Essay on Antigone and Tragedy Archetypes and Art

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

Ismene once argued with her sister, “If in defiance of the law we cross a monarch 's will?--weak women, think of that, not framed by nature to contend with men” (Sophocles 49-68). Ismene did not realize then that she was speaking with of one of the greatest heroines and monarchs of modern feminism in all of literature. If any woman today dared utter the words above, they would face immediate contention from the herd of strong-willed females belonging to the 21st century. In Antigone, we see Antigone press forward with conviction in pursuit of justice and truth. She is met with great opposition, largely due to her gender. In the past 2500 years, society has evolved in monumental ways.

“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.” - Mario Puzo. The play “Antigone” by Sophocles demonstrates the paramount significance of unconditional love and loyalty to family, including keeping one’s promises. It also implies the lesson of never taking the loved ones in our lives for granted. “Antigone” takes place in Ancient Greece, and is so well told that I felt as if I were experiencing this tale for myself in the city of Thebes. The tragedy focuses on a young girl named Antigone, who has heard the news of her two brothers killing one another in a battle for control of Thebes. Her younger sister, Ismene, however, is a fascinating individual who refuses to help her older sibling give one of

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.

Reason and truth are never based on authority. Not even a supreme ruler can decide the right and wrong things to do. Antigone, in “Antigone” is set on honroing her dead brother even if it means going against her uncle Creon, resulting in a classic father or fatherly figure daughter conflict. In Sophocles’ play “Antigone”, the combination of Antigone’s stubborn loyalty and her uncle Creon’s hubris result in the main conflict, while also demonstrating that stubornness and pride lead to destruction.

The honor that Antigone wants to maintain for her family, coupled with the irreplaceable nature of family, outweigh her

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's argument at the beginning of the play is that their family has suffered enough, though morally were her tactics the ones that were compelling of being reckless. Family loyalty was obvious the key foundation to this epic , therefore making the main heroine center stage for it , Antigone. Antigone's fierce devotion is once more on full display when she professes that she will bury her brother Polyneices despite kreon's law. Antigone's fate seems to be predestined even from the beginning as Sophocles tells his audience that her brothers have slain each other in a war over their father's throne for that of power and title. Loyalty is a huge component when it comes to Antigone ,family devotion especially is a big element as she comes to terms to sacrifice her own life in the name of it.

Antigone presents a number of universals in the role of a female, family loyalty vs state loyalty, and man’s laws vs gods’ laws. Ismene’s change of heart is undependable because of her previous stance on the decree created by Creon. Ismene’s original stance on Antigone’s plan of action shows her justifiable fear towards Creon and the power of the man. Ismene’s sisterhood with Antigone is clearly caring and loving when the two first interact in private Ismene states her concern for her sister “ What’s the matter?/Trouble, clearly.

In the beginning, the author introduced Antigone and her sister, Ismene, and their argument about their recently deceased brother. The argument involved Antigone wanting to bury her brother and Ismene encouraging her to obey the King's orders. Antigone ignored her sister's advice and chose to

The main themes of Antigone are honor and bravery based on Antigone's actions to help her beloved brother even in tragedy. Antigone is the daughter of King Oedipus and sister to her brother Polynices, who has been required by law not be buried by the new king. A brave Antigone is determined to defy the law and fights for justice of her brother, "I am not afraid of the danger, if it means death/ It will not be the worst of deaths-death without honor." She also convinces her sister, Ismene to join her in the uprising, but Ismene refuses, fearing death will be the punishment for her as well.

Ismene, the vigorous girl of the family, does as told and follows the laws. When she finds out that Antigone is disobeying Creon, she becomes perturbed. Ismene says she cannot act against the law and that the consequences of acting against the laws put fears in her. Ismene being righteous interferes with her decision of whether to help her sister or not. Eventually Ismene recants and wants to help Antigone with the illegal burial of their brother Polyneices, unfortunately Antigone rejects. Ismene recanting angers her sister; She feels that Ismene should of chose her in the first place and now the option of helping no longer exists. Without the help of Ismene, Antigone obtains entanglement by the guard for the strenuous entombment of her brother

(Sopheles lines 499-509) Even though her life is at stake, Antigone demonstrates her will to stand up for what she believes is right. Her sister, Ismene, is initially unable to do this, exhibiting characteristics in direct contrast to Antigone’s personality. Ismene is a radiantly beautiful, talkative, outgoing, and well-behaved “good” girl. She does not fight for her beliefs, because she is too afraid of the consequences.

The personalities of the sisters Antigone and Ismene are as different as night and day. They each represent the limitations and expectations placed on a woman in a male dominated society. Throughout history, women have been placed in the shadows of men, to be seen and to speak when men allow it. In Sophecles, Antigone, the character Antigone is a heroic character resistant to the patriarchal society in which she lives in, while Ismene is content with the limitations and inferiority placed on herself being a woman, all displayed as they argue about where their loyalty should stand. The main difference between them lies mainly through Antigone’s willingness to change what she believes is wrong while Ismene tries to go through life silently without

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.