In certain situations, there is no such thing as the right decision. There is one option that satisfies one side and another option that pleases a different side. Choosing which one of these options to act upon, shows a person 's morals and reflects their character. In Sophocles ' Antigone, Antigone is faced with a choice that tests her morals versus her loyalty to the King. After the death of both her brothers by each other 's hands, Creon, the King, decides that only Eteocles, the brother that fought to save Thebes, could have a proper burial. He stated that Polynices, the brother that rebelled against Thebes, was to be left unburied to be eaten by animals. Feeling as though both of her brothers should receive a proper burial, Antigone
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Creon, as the King of Thebes, made the decision that no one was to bury Polynices. He makes this decision while he is talking to his councilors about how Polynices was a traitor and disgrace to Thebes. It is during this speech that Creon says, “His brother Polynices, / who came back from exile intending to burn and destroy / his fatherland … He is to have no grave, no burial, / no mourning from anyone; it is forbidden” (Sophocles 131). Even though Creon has just forbidden anyone from burying Polynices, Antigone is planning on doing it anyway. Going directly against the word of the king is a serious offence yielding extreme consequences. Antigone is going into this task behind Creon’s back, with him against her project, rather than on her side. Having made the decision that this is her best option, she feels that she should not embark in this task alone and requests the assistance of her sister, Ismene. Hearing this request, Ismene shoots down Antigone, feeling this would be too dangerous and not a smart decision. She says that she does not want to defy the Gods but, “I cannot act / against the State. I am not strong enough” (Sophocles’ 128). In response to this, Antigone says, “Let that be your excuse, then. I will go / and heap a mound of earth over my brother” (Sophocles 128). This is the first blunder Antigone makes in her undertaking of burying …show more content…
One mistake that she made was simply going directly against the rule of the King with no backup or support. Whilst doing this, she was caught by the guards of Polynices’ body which was another mistake. And finally, she took her own life, rather than waiting in hope of savior. A prevalent theme throughout Antigone is the line between choice and fate. Whether fate is unavoidable, or our choices are the main influence on the events in our lives. Through the events of the book, the reader is forced to consider whether the course of life is predetermined or if it is to be made up by the choices made throughout a
Creon, as the King of Thebes, made the decision that no one was to bury Polynices. He makes this decision while he is talking to his councilors about how Polynices was a traitor and disgrace to Thebes. It is during this speech that Creon says, “His brother Polynices, / who came back from exile intending to burn and destroy / his fatherland … He is to have no grave, no burial, / no mourning from anyone; it is forbidden” (Sophocles 131). Even though Creon has just forbidden anyone from burying Polynices, Antigone is planning on doing it anyway. Going directly against the word of the king is a serious offence yielding extreme consequences. Antigone is going into this task behind Creon’s back, with him against her project, rather than on her side. Having made the decision that this is her best option, she feels that she should not embark in this task alone and requests the assistance of her sister, Ismene. Hearing this request, Ismene shoots down Antigone, feeling this would be too dangerous and not a smart decision. She says that she does not want to defy the Gods but, “I cannot act / against the State. I am not strong enough” (Sophocles’ 128). In response to this, Antigone says, “Let that be your excuse, then. I will go / and heap a mound of earth over my brother” (Sophocles 128). This is the first blunder Antigone makes in her undertaking of burying …show more content…
One mistake that she made was simply going directly against the rule of the King with no backup or support. Whilst doing this, she was caught by the guards of Polynices’ body which was another mistake. And finally, she took her own life, rather than waiting in hope of savior. A prevalent theme throughout Antigone is the line between choice and fate. Whether fate is unavoidable, or our choices are the main influence on the events in our lives. Through the events of the book, the reader is forced to consider whether the course of life is predetermined or if it is to be made up by the choices made throughout a