Analysis Of Sophocles's 'Antigone'

All throughout Greek history and literature, heroes and heroines have suffered unbearable consequences from weaknesses, such as too much pride, oppressive fear, or putting family values before laws of the land. In this classical Greek play, written by Sophocles, the main character, Antigone, has to make difficult choices pertaining to life or death throughout the course of the story. This play takes place in the glorious city of Thebes, which has seen many deaths in the royal family. Starting with Oedipus, the father of Antigone, Eteocles and Polyneices, the brothers of Antigone, who fought each other for the throne, and Jocasta, the mother of Antigone. Eteoclês was honored at death by proper burial, but Polyneices was not. Because of his actions …show more content…
Antigone argued they should bury him and give him the proper burial that he deserved, because he was a prince of Thebes, and also for the courage he exerted into fighting for what he thought was right. When Ismene, out of fear, refuses to help, Antigone states, “I will bury the brother I love...Creon buried our brother Eteoclês with military honors, gave him a soldier’s funeral, and it was right that he should; but Polyneicês, they fought as bravely and died as miserably,”(lines 15-18 and 102). Antigone is saying that she will not let her brother be eaten by wild prey or carrion in an abandoned field, but instead will give him the proper burial, out of love for him as a brother, and as a courageous hero, no matter the law or the penalty that stands behind it. Sometimes sacrifices are necessary for following tradition or supplementing the honor deserved to those who …show more content…
When she was arrested she stated, “Your edict, King, was strong, but all your strength is weakness itself against the immortal unrecorded laws of God. Ah the good fortune of kings, licensed to say and do whatever they please!”(lines 359-363). Here Antigone is mocking the king and stating that he is weak against the Gods. This shows she has little respect for Creon, also displaying the pride that she carries with her, for being a princess and for standing up for Polyneices. She believes that she is in the right and Creon is in the wrong, making unjust laws because of his royal “license”. Pride is one weakness that lives in all men and women, it affects every aspect of our lives, just as honor and courage come in small or large amounts, varying in every single