Antigone was also willing to change into a better person. She tried to get the idea of her “cursed” family out of her head, and attempted to stand up for her family by burying her brother. Even though her sister, Ismene, refused to help Antigone, Antigone still kept her mind on the goal. “You (Ismene) have made your choice; you can be what you want to be. But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say this crime is holy…” (Prologue.
Is this crime? Death?- she should have all the honor we can giver her!” Haemon is trying to tell his father that Antigone is innocent and that she committed no crime. It was a simple act of loyalty to her family. Even though King Creon set the law that polynieces should not be buried, due to his act of intrusion, Antigone didn’t want his soul to left here on earth, she wanted polynieces soul to have a safe trip to heaven. “In flood time you can see how some trees bend, and because they bend, even their twigs are safe.
Although she cares for and respects her brother, her conscience will not let her disrespect her brother. Despite Creons warnings she buries him with honor and is captured by Creon and put to death. Haimon, who is Creon’s son and Antigones lover has to leave Thebes. Antigone focuses on contrast between characters. Antigone and her sister, Ismene are together in two scenes, the prologue and the second scene.
This is true because Antigone followed her religious beliefs and gave her brother a proper burial, but Creon is not wrong for forbidding Antigone because the people of Thebes needed a strong steadfast leader to set a good example and rule the city. Below ground burials is part of Theban traditions. They express respect for family and reverence for the gods. Antigone was devastated when Creon made it clear that he did not want Polynices to receive a proper burial because he was a traitor to the city. She did not want to leave her brother’s body exposed and left rotting in the sun, eaten by birds and stray dogs.
Antigone is so determined to honour her brother, and equally certain that her path was the correct one that she believed that the punishment she would receive would ‘...not be any pain’ and would’ve been had she ‘...left [her] mother’s son lie there unburied.’ Antigone appeared to be unafraid of death, as she believed she lived in ‘...daily torment’ due to the inherited family “curse”. To Antigone, her death was unavoidable, and honourable thus she was able to bear the
Antigone is not content to leave this detail to fate. Not only does Antigone know there are consequences to burying her brother, but she knows the consequences are death and still this does not deter her it makes her stronger. Antigone not only knows that she will die, but she wants everyone to know, even though her sister has begged of her not to let anyone know. Antigone says “I will not urge thee, but I will bury him; well for me to die doing that. I shall rest a loved one, with him, whom I have loved, sinless in my crime.” Ismene replies “Alas, unhappy one!
When Oedipus asks why this case was not investigated the people respond that they were too busy trying to solve the sphinx’s riddle. Oedipus vows that no matter what the cost is, he will get to the bottom of it, both because it harmed Thebes and Laius was noble and loyal. Oedipus calls upon Teiresias, the blind prophet, and forces him to reveal what he knows of the murder. Teiresias reluctantly tells Oedipus that he killed his father and sleeps with his mother. Oedipus accuses him of lying on Creons behalf so Creon could kill Oedipus and take the throne.
In Oedipus the King, one trait that makes Oedipus a tragic hero is that he is responsible for his own fate. Oedipus marries his mother, Queen Jocasta, and kills his father, King Lauis. When Oedipus is communicating with the city of Thebes he says, “Not pointed out as wedded to the one who weaned me. Now I am god-abandoned a son of sin and sorrows all incest-sealed with the womb that bore me” (74). Also, when the official who is telling the city of Thebes that Oedipus blinded himself he says, “He shouts for all the barriers to be unbarred and he displayed to all of Thebes, his father’s murderer, his mothers…no, a word too foul to say…”(71).
is a play that has left people wondering over the ages, who truly is the tragic hero? A tragic hero is a person who implements thoughts of sympathy and uneasiness in the audience revealing the audience’s own vulnerabilities. Antigone begins with the two brothers Polynices and Eteocles killing eachother over the right to lead Thebes. The new appointed leader and uncle of the brothers Creon decides to bury Eteocles only, angering their sister Antigone. Antigone goes and half buries Polynices and then is caught by Creon.
Antigone reflection Katey Smerek I enjoyed reading Antigone. The play started with us learning that Eteodes and Polyneices have killed each other in battle and that Creon the new King of Thebes has issued a decree stating that Polyneices was a traitor to the throne and therefore his body must not be buried and will be left for the birds and animals to devour. Antigone who is both the niece of Creon and the sister to Eteodes and Polyneices refuses to stand by and allow her brother’s body to be defiled. I was inspired by the strength of the female lead of the play Antigone. At the start of the play she informed her sister Ismene of her plan to bury their brother’s body and although her sister refused to participate she carried out the plan.