Conformity And Nonconformity In SophoclesAntigone

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

Finally on page 774, Antigone is still determined to give her loving brother, Polyneices, a proper burial when she says, “…as for me, I will bury the brother I love.” In this incident, Antigone is headstrong about giving her brother what he deserves, despite the fact that Ismene told her to obey the law. Antigone is acting as if she were a rebellious teenager because she is contradicting political laws to perform acts that would seem moral to her for the sake of Polyneices. Like the discussion Antigone had with her sister, she will remain being headstrong to whoever confronts her.

Love and bravery for her family is a key factor for her determination to give her brother a proper burial. She shows immense loyalty and will power as she fights for her family name. Her endurance is extraordinary as she declares "Naturally! Since Zeus never promulgated such a law, nor will you find that Justice, Mistress of the world below, publishes such laws on humankind. I never thought your mortal edicts had such force they nullified the laws of heaven..." (Sophocles 38). Antigone responds to Creon’s speech and disagrees with his proclamation denying Polynices a funeral. Polynices, hated by the entire country, is being deprived of an appropriate burial service and Antigone is determined to honor her brother correctly (Rose 219). The courage she displays is crucial factor in her character development. The devotion towards helping her brother is

While Antigone followed her belief of burying Polyneices for religious reasons, she went against the law of Kreon. Antigone new that the punishment for burying Polyneices was a stoning by the city’s people (Sophocles 36), but she chose to bury her brother anyway, claiming, “He has no business keeping me from what is mine” (Sophocles 49). Antigone’s lack of negotiation is why her civil disobedience is a failure. Her choice to bury Polyneice’s body without any attempt of finding common ground with Kreon is foolish. Although Antigone met with Kreon after being discovered burying Polyneices body, she never actually attempts to negotiate with Kreon, instead choosing to accept her punishment as something already set in stone. When Kreon first meets Antigone, he asks if Antigone admits to the deed (Sophocles 442). Antigone’s only response was, “I don’t deny it; I admit the deed was mine” (Sophocles 443). This shows that Antigone made her choice of civil disobedience and accepted her fate before exhausting all options. Rather than pleading with Kreon and

Antigone justified her civil disobedience of giving her dead brother Polyneices the decent burial which is against King Kreon's decree, by knowing well that she has violated the state's law by burying her brother. She then allegedly carries out an act against King Kreon's state law; but it is also an act in accordance to her own conscience

Antigone, placed in many situations throughout the play, has to choose between her family and the law. Antigone chooses to honor her brother, Polyneces, by

In the play titled Antigone, written by Sophocles, many examples of rebellion and conformity are prevalent throughout the progression of the play. This theme presents itself multiple times when characters are faced with decisions and consequences. The play begins immediately with the theme of rebellion when Polyneices is killed in a battle. Creon, the victorious attacker, prohibits the burial of Polyneices. But, Antigone disobeys his orders and buries her brother. She then must face the consequences of this rebellion, which is death. Antigone displays multiple different occasions when this theme is present, a few of which are; Antigone burying Polyneices and disobeying Creon’s orders, Creon forbidding

In life, humanity has the responsibility to adhere to the rules and regulations imposed upon it by a superior power. For the most part, this obedience breeds peaceful order and mutual understanding; however, when the body in control grows corrupt and enforces unjust laws, the people rightfully turn their thoughts to revolt. This is the case with Antigone, who was correct in her rejection of the inhumane ordinance proclaimed by King Creon. Her means are justified by her desperation to please the gods, her desire to honor her fallen brother, and her compulsion to perform what is morally right.

Antigone's loyalty to Ploynices makes her feel obligated to give him a proper burial. Antigone talks with Ismene, " The dead body of Polynices, miserably slain, they say it has been given out publicly none may bewail, none bury, all must leave unwept, unsepulchred, a dainty prize for fowl watch, gloating upon their prey!" (Sophocles 2). Antigone tells her sister that it is wrong for Creon to bury one of their brothers with honor and leave the other one as a meal for predators. Without her loyalty to her brother, Antigone would not have felt this strongly about his burial. This leads to Antigone disobeying the law. Her strong-will leads her to not caring if the burial of her brother goes against the king's orders, she believes in the more important Devine Law. Antigone answers Creon's question of why she disobeyed his law,"Because it was not Zeus who ordered it, nor Justice, dweller with the Nether Gods, gave such a law to men" (Sophocles 17). Antigone states that the law of the gods is higher than the law of the states. Her strong-will and beliefs lead her to disobey the law and stand up to Creon. But Antigone's self-image of loyalty, strong-will, and bravery kill her. She knows what she stands for and she will not let anything get in her way, even death. Antigone says to her sister, "You made your choice, to live; I mine, to die" (Sophocles 21). Antigone made her choice to die when she decided to bury Ploynices. In conclusion, burying her brother, breaking the law, and her own death, were all because of Antigone's self-image of

Devotion to one’s family is admirable and sometimes very difficult. In life we would love to protect our loved ones despite the laws. Unfortunately some times that is not possible. But, Antigone ignored Creon’s laws despite the possible repercussions. Her loyalty and respect for to Polynices was a true testament to the strength of her character. "I will bury him myself. And even if I die in this act, that death will be a glory." Antigone is strong willed and steadfast in her devotion. Unlike Antigone, her sister Ismene does not want to go against the law. Antigone response solidifies her faith saying, “Do as you like, dishonor the laws the gods hold in honor" (lines 91, 92). Antigone does not fear her fate. She represents a strong

In the first scene of the play, Antigone makes quite clear that she is going to bury her brother,

The human struggle to defy what is intrinsically wrong but established as permissible is openly apparent in the initial scenes of the play – strong-willed and brave-hearted Antigone reveals her plan to unlawfully bury her brother, only to be rejected and dismantled by cautious and law-abiding Ismene. Although Ismene is saddened by her brother's fate, nomos renders her helpless; social constructs have influenced her belief that their standings as women and individual citizens are no match for state law. Consequently, she is appalled that Antigone would even think of defying Creon, believing their brother's fate is out of their hands. She even warns her sister, "tis witless to be over busy."1 Her chance to rightfully bury Polyneices, and more importantly, to realize her innate responsibility to her kin, is temporarily barred by human-allotted law and practice.

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

The opening events of the play quickly establish the central conflict. Creon has decreed that the traitor Polynices must not be given proper burial, and Antigone is the only one who will speak against this decree and insist on the sacredness of family. 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. Creon’s first speech, which is dominated by words such as “principle,” “law,” “policy,” and “decree,” shows the extent to which Creon fixates on government and law as the

Antigone's sister reminds her she has no power in the law and if she is to be caught burying Polynieces she will be put to death. Being bull headed she does anyway. She was so stubborn that not even her only sister could stop her. After their argument Antigone even asks her sister if she wants to come with because Antigone thinks burying Polynieces is a respectable thing to do, she can not take a hint. And when she goes to defend herself in front of Creon she is so stubborn that she wants everyone to know that she has committed this crime for the gods and does not even defend herself but says she is guilty. This makes Creon even more mad because she knew exactly what she was doing.