By Sophocles

"Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its katharsis of such emotions. . . . Every Tragedy, therefore, must have six parts, which parts determine its quality--namely, Plot, Characters, Diction, Thought, Spectacle, Melody." (Literature, p.85) -Aristotle

Antigone and Oedipus very well fit the description of Aristotle's definition of tragedy. They are very serious stories that have great magnitude. The speech is very lengthy and is usually drawn out. Many times it might take a couple of pages for the characters to complete a single thought. When Antigone says, "Do not spend fear on me, Shape your own course" (Antigone, p.4) she...