tone and describes the setting for the next scene. On a news channel, background information is also provided. "Over eleven million illegal immigrants are already living in America" (Buchanan). This tells the viewer how serious the topic is by using such large numbers and giving facts. This statement will also-strike a nerve with many people because it is saying that 11 million people have committed the same crime their country. As you can see, there is a great similarity between the Greek and American way of providing b ackground information. American news channels and Greek Choruses both interpret information for viewers, so they can better understand different points of view. It is believed by the Greeks that Creon has a divine right to do whatever he wants. "If that is your will, Creon son of Menoikeus, You have the right to enforce it: we are yours" (Sophocles 316). Creon can do what he wants because the people will have to support his ideas because he is the great and powerful king with a divine right to rule.