Tragic figures of Anigone

A detailed Summary of Tragic figures of Anigone

Antigone, written by the Greek dramatist Sophocles in 442 BC, is a tragic play named after its most tragic figure. Antigone, is the story of a woman who stood for what she believed in, and died for what she felt was right. Antigone is arguably the most tragic figure in the play; however, this play could also have had several different titles due to the tragic events that occurred to many of the plays characters. Creon, King of Thebes, loses his son and his wife due to his selfish and tyrannical actions. Creon's son, and Antigone's husband to be, Haimon, also took his own life after the passing of his future bride. When the news of the loss of her son comes to Creon's wife, Eurydice, she too takes her own life. As you can see from just this brief summation, Antigone could easily have had several different titles.

Antigone was probably chosen as the name of the play because she endured seemingly the great hardship and sacrifice, and eventually took her own life. Antigone had two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, both of whom died in a battle fought against one another. Creon, the King of Thebes, ordered that Eteocles (who fought for Creon's army) be buried with respect, as a soldier should. Concur

First, he must be obedient to and respectful of his father. "No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom," he tells Creon upon hearing of Antigone's fate (Sophocles 1300). And indeed, this is the attitude he takes, but he knows that many men of the city have a different opinion. He tries to explain to his father that his will is discordant with that of the people of Thebes, but he cannot get this point across.

rently, he ordered that Polyneices be left to rot on the battlefield and die a traitor. Regarding Antigone's brothers, Creon, King of Thebes states, ...Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country, is to be buried with full military honors...but his brother Polyneices, who broke his exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city...is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like" (Sophocles 1290). Further, Creon states that anyone caught trying to bury the body of Polyneices should be sentenced to death.

Even Creon's decree could not stop Antigone from doing what she felt was right. She went out into the field and gave Polyneices the burial her deserved. Before she

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Approximate Word count = 863
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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