Sophocles - Antigone
Choices affect all of our lives. We are always faced with choices. What we do with those choices will determine how are lives will turn out, what destiny lies before us and even what will become of us. The choices we make are in our complete control. Whether we make choices during the heat of the moment or with an open mind there are going to be consequences that follow whether good or bad are can only be blamed on us. Sophocles's Antigone portrays human emotions and consequences that follow two distinct choices. We can broaden the spectrum by saying that Creon represents public policy and Antigone represents individual conscience. According to E.S. Shuckburgh we must examine which is more important "state law or divine conscience". (Shuckburgh xviii) Antigone is a story about two people who choose to make choices that each are passionate about and the consequences that follow. I can argue that the choice made by Antigone was noble and honorable because she was standing up for what she believed in. Antigone was trying to do what she felt was the right. She was standing up for her family. I think that many people would feel the same way in her situation. Antigone wanted to offer her brother the burial that
Mack. New York: W.W. Norton & Compay, Inc., 1995. 632-667 Now there is the other side of the coin that we must examine. We must examine Creon and the choices that he made. Creon made a very hasty decision, which will lead to his destruction. As newly appointed king he makes an edict that prohibits any one from burying Polynices who he deems a traitor, not thinking of the consequences it may bring. Creon's law may be unethical to some but not to those who feel that state laws should always be priority. Creon is a man of public policy. He is newly appointed king of Thebes and he must prove his power: Of course you cannot know a man completely, by the crimes he brought to light himself not till he's shown his colors, ruling the people, making the laws. (Sophocles 194-197) Creon's main concern is that the people fear him and respect him. Creon strives for fear and power no matter what the cost. Unlike Antigone, Creon's loyalty is to his country. The choice he makes to forbid anyone from burying Polynices is only to show the people of Thebes that he will not tolerate traitors and those who to betray him will be punished. Not even at the words of his son does he back down: "Relax your anger - change." (Sophocles 804) Creon would rather let she felt he deserved. Although it did not seem as though she agreed with what her brother had done she did believe in family loyalty.When Antigone approached Ismene with her proposal, Ismene said no. She justified her decision by telling Antigone that they were already punished and that there was no need to make matters worse for the two of them by defying Creon's law.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1577
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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