Annotated Bibliography: Claudius and Creon: the Political Animal

Annotated Bibliography: Claudius and Creon: the Political Animals

Aristotle. Politics. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1959. Print.

In this collection of eight books originally written between 335–323 BCE, Book I is especially inspiring. Aristotle believes that man are natural political animals because he is the only creature in the nature world that possesse speech with a purpose. Claudius and Creon are villains in the play, but they both use language as tools to manipulate people around them. They persuade people, control situation, and maintain power. As a result, it gives reader the difficulties to see through their real purpose from the appearance they disguised by their deliberate speech.  

Jones, Howard M. The King In Hamlet. Austin: University of Texas Bulletin, 1918. Print.

            The book is published by the university six times a month. In this book, the author uses every way to alter the general “misunderstanding” of the minor character Claudius in Hamlet. The author overlooks the villain’s appearance as a competent ruler, a loving husband, and friendly stepfather, and ignores the fact that Claudius is the root of all the problems. On the other hand, the book proves that the villain’s eloquence could mislead reader seriously. The book lists six main charges against Claudius that are coming from critics, and makes an explanation for each of them. The author uses all the evidence from Claudius’ speech and demonstrates that Claudius’ language is his powerful resource to sustain his kingship.  

Sexton, Timothy. “Jean Anouilh's Antigone: Modern Tragedy Defined”. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.   

            This article is from the very first writer and expert of Jean’s modern drama. The article creates a big picture on how to define modern tragedy with classic tragedy; as a result, it provides the additional information on how the state force suppresses individual free will in the modern society. Creon represents the all-powerful state and established social order, and he is responsible for the cultivated, manipulated, and determined fate of today’s people. That is why he elaborates his political strategies and happiness theory over and over through the play, and also why he does not need to understand the individual free will from people like Antigone. This article clarifies the major conflict in modern tragedy, and leads reader to deeply understand Creon’s lengthy conviction.