Antigone focuses on contrast between characters. Antigone and her sister, Ismene are together in two scenes, the prologue and the second scene. They always argue because of their different opinions. Ismene feels that although she loved her brother, he is dead, and they should respect the law and not bury him with honor. The other contrasts come between Creon and the guard and Haimon, who is Creon's son, in the third scene. Creon and Antigone also contrast in the way they live. While Antigone

This play presents a timeless conflict. It is Sophocles' story of family honor and family bonds versus loyalty to the state and the law. This play clearly illustrates conflicting interests and loyalties among the characters. Antigone believes that her family is more important than the law, which was made by Creon. Creon believes that the king, and the laws he represents, are more important than family, "No one is above the law and king." Creon says.

As Kirkwood says, "Antigone's conduct is a continuation of what we saw in the prologue" (121). The harshness of Antigone has not changed from the beginning of Antigone, while Ismene is more open-minded. Both are very moral and sensitive women who's loyalty brings them into conflict, although Antigone's loyalty to family over king is the more persuasive argument. Antigone's decision causes more tragedy than the more practical Ismene.

These relationships and the changes and insights the characters experience pull the reader into the story. There is real drama, and believable characters, and real tension.. The main characters, dramatically opposed to each other in intent, come to understand the viewpoint of the other, even though they cannot accept it. This movement toward both separation and understanding works on all the characters, Creon as much as Antigone. Their fatal contrast is between loyalty to family and loyalty to the law.

And rulers of Thebes, you see me now, the last

You have yourself to consider, after all. (924)

There is no moral difference between them, but their personalities are different. Ismene sees many aspects of the situation, but Antigone sees only one thing, which is the importance of her moral duty to her brother. Antigone and Ismene continue to talk until the prologue finishes. At the end of the prologue, Ismene gives her answer: she does not want to break the law. Her decision is to obey the law, and be considered disloyal to her family, but Antigone's decision is to bury their brother, which is breaking the law, but keeps her loyal to her family.

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Approximate Word count = 1529
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)