The play Antigone, by
Sophocles, depicts tragedy as a product of civil disobedience and pride. In the
script, one of Antigone’s brothers, Polynices, dies due to civil disobedience
and is remembered as a traitor. Eteocles, his brother, also dies as a product
of Polynices’ treachery toward Thebes. The film ends with the deaths of
Antigone, Haeman, and Eurydice all die because of Creon’s pride and Antigone’s
civil disobedience.
One can best describe
Antigone with three adjectives: uncooperative, decisive, and courageous.
Antigone is uncooperative as she failed to heed to Creon’s decree that
Polynices must not be buried. Also, her stubbornness and uncooperative nature
are evident in her reluctance to listen to Ismene when she warned her not to
bury their brother, Polynices. Moreover, after her arrest, Creon tries to
advise her against disobeying his rule because she is engaged to his son,
Haeman, but she does not relent and asks him to go ahead and kill her
(Antigone, 2005).
Antigone’s
decisive nature is apparent throughout the play from her conversations with her
sister and Creon. For instance, while speaking to Ismene about the tragedy that
had befallen their family, Antigone promises herself that she would bury her
brother, regardless of the consequences. She tries to convince Ismene to share
her labor and honor her mother’s son in death (Antigone, 2005). Although Ismene
refuses to join her, Antigone’s decisiveness makes her a tragic heroine in the
play. The trait also makes her unable to understand the ‘limits’ to her actions
imposed by Creon. Similarly, Antigone’s courage drives her to conduct a
religious burial for Polynices. Moreover, Antigone portrays courage even when
she is on the verge of prosecution as she question’s Creon’s beliefs and
motives.
Antigone
is morally superior to Creon because while the latter only cares for power and
self-gratification, she acts on righteous and moral indignation. The character
believes in the gods and religion, thus burying her brother would not only put
his soul to rest but also please Zeus. I am very sympathetic toward Antigone
because she has lost her parents and both her brothers due to moral corruption.
Although headstrong, Antigone also has noble traits of love, sacrifice, and
justice. For instance, she tells Creon, “I cannot share in hatred but
love” to show her willingness to overlook her brother’s mistakes
(Antigone, 2005).
Creon
continuously ignored people’s advice during his rule on Thebes. The ruler
overlooked the council from Antigone, Haeman, and even the seer, Teiresias. For
instance, Teiresias warns, “the sun won’t roll its course many more days
before you come to give corpse for these corpses, a child of your own loins”(Antigone,
2005). Creon, however, disregards his warnings and losses both his son and
wife. I sympathize with him because he was consumed by the greed and blindness
that comes with power and ended up losing his family. Just like Antigone,
Ismene lived a life filled with tragedy. Therefore, I sympathize with her
character. As Antigone argues with Ismene, she mocks and rebukes her for
lacking bravery to honor her brother. Antigone’s arguments with Creon surround
values of morality and respect for the dead.
After Haeman asks
Creon to spare Antigone, the chorus leader states, “If your son has spoken
to the point, you must take his lesson” (Antigone, 2005). The chorus,
therefore, offers sound advice to Creon. However, in some aspects of the play,
the chorus only acts as a narrator and spectator, not intervening in Creon’s
actions. When Creon takes charge of Thebes, the chorus promises to follow his
rule blindly.
Traditional
Greek heroes indeed go through a transition that depicts their change from a
timid nature to one of bravery. Critics contend that Antigone did not walk the
same path. However, the play shows that Antigone did transform, from being a
rebellious child to being a fighter for justice and peace in the underworld.
Antigone’s sorrow for losing her family drives her conviction and path to
heroism. As most heroes do, Antigone sacrifices her love for Haeman and life,
to honor her brother and father’s headstrong nature.