Antigone Essay Topics

antigone
Pre–AP English
6 February /2013
Aristotle's Tragic Hero
In order to fulfill the requirements of a tragic hero, a hero or a heroine must have certain
characteristics. For example, they are required to be a member of royalty, be neither completely
good nor completely bad, they have to be responsible for their own downfall due to a hamartia and
lastly they need to realize their mistakes and accept their consequences. In Antigone, there are two
main characters that fit the criteria of a tragic hero, but only the protagonist, Antigone meets all of
the conditions.
Antigone meets the second requirement of a tragic heroine, by fulfilling the criteria of being neither
entirely good nor completely bad. In the opening of the play, Antigone...show more content...
She believes that her, "blasphemy of my birth has followed me"( iv, 44). By her using this quote,
she reveals that if it weren 't for her being born into incest, her family wouldn't be cursed as they
are. Furthermore, she argues, " No more, Ismene. You are alive, but I belong to death" (ii, 146).
This Quotation reveals Antigone accepting her consequences that she has to die due to her act.
Furthermore, realizing that his judgment was unwise Creon changes his mind from the harsh
punishment of public stoning to her being locked in a cave with a limited amount of food.
Antigone shows she is accepting her consequence by responding, " Then let me go, since all your
words are bitter, and the very light of the sun is cold to me. Lead me to my vigil, where I must
have neither love nor lamentation; no song, but silence" (iv, 282). This quote reveals that Antigone
no matter what she did took her consequences and realized that burying Polynieces was all worth it.
Overall, we see Antigone fulfilling her requirements of accepting her consequences of what she did.
From the time she was caught to the time she was given her sentence, she never denied nor took
back what she had done.
Although both Creon and Antigone fulfill the requirements of being a member of royalty, being
neither completely good nor bad, being responsible for their own downfall due to hubris and lastly
recognizing their own hamartia
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Thesis For Antigone
What is worth fighting for? There are several examples of literature that have not so much
changed my view of the world, but solidified vague ideas I already had about my values, passions,
and the things I wish to fight for and stand up for as I paint my story.
A play written by Sophocles circa 445 B.C., Antigone, depicts the tragedy of a youngwoman who
stands firm against an obstinate new ruling force–her uncle Creon, in what was right by her family
and her gods in antithesis to that which was better for her country. The altercation involves the burial
of her brother, Polyneices after staging a coup against his brother's regime which resulted in both of
the brothers' deaths, in order to protect his soul from the eternal isolation and...show more content...
Just as Antigone knows with whom her allegiances lie: with her family and her gods. She remains
loyal to them even unto death. Similarly, Psalm 48:14 exalts a God who is so in love with his people
and with a passion to lead them that he has promised to do it eternally: "This God, our God
forever and ever/He will lead us eternally." Know thyself. Antigone exemplifies how knowing your
priorities is key. She put God and family over politics. What are mine: God, family and friends,
education, self, and travel. My passions I discovered are: children and missions. In addition,
Antigone shows that those who act out of passion do not feel remorse for their actions, so long as it
is well thought

Antigone Theme Essay
Theme is a central idea or message in a work of literature. Theme connects with all events of a
story, however, it is not the moral of the story like many may think. Theme is interpreted by the
reader. In other words, the theme is just almost every aspect of a story. For example, theme needs
characters, protagonist, antagonist, conflict, and speaker to analyze what theme is in a story. The
equation for theme is character + conflict and resolution = theme. The story of Antigone for
example has many themes. Antigone is the story of a young girl, who's purpose is to honor her
brother Polyneices in a burial. Both of her brothers killed each other, however Eteocles, her other
brother, fought for the city and got an honorable burial, while Polynieces,...show more content...
Dramatic structure is the sequencing of events, or the plot in the story. In the prologue, Antigone is
talking to her sister about how "[Creon]'s honoring one [brother] with a full funeral and treating
the other one disgracefully! Eteocles, they say, has had his burial... to win him honor with the dead
below. But as for Polyneices, who perished so miserably, an order has gone out throughout the
city...He's to have no funeral or lament, but to be left unburied and unwept..." This gives us the
idea of how Antigone is choosing family loyalty over civil obedience because she wants to bury her
brother, even though, Creon, the ruler, made it illegal to bury Polyneices. In the parados, the chorus
leader tells the story of the war in which "all but that pair of wretched men, born of one father and
one mother, too– who set their conquering spears against each other and then both shared a common
death." Within the exposition, we have already established the background of past family tragedies,
military conflict, the fate of brothers, and the goal/ conflict of protagonist. These four important
dramatic structures are going to help to find theme in Antigone, along with dramatic

