Analysis Of ' Antigone ' By Sophocles

Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, the king that married his own mother, Locaste and unwittingly killed his father, Laios. When he learned what he had done, he blinded himself and left Thebes, voluntarily went into self-style exile and died over there. Antigone and Ismene are siblings, the only surviving children of Oedipus. The other two brothers Polyneices and Eteocles quarreled and killed each other in a battle when Polyneices returned to assault Thebes, then Creon, Antigone uncle became the king of Thebes being the only heir in line to the throne. Creon ordered Polyneices be left to rot unburied on the battle field as a traitor but Antigone could not see reason to let her brothers body rot unburied. Antigone

“Your temper terrifies them” (Sophocles 222). In Sophocles’ tragedy “Antigone”, Creon, the obstinate king of Thebes, embodies the stereotypical monarch. Ancient Athens, where Sophocles called home, used plays to educate their audience and persuade them to think a certain way; thus, Sophocles wrote of the struggle between Creon, and his son, Haimon, from the perspective of a member if a democratic government. Sophocles sought to influence his audiences political beliefs by creating the character Creon, the King of Thebes’, whose power hunger and temper makes monarchies appear absurd; however, strengthening stereotypes as a political weapon did not cease in Ancient Greece. In the past century, American screenwriters have

While Antigone represents a full devotion to humanism, her sister, Ismene, represents not only the rejection of it, but also passivity towards the notion of morality which, in a sense, is equivalent to Creon’s treachery towards what we hold morally sacred. Ismene has long been used as a symbol of both anti-politics and anti-humanism, which creates a dynamic plot by contrasting the cowardly fear to stand up for one’s concept of what is right with a brazen display of self-fulfilled justice. (2) What’s worse may be Ismene’s knowledge of her cowardliness and complete complacency, as seen when talking to Antigone about her plan to bury their slain brother when sharing her fear of punishment, " Think how we’ll die far worse than all the rest, if we defy the law and move against the

Sophocles’ play “Antigone” illustrates the conflict between obeying human and divine law. The play opens after Oedipus’ two sons Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other in a civil war for the throne of Thebes. Oedipus’ brother in law Creon then assumes the throne. He dictates that Eteocles shall receive a state funeral and honors, while Polyneices shall be left in the streets to rot away. Creon believes that Polyneices’ body shall be condemned to this because of his civil disobedience and treachery against the city. Polyneices’ sister, Antigone, upon hearing this exclaims that an improper burial for Polyneices would be an insult to the Gods. She vows that Polyneices’ body will be buried, and Creon declares that anyone who

This Sophocles tragedy seemed to touch many readers. This tragedy has made many people in present and antiquity rethink their purpose in life. This story also intended to raise many questions. One question that I will discus is what means more to you, social acceptance or staying true to your beliefs? This classic tragedy that I am referring to is called Antigone. This fascinating story touches many subject of social and religious matter. I will discuss the tragic turmoil of Antigone, her surrounding family, and the social and religious dilemma that Antigone faces that will ultimately decide her fate.

Throughout Antigone, Antigone is a presented as a strong woman who is both dedicated to her family and her community. That said, there is much conflict between these two dedications. In this paper, I will give examples of Antigone’s different individual responsibilities and her philosophies and explain how those conflict with the commitment that she is to have to her community and indirectly, her king. Ultimately, I will argue that Sophocles demonstrated his values of family, the way of the gods, and doing what is right through Antigone’s response to the conflicts between her values and the commitment she is meant to have towards her community.

Antigone as the daughter of Oedipus, the sister of Ismene, and the powerful strong sister to her dead brothers Eteocles and Polyneices that has committed the crime of wanting to bury her brother. Her flaws have caused her this damage and may be killed by it but she soon realizes that she accepts her mistakes. She says don't worry that she will soon be with her own again soon in a different place which is with the people she cares most about and the one she committed this crime for. Antigone will never be able to forget what she has done but shall learn from her mistakes and be humbled by what she has done and what Creon has said to her. Be wise with your actions and learn from mistakes and not only that to listen to the wise ones and pick the

Ismene believes that Kreon’s law is above all else, even though she knows it is wrong to not lay rest to.her brother. Each sister plays a role, Ismene is the girl who was apart of society who was obedient and timid, while Antigone is witty and stubborn

Ismene originally did not want to fall into the same pit the rest of her family fell into with the public shame they all felt, she reminded Antigone of this by saying, “think of how our own father died, hated,/ his reputation in ruins,” but soon turns to her family’s side when her sister is faced with death. She decides to join her sister on the brink of death saying, “but now you face such dangers… I’m not ashamed/to sail through trouble with you,/make your troubles mine,” but this is not a dependable change of heart. This change in plans to die for a crime she had nothing to do with was not a true shift in loyalties, but instead she wanted to die with her sister. Ismene made it evident she did not believe in what was happening, but that she wanted to die with her sister, which is a shift in family loyalty compared to her original stance, but overall she did not fully believe in the cause for which they were dying because she did not partake in the actual crime. Ismene becomes an unusual female figure with the strength it took to change her mind, and die with her sister, as well as a shift in family loyalty, but she still had a strong belief in state

As the play transpires Ismene’s courage is revealed through her standing by Antigone’s side while she receives her punishment of execution. Although Ismene wasn’t opposed to honoring her brother she tried to convince Antigone not to go against the law “We are ruled by more powerful people and must obey them… I yield to those who walk with authority.” (Page 15), this shows the people of Thebes fear to disobey the king.

She first chose to follow the law, which is not wrong- people should follow laws. According to the play, “To announce it publicly; and the penalty –– Stoning to death I the public squarel.” First of all, the law was already announced to public by the new king, and the king made the law really clear that anyone who tries to break the law would die by punishment. No one wants to take risks- same as Ismene. When Antigone, Ismene’s sister, tried to break the law, Ismene wanted to stop her, and she said “We are only women, We cannot fight with men.” At that time period, women’s social position is low. Therefore, Ismene actually made a right decision because she has no power. She tried to stop her sister because

Additionally, Ismene also gets punished due to Antigone’s actions even after obeying her superior’s orders. As a result, Creon states that “[he will] execute them” (43). Moreover, Ismene is punished with the shame of the actions she has caused. She stood up to Antigone and partially blamed herself for their brother’s burial as she didn’t want to be left alone. Ismene therefore “bear(s) [her] share of blame” (45) and suffers from Antigone’s actions. Ismene wasn’t the only character who embodied a traditional attitude as Sophocles introduces a similar male character.

When the story starts there is a talk between Ismene and the main character Antigone the sisters in the play of Oedipus. While the two talk the audience learns the two have lost their Dad in war and both of their brothers Polyneices and Eteocles to the hands of each other. The audience then finds out one of the brothers, Polyneices, has been left out dead on a field without a respectful burial. When you hear this the audience begins to feel compassion for the sisters Antigone and Ismene, Both have lost their brothers and father really at the same time.

In contrary Ismene is docile and someone who follow the laws at all costs. She said, “we are women” stating a woman’s position in society and obligated to obey by the law. She doesn’t agree with her sister Antigone, since is prohibiting for women to have a voice during those times. Ismene believe that women should never violate the laws of man who were guide by the gods. Antigone will carry out the forbidden burial alone, nevertheless she seeks futilely the complicity of her sister Ismene. Ismene without endorsing the established power by King Creon, discreetly folds to it, became a passive collaborator of the system implemented by him.

Antigone’s sister Ismene proves to be defiant towards Creon as well, (although to a lesser extent than her sister) when she decides not to reveal her sisters plan to bury their brother. Ismene also displays fearlessness, although she