HUMA 1105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Eye For An Eye, Madea, Hubris
9 Nov 2018
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HUMA 1105 - TUTORIAL 5
ANTIGONE ANALYSIS
KEY UNDERLYING THEMES:
OIKOS VS. POLIS
• The Greek terms oikos and polis are used to discuss two primary realms of classical Greek life
that loosely correspond to modern conceptions of public and private spheres, respectively.
• Oikos – the Ancient Greek equivalent of a household, house or family.
o The term oikos is a name for the Greek household, along with the sphere or relations and
activities directly attached to such, which moderns might call the domestic or private
sphere.
o Oikos as a unit was much larger than a modern family, usually including three
generations as well as slaves, livestock and a host of deceased ancestors.
o Wives were in charge of the house itself, while men were considered the most important
person in the house and family.
▪ E.g. Athenians as the people
o The oikos is associated with a number of unwritten rules or customs that may be loosely
termed oikos morality.
o It is also in some sense tied to honor and glory, for oneself and for one’s family
(household). These things are of primary importance.
o Loyalty to members of one’s oikos, and the principle of revenge justice (lex talionis) also
emerge as important aspects of the oikos sphere.
• Polis – a Greek city-state; broadly: a state or society characterized by a sense of community.
o The polis was an assemblage of houses, land and property that enabled the inhabitants to
lead a civilized life.
▪ E.g. Athens as a city
o However, the polis was much more than just a form of political organization – it involved
an entire cultural and spiritual system as well.
o The polis refers to the emergent city-state, with its rules, customs and attending morality.
o The notion of the polis as a civic community, involved, above all else, the voluntary
subordination of the individual and his needs and interests to the community and the
“common good”.
o The polis in some sense because the new individual, of which citizens were necessary but
ultimately subordinate parts.
o Polis morality is based upon the citizens’ unquestioning obedience to its laws, customs,
and institutions.
• The oikos and polis must not be seen as isolated, independent sphere, however; rather, the
oikos is the biological, social and economic basis of the polis.
o The oikos is the sphere of biological and economic sustenance, forming the natural and
material foundation for the polis.
• There has always been an element of oikos vs. polis.
o Whenever our personal wishes (free-will) comes into conflict with our professional
duties, that is an example of oikos vs. polis.
o E.g. Oikos vs. Polis in Madea
▪ Madea begins with crying from within the oikos, showing women’s confinement
by their household. Men enter from polis (outside), reflecting their wider
experience.
Document Summary
Athenians as the people: the oikos is associated with a number of unwritten rules or customs that may be loosely termed oikos morality. It is also in some sense tied to honor and glory, for oneself and for one"s family (household). Oikos vs. polis in madea: madea begins with crying from within the oikos, showing women"s confinement by their household. Men enter from polis (outside), reflecting their wider experience. Central theme of oikos vs. polis in antigone. In antigone, creon and antigone have distinct conflicting values. This is to ensure the safety of the people. By doing so, he has a strict manner towards crime and law: polynices" burial creates great controversy as king creon sets down stern laws, no one is to bury him because he was a traitor to thebes. Antigone (family/oikos: she goes against creon (the state), polynices is her brother and she is outraged. He could not let go of his power and look weak.