Antigone By Sophocles ' Antigone
"But one must neglect nothing that the gods demand" (1349–1350). Sophocles' Antigone takes place
in a trying time for the city of Thebes, when Oedipus, their king, and most of the royal family have
died, and Creon has just been appointed the new king. Throughout the play, Creon tries on his
power as the new ruler, and seems to believe that the gods will not be angry with some of his
choices as king, even though they directly violate the divine law. However, inAntigone, when there
is a conflict between the divine law and the state law, the divine law always prevails. Antigone
continuously follows the divine law, and although she ends up dead, she does not face Creon's pain of
losing everyone he loves and all his people turning against him. The play begins with Antigone
disobeying Creon in order to do what she believes is right in the eyes of the gods and in the eyes
of her parents. Antigone knows that she will die "a holy outlaw, since [she] must please those
below a longer time than people [in Thebes], for [she] shall lie there forever" (75–77). According to
Greek mythology, leaving a dead body unburied results in the dead person not passing smoothly into
the afterworld, and the people who do not bury the body receiving divine punishment. This divine
punishment, which Antigone tries to avoid, becomes more apparent at the end of the play with
Creon's downfall. Antigone's main motive for burying Polynikes is her love for him and for her
parents; however, this statement

Antigone Essay
Full of drama and tragedy, Antigone can be used to relate to current conflicts. One such conflict is
that between Haemon and his father Creon. Haemon looks up to Creon with honor and pride, but as
conflict arises, that relation is disassociated and new feelings grow. The first conversation between
them is what initiates the downfall of their bond. While it seems that Creon is the most important
person in Haemon's life, Antigone is in fact the one that has won Haemon over. Antigone, written by
the Athenian Sophocles, is about a woman named Antigone who lives in a city named Thebes. The
play's plot is based on her attempt to successfully bury her brother Polynices whom perished in a
battle with his brother that also assumed the role of...show more content...
What medal of honor brighter to his children than a father's growing glory? Or a child's to his proud
father? Now don't, please, be quite so single–minded, self–involved, or assume the world is wrong
and you are right." (Sophocles 785–790). When he says this, it shows how much his father means to
him so he doesn't want to see his father make the mistake of being narrow minded and pointed in the
wrong direction. He then goes on to say "...whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, the
gift of eloquence, he and no one else, and character too...such men, I tell you, spread them open –
you will find them empty." (Sophocles 791–794) This is a metaphor relating Creon to writing tablets
that reveal a blank canvas (Knox). In other words, Creon may appear wise and intelligent, but in
reality, he has no wisdom to show for; he has no defining characteristics to make him more worthy
to rule than the common citizen. Haemon also uses analogies to express the views he has of his
father when he says, "You've seen trees by a raging winter torrent, how many sway with the flood
and salvage every twig, but not the stubborn–they're ripped out, roots and all. Bend or break."
(Sophocles 797–800) In other words, Haemon is telling his father not to be stubborn with his decision

Antigone
Greek drama was written in such a way that the characters are the pivotal aspect of the play. The
main characters in Sophocles' epic play, Antigone, are both very strong personalities, which naturally
leads to conflict. Antigone and King Creon both have very intense beliefs and roles in this play that
oppose each other, and although there is a family tie, will lead to an imminent tragedy. Antigone is a
young women who believes in the loyalty of her family and fears no one and nothing. She is
willing to give up her bright future and her life and disobey the edict of her uncle and bury her
deceased brother. Antigone displays her heroic characteristics through her fearlessness, loyalty,
perseverance, and is therefore the tragic heroine of...show more content...
If it wasn't for the incest of Oedipus and Jocasta, the parents of Antigone, Ismene, Polyneices and
Eteocles, Oedipus would have never gouged his eyes out and given over a shared kingship to his
sons. If they hadn't of been greedy and unable to share the kingship, then there would have been
no edict forbidding the burial of Polyneices. Therefore, being a kin of Oedipus' family, Antigone
fell into a trap and was destined to fall into a tragedy. The antistrophe, which represents society
and their views, expresses: "I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past/ Loom upon
Oedipus' children: generation from generation/ Takes the compulsive rage of the enemy god./ So
lately this last flower of Oedipus' line/ Drank the sunlight! but now a passionate word/ And a
handful of dust have closed up all its beauty." (Sophocles Ode II)
Society was conflicted in what to think about the entire conflict in the city of Thebes. It brought
upon a theme of moral law versus civil law. No one knew what to think or who to side with
because everyone was right, yet everyone was wrong. Antigone is a perfect example of a tragic
heroine and exemplifies every aspect of the definition. Antigone can be compared to any brave
woman who decides to fight for what she believes in but she can best be compared to a twentieth
century woman soldier in any branch of the armed forces. It can be said that any soldier has the
characteristics of loyal and

