Antigone

A detailed Summary of Antigone

There are many principles that exist in Sophocles' "Antigone". Three that are at stake in the central conflict are; the role of gender, pride, and human law vs. moral/divine law. Within these principles, the principle of power is intertwined.

The principle of the role of gender is explored throughout "Antigone". The role of gender is a key principle as Creon relates women to being inferior to men. They must obey a man's every command, and if they should go against man, then they should be punished. Antigone opposes this role every opportunity she obtains. She tries to gain power by burying her brother and standing up to King Creon. It opens up by Antigone speaking to Ismene. Antigone wants to giver her brother, Polyneices, a proper burial even if this means she will be violating the decree of the king. Ismene reminds Antigone that they are only women. This means that they are vulnerable. Ismene feels she is powerless, while Antigone wants to gain power as a woman. "I will not put dishonor on them, but to act in defiance of the citizenry, my nature does not give me means for that," stated Ismene. (89-91) Here it is expressed that the role of women is limited. She says her nature does not enable her to do so.

Antigone refuses to yield to Creon's decree, while Creon refuses to let Antigone go without punishment. Antigone questions Creon if there is anything else he desires besides executing her, and he response by saying, "Once I have that I have everything." (543) Here one can see that Creon will strop at nothing to punish Antigone for her action.

igone feels that the role of women might be limited, but by giving her brother a proper burial, she is taking a stand. "I shall be a criminal - but a religious one, " states Antigone. (84-5) Through martyrdom Antigone can gain power. Since women are oppressed in Greek society as stated by Ismene, martyrdom is the only means of gaining power. Antigone has obligations to two men, Creon and Polyneices. By marrying Haemon she will have yet another man to obey. By becoming a martyr, she will no longer be under the influence, and control of men, and would have control over herself.

At this point in "Antigone", Creon is arguing with the chorus, Antigone, and Ismene. He feels his son can find another wife, and does not want one that is bad for his son. He feels that Antigone must be punished, whether or not she is his future daughter-in-law, or anything else for that matter. "From this time forth, these must be women, and not free to roam," stated Creon. (636-7) Restriction of movement, and submission to the authority of men, describes women as a category. Women are meant to be suppressed according to Creon. Antigone must not be free to roam, which means that she must not go unpunished. She must be a woman, and play this role. Creon exemplifies this point by saying, "If we must accept defeat, let it be from a man we must not let people say that a woman beat us."(733-4) Again he will not let a woman surpass him. If Antigone were a man, there might have been room for discussion, but because she is a woman, she must be conquered. He acknowledges that the role of man is superior to a woman, and he will not accept defeat from one that is inferior.

Creon swallows his pride, but it is too late. He gives Polyneices the proper burial. He calls for Antigone to come out from the cave, however Antigone has already hung herself. Creon finds out that Haemon has taken his own sword to himself as well. Eurydice, his wife, could not handle all that had occurred, and commits suicide as well. Creon's pride led to the death of everyone around him. He did not swallow his pride soon enough. He changes his mind only when motivated by personal emotion, not abstract theory, which was exactly what Antigone believed in when she disobeyed his command. Unfortunately, his pride led to his self-destruction. Antigone's pride led to her demise as well, but in the process she gained strength, as she willingly took her own life, and not due to other circums

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1896
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English