Antigone: An Ancient Greek Tragedy

The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; seperated from law and justice he is the worst.” The play, Antigone, displays both sides of man. Antigone is an Ancient Greek tragedy. As an Ancient Greek tragedy, the play follows a tragic hero and how his hamartia, fatal flaw, eventually causes his or her downfall. In Antigone, Creon, the tragic hero and king of the story, has declared that one of his nephews should be buried, while the other, should be left to rot. His niece and future daughter-in-law, Antigone has defied the king's orders and is sentenced to death. Through their actions, words, and ideas we can determine how events unfold throughout the play and why these events happened as they did. …show more content…
Antigone’s actions throughout the play were strictly made to bring closure to her brother, Polyneices’ death. The largest and most important of these actions was her attempt at burying her brother. Her motivations for burying her Polyneices, were made clear in the very first Epode, “If my husband died, there’d be another one, and if I were to lose a child of mine, I’d have another with some other man. But since my father and my mother, too, are hidden away in Hades’ house. I’ll never have another living brother.” (Antigone, 288.) Antigone wanted to bury her brother because she would never have another brother again. This was not her only motivation, as she also believed that Creon had committed an injustice to the gods, as noted when she says, “I did not think anything which you proclaimed strong enough to let a mortal override the gods and their unwritten and unchanging laws.” (Sophocles, 272.) Antigone wanted to have a proper burial for her last living brother and needs to make sure that Creon does not think he he is powerful enough to override the gods’ laws. Creon’s longest lasting actions was was to sentence Antigone, and almost, Ismene to death. This decision was largely due to his hamartia, his pride and stubbornness. Creon’s motivations were that to protect his throne that seem to be endangered by the disorder that Antigone had caused. These …show more content…
Antigone, does not watch nor care how she speaks to Creon. This is a contrast from almost every other character in the play, who for the most part seem to talk to Creon as if they hold him in very high regard. Antigone is honest, and bold with her words. At the first conversation between her and Creon it is clear, that she is there to accept the consequences. Creon specifically even gives Antigone several ways to escape her fate, “Creon: Tell me briefly- not in some lengthy speech- were you aware there was a proclamation forbidding what you did? Antigone: I'd heard of it. How could I not? It was public knowledge.” (Sophocles, 271.) Antigone might break the laws, but would not give up honesty. Creon on the other hand is offended by her honesty, and how she speaks to him. Creon tells the chorus during the conversation “This girl here was very insolent in contravening laws we have proclaimed. Here she agains displays her proud contempt- having done the act she now boasts of it.” (Sophocles, 272.) He accuses Antigone of boasting about her crime, and ridicules her for that very same reason. Antigone and Creon’s words are very different from each other. Both speak to prove their points but Antigone’s words scream for justice while Creon’s always are there to defend his pride. Antigone’s words are modest while Creon’s words are prideful. With Creon we can always find parts of his pride and