A Retórica do Conflito: uma análise dos apelos retóricos em Antígona, de Sófocles

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the rhetorical appeals of éthos, páthos, and lógos in Sophocles' tragedy Antigone, through an approach based on Aristotelian rhetoric and the contemporary theories of Robert Alexy and Chaïm Perelman. The work is a milestone in Greek dramaturgy and profoundly explores the clash between divine laws and human laws, as represented by the characters Antigone and Creon. Through their speeches, both construct their positions using different persuasive strategies: Antigone appeals to morality and family values, while Creon relies on political logic and the maintenance of order. The analysis examines how Antigone builds her credibility (éthos) based on familial and religious duty, evoking emotions such as compassion and fraternal love (páthos), whereas Creon seeks to reinforce his authority by appealing to fear and the necessity of civil obedience. Furthermore, the analysis of rational arguments (lógos) reveals the conflict between the morality of divine laws, defended by Antigone, and the need to preserve political order, upheld by Creon. Finally, the article concludes that the tragedy of Antigone is a timeless study on the limits of authority, the importance of emotions in the construction of justice, and the need for a balance between different rhetorical appeals for a harmonious society.