Core Values In Antigone By Sophocles

In Sophocles’ piece, King Kreon prohibited the burial of Polynices, Antigone’s brother, because he was seen as a traitor to his country. Antigone blatantly disobeyed King Kreon’s proclamation because she thought that Polynices ought to be buried not only because he was blood- family, but because the gods law states that burial is a necessary ceremony. Her sister, Ismene, tried to warn her of the trouble she could find herself in, if King Kreon finds out that it was Antigone who had buried her brother, the traitor. (Blondell, 21). In addition, Antigone does not hesitate to admit to this illegal deed when the guards catch her in the act (Blondell, 37,38). While she acted out of respect for her brother and the gods, it was selfish in the fact that she was only thinking of herself. She did not hesitate to disregard King Kreon’s law and did not take any factor into consideration. Antigone accepted that her life was the price to pay for her civil disobedience, but her actions also, unintentionally, led to the death of two other people. Although, in the end, King Kreon sees that Antigone was right, the reason for which she had fought, and ultimately lost her life for, had no significant positive effect on anyone else.

Antigone’s self-certainty is one of her mistakes that contribute to her tragic fate. She regards burying dead people as absolute just behavior under any circumstance. This rite is important in Ancient Greek culture, but weather or not gods desire appropriate arrangement of Polyneices’ body is under question. It is Zeus that brings death to Polyneices because

Antigone has the strong belief that loyalty to the dead and to the gods has precedence over all other opinions, specifically those of Creon. Antigone does not at all care that the one with all governing power has the most disagreement with her decision to remain devoted to her family below. “Since I must please those below a longer time than the people here, for I shall lie there forever” (Sophocles 16). She knows and understands that time in the mortal world has a limit, however time in the underworld is eternal. Pleasing Creon and his belief to only stay true to civil laws are of no concern to Antigone, for all she wants is to please her family below and the gods above. An example of this is the burial of Polynices, because while it is right in Antigone’s eyes, Creon believes it is foolish and a sin

Antigone’s motivation is love for her family- she puts it above all else. In fact, she is willing to sacrifice her life to defend that love. Antigone goes to great lengths to bury her deceased brother, who according to an edict issued by King Creon, died in dishonor, consequently making it illegal for anyone to bury his body. Through her actions to comply with her motivations, it is revealed that Antigone’s actions are also fueled by her strong beliefs that, first, the gods’ laws

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

Even though Antigone exhibits a blamable pride and a hunger for glory, her disobedience is less serious than those of Creon. It is evident that Antigone’s actions are driven by a love for her brother, and a desire to please the gods. While Creon’s actions are

Antigone’s determination did not allow her be afraid to face Creon, instead she was courageous when he asked her “I am here to say no to you and die.” (A. 50). Also, Antigone’s determination is what is allowing her to believe that she has done the correct action even if others do not think so or think of her as a foolish woman as she states “think me a fool if you like; but it may well be that a fool convicts me of folly.” (A.49). Although Antigone did not obey Creon’s decree, she was very positive that she would not be called guilty as a traitor since she firmly stated that “no one will ever convict me for a traitor.” (A. 47). Throughout all of this, she remained courageous and determined so in the end she successfully reaches her goal in burying her brother’s body.

The story of Antigone deals with Antigone’s brother who’s body has been left unburied because of crimes against the state. The sight of her brother being unburied drives Antigone to take action against the state and bury her brother regardless of the consequences. The concept of the Greek afterlife was far more important and sacred than living life itself. Everything they did while they were alive was to please the many gods they worshipped. They built temples for their Gods, made statues to symbolize their Gods, and had a different God to explain things that we now say are an act of mother nature. Antigone percieved her actions to be courageous and valid, and Kreone, the King, percieved them as blasphemous. The entire story focuses on