Antigone Essay
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.
To begin, conflict between Antigone and Creon arises when Antigone blatantly disobeys her uncle's
edict due to family loyalty. For instance, when Antigone is trying to convince Ismene to help her
bury Polyneices, she exclaims, "He is my brother....show more content...
By adding this scene, Sophocles reminds his audience about the dangers and consequences of
inflexibility and pride. These three instances all contribute to the conflict Antigone has with her
uncle Creon, while stressing how determination and loyalty can lead to destruction.
Secondly, Creon's massive ego is also one of the causes of the argument between him and his niece
Antigone. In particular, during his formal address to the chorus, he states , "Polyneices, I say, is to
have no burial...no traitor is going to be honored with the loyal man." This statement represents the
birth of Anitgone and Creon's conflict, as it leaves Antigone torn between obeying her uncle or
honoring her brother. Creon's desire to demonstrate his power and establish his rule are the root
causes of the dispute between him and his niece and unfortunately leads to hardships in both of their
lives. In addition, after Creon finds out that Anitgone was the one behind Polyneices' burial, he
exclaims, "Who is the man here, she or I, if this crime goes unpunished?" Creon's ego is bruised
after he finds out Antigone has disobeyed him, revealing how important his appearance and status is
to him. No matter how wrong he is in his decisions, Creon will never change what he believes is the
right punishment for Antigone, which reminds the

Creon's Struggle In Sophocles Antigone
Antigone
Antigone, by Sophocles, is a story about the struggle between Antigone, who represents the laws of
the gods and Creon, who represents the laws of the state. The play takes place circa 442 B.C. in the
city–state of Thebes. The story revolves around the burial of Polyneices. Polyneices led an army
against his brother, Etocles, the King of Thebes. They killed each other in battle and the new king,
Creon, made a decree that only Etocles was to be buried because Polyneices was his rival. Antigone,
sister of Polyneices and Etocles, feels that she needs to bury Polyneices in accordance to Zeus' law,
but this went against Creon's decree. Also, Antigone has to bury Polyneices without the help of her
sister...show more content...
After Creon's wife, Eurydice, found out her son was dead, she stabbed herself to death.
Creon is not wholly wrong in forbidding people to bury Polyneices. His intentions are good
because he wanted to show how evil Polyneices was in attacking the city and that in order for the
government of Thebes to work, they have to stay united. According to Creon, "For I– be Zeus my
witness, who sees all things always– would not be silent if I saw ruin, instead of safety, coming to
the citizens; nor would I ever deem the country's foes a friend to myself; remembering this, that our
country is the ship that bears us safe, and that only while she prospers in our voyage can we make
true friends"(Sophocles, page 121).
Creon justifies his position to the others in the play by stating that Polyneices was evil and it
would be unjust to Etocles, who died with honor, to share a spot in the earth with an evil person
like Polyneices.(Sophocles, page 129). Creon states, "...Polyneices, who came back from exile and
sought to consume utterly with fire the city of his fathers and the shrines of his fathers' gods,
sought to taste of kindred blood and to lead the remnant into slavery..."(Sophocles, page 121). Creon
also states, "A foe is never a friend–not even in death"(Sophocles, page 129).
I think Antigone is a righteous martyr for wanting to bury her

