Reversal and Recognition in Antigone and Othello

Antigone and Othello show us two outstanding examples of recognition and reversal. In each story, the protagonist goes through a life altering event in which he sees things through a somewhat tinted lense. As we near the end of the story, the events change and finally the character is able to see that he has made a mistake. In a more perfect world, it would not be too late to change what the outcome will be. Sadly, the recognition in these two dramas happens too late for either man to correct the situation.
In Antigone, Creon’s reversal begins when Teiresias finishes his speech. Teiresias gives an alarming account of what is going to happen to Creon for sentencing Antigone to death. He prophesizes that Creon will not see many days before the death of one of his own children, to make amends for the life that he is about to take. He also says that “Not many hours will pass before your house / Rings aloud with lamentation, men and women” (Antigone lines 1078-9), f...