Antigone Character Analysis

is right. Antigone is a tragic heroine who believes in her duty to her family and is willing to

Antigone was a Greek tragedy that ended in Antigone’s death along with her brother’s. In the beginning of the of the tragedy we learn of her brother’s death “Creon buried our brother Eteocles with military honors, gave him a soldier’s funeral, and it was right that he should; but Polyneices, they fought as bravely and died as miserably, they say that Creon has sworn No one shall bury him,” (LN 15-20). King Creon’s decision for not giving Polyneices a proper burial is because he was a traitor. However, that was Antigone’s brother and she felt besides Polyneices actions, he still deserved a burial. Antigone has lost her parents and just has her sister Ismene left so, despite the order handed down by Creon, Antigone feels that it’s still appropriate to give her brother a proper burial.

The opening events of the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, quickly establish the central conflict between Antigone and Creon. Creon has decreed that the traitor Polynices, who tried to burn down the temple of gods in Thebes, must not be given proper burial. Antigone is the only one who will speak against this decree and insists on the sacredness of family and a symbolic burial for her brother. Whereas Antigone sees no validity in a law that disregards the duty family members owe one another, Creon's point of view is exactly opposite. He has no use for anyone who places private ties above the common good, as he proclaims firmly to the Chorus and the audience as he revels in his victory over Polynices. He sees Polynices as an enemy to

The play Antigone, written by Sophocles, is a tragedy about Antigone, who defies the king’s order of her brother’s burial after. She shows her strength by using morality and the laws from the gods, not Creon. He is the new king, who became hungry for power and was being obstinate to everyone that wanted to just do what is open-minded. However, characters like Haemon, acts as a foil character to him and wants to do what’s right and just, brings out Creon’s tragic flaws of stubborness, and advances the plot with his conflicts relating to the king.

Like Creon, Antigone also never falters in standing up for what she believes in. Although Creon fights for stubborn pride, Antigone is trying to promote what is right and shows her higher reverence for God’s law rather than for Creon’s laws. In the eyes of the townspeople, Chorus, Choragos, and Haimon, Antigone is sacrificing herself to give her brother Polyneices the rightful honors due to the dead. Many side with this brave, honorable girl because she would rather suffer persecution and even death rather than give into Creon’s illogical demands. In the play, the chorus says about her, “You have made your choice, Your death is the doing of your conscious hand”. Antigone knew of the consequences before she acted and in doing so she chose her fate. At the time, she pleaded her sister Ismene to help her bury Polyneices but was rejected. Despite being alone in trying to rebel and perhaps she may have been afraid, Antigone goes out of her way and puts her life on the line to bring her brother respect.

Haemon rushes at Creon and takes a misstep and falls on his blade, slaughtering himself. At the point when learned of the news Eurydice takes her own particular life, leaving Creon and Antigone's sister Ismene the main individuals from the family left. Feeling unworthy, Creon surrenders the throne, and therefore Ismene is allowed all to sit alone, this is the place the story

Antigone got out and stood out for what she believed in, Antigone claims “He [Creon] has no right to keep me from my own” which meant she will be burying Polynices despite what law the king has set. Ismene thought otherwise, she says to Antigone, “O think, Antigone; we are women; it is not for us to fight against men; our rulers are stronger than we, and we must obey this […] I can do no other but as I am commanded”. Ismene is characterized as “feminine”, a hopeless and helpless woman that has no business in political authority. Ismenes words did not make Antigone happy, she fights back, “No; then I will not ask for your help, nor would I thank you for it, if you gave it. Go your own way; I will bury my brother; and if I die for it, what happens!”.

After Antigone had been caught by the sentry, Creon’s son, Haemon proceeds to converse with his father about the punishment of Antigone. Haemon does not agree with Creon’s punishment, and argues that the people of Thebes would be angered by Creon’s actions, causing him to respond by saying: “The people of Thebes!/ Since when do I take my orders from the people of Thebes?”

Antigone is a play about a woman who disobeyed the King's order to not bury her brother. The play was written by the famous Greek tragedian, Sophocles, in 441 B.C. The story took place in the city of Thebes and the time period is not mentioned. The main characters introduced in the play are of Antigone, Ismene, Creon, and Haemon. The primary focus was centered on Antigone and the consequences she faces after breaking the King's orders.