Theme Of Justice In Antigone
Sophocles' tragedy, Antigone, follows protagonist Antigone, through her quest for justice with
emphasis on integrity, sacrifice and the laws of man. Taking place around 441 B.C., Antigone,
daughter of Oedipus, wants to bury her brother Polyneices after he was killed in war. Creon, King
of Thebes, has forbidden Polyneices to buried and said that anyone who tries to bury him will be
killed. Antigone, acting out of love for her brother and in defiance of Creon, intends to ignore such
threats and bury Polyneices anyways. While Antigone's sister, Ismene is too afraid to do it,
Antigone admits she is willing to die to give her brother his rightful burial. She then proceeds to
bury her brother, not once, but twice, to which enrages Creon. After she is caught, Creon intends
to kill Antigone but first he gets in an argument with his son Haemon (also Antigone's fiancГ©)
and a blind prophet appears to tell Creon not to leave Polynieces unburied or kill Antigone, as it
will upset the gods. After some deliberation, Creon decides to release Antigone and bury
Polyneices, out of fear of his own fate. Yet is too late as Antigone hanged herself, Haemon
accidentally killed himself, and finally, Creon's wife killed herself out of despair. In the end Creon
cannot catch a break as even when he asks to die, his punishment for his wrong–doings is that he
must live the rest of his miserable life.
The key themes throughout Antigone are rebellion and order of power. Antigone refuses to fit the
mold

Theme Of Leadership In Antigone
" The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the
ground." This is a quote from Sir Winston. The Greek Drama Antigone is about a girl who lost her
parents and most recently her twin brothers. Creon the King of Thebes, and also her uncle, is new
in possessing the throne and he established a law in which a burial for Polynices, Antigone's brother,
was forbidden. In the play, Sophocles' purpose for writing about leadership was to convey that as a
valuable leader they must know what their true values are, as well as, when to prioritize them,
because they need to do what they think is best for the city, they need to listen to the opinion of
others, and should still remain powerful.
Sophocles' purpose for writing about leadership in Antigone was to demonstrate that as a leader they
must know what their true values, as well as, when to prioritize them, because they need to do what
they think is best for the city. This is shown when Greon is introducing himself as the one who
possesses the throne and the power along with it. He explains how you cannot know a man
completely until the experience and what his standards are such as not putting a friend...show more
content...
In order to be an influential leader they need to inspire and the only way that will be possible is if
they listen to the people around them. Furthermore, Sophocles' purpose in writing about leadership
was to convey that as a leader, they must know what their true values are, because it will help them
make decisions easier, help them listen to those around them and it will help them maintain their
position as an impactful leader. Creon needed to get a hold on what he truly valued. There were
improvements that needed to be made but he was ignorant. His son, the leader, and Tiresias tried to
advise him but Creon failed to communicate well with

Case Study Questions On Antigone
1. What is Creon's motivation for forbidding the burial of his own nephew PolyneicГЄs? Why would
he issue an edict that runs so contrary to his family obligations? Creon's motivation for forbidding
the burial of his own nephew Polyneices is because he fought over the throne of Thebes which
was rightfully to be given to his brother who was next in line. He and his brother both killed each
other which is why Polyneices brother is having a proper burial and Polyneices was left out in the
wilderness. Creon would issue an edict that runs so contrary to his family obligations because he
feels that if he allows this to happen within his family then it makes it acceptable for his citizens to
get away with following the law. 2. What are AntigonГЄ's reasons for performing funeral rites on her
brother's corpse in direct violation of Creon's edict? Antigone's reasons for performing funeral rites
on her brothers corpse is that she believes she must follow what the Gods have proclaimed instead
of the law which was put forth by Creon. She follows what she believes is right instead of standing
back and following the law like her sister Ismene. 3. What are the larger issues behind the conflicting
positions of both Creon and AntigonГЄ? Is either person or position clearly wrong? The larger issue
between Creon and Antigone are whether family members should be above the law. I personally
think that Creon is wrong but his point of view is that if he allows Antigone to get away with trying to