As I see it, Antigone had every right to perform a burial for Polyneices. She was not trying to deliberately upset or disobey Kreon, but she knew she had to do what she felt was right in her heart. She was aware of the consequences and she still followed through with it, therefore, it clearly meant a lot to her. Burying her brother, respecting the gods, and standing up to Kreon demonstrates her true defiant character for staying loyal to herself and to family, no matter the outcome. It could not have been easy for Antigone to challenge Kreon who is her uncle and also the King of Thebes. This showcases how strong and courageous she is for not being afraid or ashamed to tell Kreon what she's done. A quote by Antigone on page 40 and lines 499-507 of Sophocle's play states "Then what's delaying you? For there is nothing in your words that's pleasing to me-may there never be! And naturally you disapprove of mine as well. Yet how could I have won more glorious renown than by the act of placing my own brother in a tomb? These people here would say my action pleases all of them, if fear did not lock up their tongues. But this is one of kingship's many blessings-that it can both act and speak just as it wishes to." After Kreon discovers that Antigone is the one responsible for the burial of Polyneices, Antigone is essentially telling Kreon that she knows he disagrees with her actions, but she has no regret and he should just take her away and kill her because she is content and proud of herself for

For Antigone, loyalty to her family was more important than any law. Antigone plans on burying Polyneices to honor the gods but Creon made a law that no one could bury Polyneices. Antigone wants Ismene to help her bury their brother but Ismene does not

Creon, the king, has recently issued a ban for the burial of Polyneices (Antigone’s brother). Creon believes that Polyneices was traitor and that traitors shouldn’t receive a proper burial. Antigone’s selfish and stubbornness lead her to her to her downfall after she buries her brother. Through the course of the play Sophocles has shown us that Antigone is a tragic hero. Antigone’s

Antigone chose to give her brother Polyneices a proper burial even though it was against the king’s law. She tried talking her sister Ismene to join her on her quest because Polyneices was both of their brothers, but Ismene did not want to disobey Kreon’s order (Blondell 19-24). This left Antigone to handle this on her own, which takes a lot of courage and dedication to what she believes in. Antigone went on with her plan to bury Polyneices and his body was eventually found by a guard (Blondell 30). When the guard brought the news to Kreon he was furious and the Chorus had suggested it was a Gods doing, which led me to believe that they did not think anyone one else was willing to risk it all by not listening to their kings orders (Blondell 32). A good lesson to learn from Antigone is that even if you break the law you have to admit your doing especially when you know what you did was morally right and what you stand for as an individual. When Antigone was accused of breaking the law and burying Polyneices she did not even hesitate saying, “I don’t deny it; I admit the deed was mine.” (Blondell 38). She even goes on to tell King Kreon that his choice to not allow the burial of Polyneices is morally wrong and how he is disobeying the God Zeus who is offended by improper treatment of a corpse (Blondell 38). Though Antigone knows the consequence for disobeying the king, she continues to fight for her brother’s honor and makes sure to point out the king’s foolish decision. Even in her last words she questions what kind of men can make suffer and then gives her respects to the town, gods, and rulers.

“I do. I deny nothing.” In the play Antigone, the main character Antigone has a strong belief in her core values. The belief in her core values was so strong that it even caused her death. The play Antigone takes place and was written in 500 B.C.E. It is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. Antigone also has flaws like she is very stubborn and to loyal. Loyalty is a good virtue but too much can be a flaw. Antigone has many core values, but some of them outshine the others. One of her core values is that she has a strong commitment of loyalty to her family. Another core value is her strong commitment of her loyalty to ownership . A final core value of hers out of many is that she has a belief that dying with honor is important. While Antigone has flaws, her beliefs and following in her core values outshine her flaws and influence her choices through the play.

Her values of following the gods rather than obeying Creon’s decree was a reason Creon saw her as a traitor and condemned her to death. Likewise the idea of Antigone’s moral ambition, once Creon found out that Antigone was the one that buried Polynices, he furiously asked her why she buried him; ANTIGONE: Nevertheless, Hades requires these rites. CREON: The good don’t want to share honors with the bad.

Ever wondered how far your motivations could take you? Antigone, a famous play written by Sophocles, introduces the audience to various characters who push the limits with their motivations, despite the consequences. We, the audience, are shown two major characters, a determined woman, Antigone, who goes to extremes for her family, and Creon, a stubborn king who believes in protecting his city Thebes. Creon creates a rule that both Antigone’s brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles must both alternately fulfill the title of king of Thebes, and ends in Polyneices death because of a battle that arose between the brothers which resulted in a demand for Polyneices to remain unburied by Creon, which influenced Antigone’s determination to give Polyneices a proper burial, resulting in the death of Antigone and Creon’s family members. I believe Creon is the tragic hero because although he was doing what he thought was right to defend the people of Thebes and fulfill his duty as a ruler, he resulted in losing his loved ones and ending up alone.