One perspective of oppression in Antigone is demonstrated through the conflict between Creon and Antigone regarding the burial of Polyneices, Antigone’s brother. Creon is the king of Thebes, and constantly has to assert his power, even if it means suppressing others’ opinions. When Antigone disagrees with his decree of allowing the burial of only one of her brothers, she defiantly performs a burial ritual for the other. Creon is outraged and issues the punishment of death upon Antigone, and condemns her sister Ismene for the same crime “for they are but women, and even brave men run when they see death coming” (Sophocles 460-465). It is clear that the main issue is not about Antigone breaking the law; but that she is an inferior woman who is expressing her opinions against someone of a higher standing. Creon oppresses Antigone for her gender and refuses to acknowledge her perspective because he would rather “lose to a man, at least”

In the third episode of Antigone, the scene starts out with a conversation between Creon and Haemon. First Haemon enters the room, and Creon asks if he hates him or loves him despite the choice he made. Haemon assures Creon that no marriage means more to him than Creon’s wisdom. After Haemon’s words of being, Creon was beyond pleased to hear this come out of his son. After the saying of this, he starts saying mean things about Antigone, calling her “a hellcat” and she is evil.” Haemon then talks to Creon about his stubbornness. He tells him that the people of the town have been saying his decision is foolish, his temper scares them, and that they believe Antigone should be honored, rather than killed. The Choragus says that they both should

Antigone also shows the tendency to assert her own authority and not listen to others who are trying to protect her which makes it really easy to not be very sympathetic towards her in comparison to Kreon. In the beginning of the play, Ismene cautions Antigone about the consequences of her burying her brother and decides that she will not do it to protect herself. Antigone refutes her claim stating that Ismene will “be a hateful enemy to me” (24). By rejecting Ismene, she practically rejects someone who simply wants to just have peace for once. Their cursed family has suffered through many tragedies and misfortunes, and Ismene simply does not want to be associated with another one. Antigone also shows this lack of trust with her individualistic persona which results in this lack of trust in anyone but herself. This

Not only is Antigone courageous and highly motivated by her morals by standing up for her political and religious beliefs, she also protects her personal ones when she buries her brother. Antigone places family above her own life, and she refuses to let a man stand in her way of maintaining her ideals. She buries Polynices out of her own loyalty to her brother even after her sister, Ismene, refuses. Antigone is cruel to her for not taking part in illegally burying their brother. Instead of being caring and considerate, she becomes irate and at the end of their conversation says, "Go away Ismene: I shall be hating you soon, and the dead will too, for your hateful words," Antigone's flaw was her headstrong behavior and her stubbornness, which ultimately brought about her downfall and the downfall of those around her. Her persistence of course, is what forces Antigone to rashly take matters in to her own hands. Creon then decides to take Antigone's life "Away with her at once, and close her up in her rock-vaulted tomb. Leave her and let her die". To everyone's surprise Antigone does not run from her death sentence suggesting a great trait of braveness, which the chorus recognizes before her exodus from life. The notion that a person has no say in the affairs of their loved ones and the fact that those laws were defied deserves

disapproval but also against the King’s law. Antigone is very loyal and family oriented and takes

Antigone is the sister of Oedipus. Since Oedipus married his mother only, Antigone is also his daughter. Antigone and her sister Ismene are the last ones of the Labdacus family, after the death of Oedipus and his brothers. Her father went into exile, then Antigone and Ismene were in the King Creon’s house. Antigone’s brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles damaged deeply each other in the greed of power and money. Creon declared an unjustifiable decision. Eteocles will be honoured with burial because he defended the Thebes. Whereas Polyneices' will be left between the vulture and dogs to die. It is this injustice that drives Antigone to oppose the state, because she believes her brother Polyneices also deserves the same treatment as Eteocles. Antigone seems to be too self-satisfied, even devolve. But, she is also influential feminist, able to decide neutrally what is right and what is not regardless of that thing is related to what. Indeed, Antigone is an eye-catching personality and a good human being. Her acts expanded the possibilities of human action against the