Antigone Theme Essay
In the story Antigone by Sophocles, the theme guilt and innocence, as wells as morals play a huge
role between characters, specifically the female character Antigone, the ruler of the city, Creon,
Antigone's sister, Ismene, and Antigone's husband, Haimon. Antigone and Haimon represent
innocence for many reasons. Their morals lead the two in a direction to honor Antigone's brother,
Antigone protects her sister from certain death, and the lovers commits suicide for the sake of
innocence itself. Creon on the other hand represent guilt by his unjust laws of his city, his unruly
dictatorship, and putting the blame on everyone but himself for his own actions. Ismene is also
guilty in the story by not standing with her sister at the beginning to...show more content...
Leading to Creon's realization to his guilt.
Creon represents guilt by his unjust laws of the land and forcing the people of the city to abide by
them. As he forbids anyone to mourn a past king, he strike fear into the people and causes mistrust
against himself. As Haimon, the son of Creon explains to his father, " You are not in a position to
know everything / That people say or do, or what they feel: / Your temper terrifies–" (Scene III:
57–59), Creon is in disbelief. Creon has obtained a sense of dictatorship ever since Oedipus has died.
He had seen the way Oedipus had ruled over the city and deemed it reasonable to have one opinion
in the city alone, his own. Creon proclaims his "just and unjust" ways with the city, " I have no
dealings, / Whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed– / Just and unjust!" (Scene III: 33–37).
Blame is the final reasoning for his guiltiness is the story. He will always claim he is right and
will never take blame for his own laws. Haimon has confronted Creon about his blame, " Do not
believe that you alone can be right. / The man who thinks that, / The man who maintains that only he
has the power" (Scene III: 74–76). As soon as Creon realizes that none is to blame, only himself, he
admits to his dead son, " My own blind heart has brought me / From darkness, to final darkness. / I
was a fool, not you; and you died for me." (Exodus: 87–92) and once more, like

Essay Antigone
Antigone2 Antigone herself represents the highest ideals of human life –– courage and respect for
the gods. In the mythical story "Antigone", Antigone first demonstrates feminist logic when she
chooses to challenge a powerful male establishment. This establishment is personified by her uncle
Creon, who is newly crowned as the King of Thebes, and it is usually challenged by whole
city–state. She believed that the law of the gods (to give proper burial rights to every dead body)
was more important than the law of the King. Creon became angry that a woman questioned his
sovereignty and commanded her to death even though she was the daughter of Jocasta, his sister.
The bold, tradition–braking character of Antigone...show more content...
"Imagine it: I caught her naked rebellion, the traitor, the only one in the whole city. I'm not about
to prove myself a liar, not to my people, no, I'm going to kill her!". Creon believes that if he does
not follow through on his word the people of Thebes will not respect his authority as king. In
determination to gain respect from the people from Thebes, Creon decides to take Antigone's life,
which ironically leads to his demise. Creon refuses to compromise or humble himself before others
especially women, he states "better if it must happen, that a / should overset me". He stubbornly
refuses other characters the right to express opinions different from his own. Creon abuses his
power to force others to accept his point of view. This extreme male dominance conflicts head–on
with Antigone's bold unwomanly challenge to Creon's authority. Antigone does not give Creon
additional respect either because he is a man in a patriarchal society or because he is king. In
such way, she argues an equality of the sexes, as well as equality under God. Unlike her sister,
Ismene refuses to challenge the male authority, even if it means to not fulfill her duties as a sister.
Ismene states: "we must remember that we are two women / so not to fight with men. / And that
since we are subject to strong power / we

Antigone Essay
I. SUBJECT 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. 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...show more content...
Sophocles believed that it was significant that the law of a persons conscience supersedes the law
of the state. Antigone overlooks the law of the state and follows her heart to do what she knows
is morally right, opposed to a law created by a human with high authority. She understands that the
consequences are heavy for the act, however, she courageously concluded that the importance of
the act was greater than the consequences. In the play, Haemon is brought to his father to be
informed off the news of his soon to be wife. In the discussion between Creon and Haemon, they
speak of Haemon's obedience and Antigone's disobedience to Creon. Creon says, "So I must
guard the men who yield to order, not let myself be beaten by a woman. Better, if it must happen
that a man should overset me. I won't be called weaker than womankind" (Sophocles 211). Creon
makes it clear that his reasoning relies on sexism and not what is truly just. Women are often
downgraded to the status of a secondary role as shown in the story. The argument between the law
of the state and the law of the gods, or religious, is mentioned many times throughout the story.
Creon refers to Antigone's brother as one who betrayed his city and he upholds an order for Thebes,
forbidding Antigone's brother to be buried. Antigone refers to burying her brother as a moral
responsibility. Creon is astonished when he finds that she has disobeyed his

Essay on Introduction: Antigone and Creon
INTRODUCTION
Antigone
Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, the king that married his own mother, Locaste and unwittingly
killed his father, Laios. When he learned what he had done, he blinded himself and left Thebes,
voluntarily went into self–style exile and died over there. Antigone and Ismene are siblings, the only
surviving children of Oedipus. The other two brothers Polyneices and Eteocles quarreled and killed
each other in a battle when Polyneices returned to assault Thebes, then Creon, Antigone uncle
became the king of Thebes being the only heir in line to the throne. Creon ordered Polyneices be left
to rot unburied on the battle field as a traitor but Antigone could not see reason to let her brothers
body rot unburied. Antigone...show more content...
She valued family pride over the authority of the king. Leaving the dead unburied is against the
natural laws of the gods, she then chose to disobey the Kings law by attempt to bury her brother,
Polyneices. But I will bury him; and if I must die Literature for Composition 462.55
Creon on the other hand, though he installed himself as king, he then put himself in a position to
have known better the laws of the gods. Perhaps, this could have been one of the snares in the
process that awaits any unqualified person who tries to be king. A true heir to the thrown should
have in–depth knowledge about the community law and the laws of the gods; therefore, he would
have guided against either avoiding making laws that runs contrary to the laws of the gods or by
putting himself in an uncompromised position. He could have been briefed of most of the rules
and regulation as a formal process before a prince is allowed to ascend the thrown. In absence of
that, the office he occupied justify that he knows the law. I am aware of course, that no ruler can
expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office. (Literature for
Composition.464.17)
Affinity for disobedience
Laws are made, whether written or unwritten to

Essay about Antigone
Antigone
"Make these excuses, I will heap/ The earth over my brother's body" (63). Although no one would
help her, Antigone took a stand against injustice and honored her brother by burying him, even
though Creon said this act would be punishable by death if anyone committed this act of
insubordination. Especially in the age that Antigone lived in, it was considered foolish to simply go
against a man's orders, let alone the Kings. Not to mention that Antigone was related to the King,
making the situation even worse. She committed a supremely precarious action, especially for a
woman. Not only does she bravely follow her morals, but she does a great job of justifying them in
her arguments. Antigone was a civil disobedient by disobeying...show more content...
She does not make people pity her, but rather honor her actions because of how she is willing to die
defending her brother's honor. The way that she explains her cause makes everyone but Creon
admire her for disobeying the law and doing the right thing that no one else had the courage to
do. The last example of Antigone's pathos is her last statement before she dies. This statement is
the best use of pathos in the entire play. It is here that Antigone really grips your emotions and
latches on to everything that she can to make you pity her and want to slay Creon instead. By the
way that she appeals to how she will never be able to have a family, enjoy marriage, or happily end
her life. She then throws in the question of what law she broke and asks what she did that was so
wrong to deserve death. These last statements really impact Antigone's pathos and make the reader
sympathize with her stance as the right one if they had not already been convinced.
Antigone's great claims and support also make her argument the best. The first argument that she
gets into is with Ismene about why she is disobeying Creon's orders by burying Polyneices body
and how she would be disgracing him if she did not. Ismene's defense does nothing to sway
Antigone, as she is set in her ways to do good, and Antigone does a great job of explaining her
case as to why she believes it is her duty to bury her brother. She does such a great job, in fact, that
Ismene really has nothing else to counter

Antigone the Tragic Hero Essay
A Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is a character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw, which combined
with fate, results into a tragedy. The tragic hero must fall from good luck and well being to misery
and misfortune. The tragic hero causes a sense of pity through the tragic downfall that weakens the
character. In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone follows her own beliefs by giving her brother a
proper burial, even if she has to break the law of King Creon. Because of her innocent actions,
Antigone is punished unjustly and unfairly. Through her risky and unselfish actions, ability to
follow her own beliefs, and perseverance Antigone is the tragic hero of this play.
Furthermore, Antigone makes many important and...show more content...
Moreover, Antigone's ability to follow her own beliefs results into the heroicness and tragic
death of Antigone. Antigone is from a royal family and has the power to do what she believes in.
She believes in following traditions and exercises that power when she says, "I will bury him,
and if I must die, I say that the crime is holy: I shall lie down With him in death, and I shall be as
dear To him as he to me" (694). Antigone follows her beliefs in following tradition and by doing
what she feels is best. Antigone does this because she knows she is doing the right thing and
knows that she will be repaid in some way. Furthermore, Antigone justifies her actions by telling
the reasons that motivated her to do it to King Creon. She refuses to give in to the beliefs of King
Creon and continues to think her own separate way. Antigone takes a stand to Creon when she
says, " Think Death less than a friend? This death of mine Is of no importance, but if I had left
my brother Lying in death unburied, I should have suffered. Now I do not. You smile at me. Ah
Creon , Think me a fool, if you like, but it may well be That a fool convicts me of folly" (709).
Antigone believes what she is doing is correct and proves that to Creon , but he is still not
convinced. It is important for Antigone to do what she believes is so that she will be pleased and
satisfied with the outcome. Antigone's ability to pursue her goals and to what she wants

Sophocles Antigone
"This part of "Antigone" is basically just "The Little Red Hen" taking place in Thebes. Ismene
didn't help commit the crime so she gets no honor. She didn't help bake the bread so she cannot
eat the bread." I said to my teacher after she had called on me. She looked at me with confusion
and surprise. It was quite clear that she didn't expect the student who never speaks to compare one
of Sophocles' plays to a children's story. When I think about cause and effect I don't think about
history class, or learning patterns in math class, I think of "If You Give a Pig a Pancake". When I
think about hubris I don't think about "Oedipus Rex" but "The Gingerbread Man". When I learn,
my brain makes connections to morals I read about as a child. A time

Essay on Antigone
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 dutyfamily 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...show more content...
Some of the times the Chorus speaks in this drama, it seems to side with Creon and the established
power of Thebes. The Chorus's first speech (117–179) describes the thwarted pride of the invading
enemy: The God Zeus hates bravado and bragging. Yet this encomium to the victory of Thebes
through Zeus has a cunningly critical edge. The Chorus's focus on pride and the fall of the prideful
comments underhandedly on the willfulness seen in Antigone and will see in Creon. In Creon's first
speech, where he assumes the "Now here I am, holding all authority and the throne, in virtue of
kinship with the dead" and reiterates his decree against the traitor Polynices (191–192). In lines
308–309 the Chorus says to Creon "My lord: I wonder, could this be God's doing? This is the
thought that keeps on haunting me. The Chorus is questioning Creon if it could be the doing of
God who buried Polynices, Creon replies; "Stop, before your words fill even me with rage that you
should be exposed as a fool, and you so old. For what you say is surely insupportable when you say
the gods took forethought for this corpse" (310–313).
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

Essay On The Title Antigone
A title is a direct relation to the novel itself. When a reader picks up a new story they wonder what
the title means. They ask themselves is it a quote from the book or is the title the name of the main
character? The novel "The Fault in our Stars" says it's title in parts of the story, and Arthur Conan
Doyle chose the title "Sherlock Holmes" because the story is about Sherlock. In the drama "Antigone
" by Sophocles, the characterization, the conflict, and the resolution is why Antigone is the title and
Creon is not. Many parts go into choosing a title. When the title is the name of the main character,
one of these parts is the characterization of the character. One of those parts is naming it the
protagonist of the drama. Sophocles wrote Antigone as a Sophoclean tragic hero, making her as the
protagonist....show more content...
The title can also come from the root of the conflict. The reason Sophocles decided to use Antigone
for the title is because Antigone is the cause of the conflict in the play. Antigone starts off the play
by disobeying Creon's orders and burying her brother. Haemon fights for her against his father after
Antigone earns herself an arrest. When Antigone goes to her death, Haemon follows by killing
himself. Unfortunately, this leads to Creon's wife and Haemon's mother dying. In a way this ends
the conflict that Antigone started, thus why Sophocles decided to use her name for the title. There is
an added conflict when Sophocles says that Antigone is suppose to marry Creon's son Haemon. This
makes Haemon have an internal conflict on whether he should choose his father or his lover. Again,
Antigone is the root of the conflict. Tiresias, the blind seer comes to warn Creon of doing wrong to
Antigone causing a fight between them. Which causes Creon to start fighting with himself, and once
again Antigone causes a conflict. Since Antigone causes most of the conflict, it makes sense to title
the drama after

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