The Tragic Collision in Antigone The word paradigm comes from the Greek word for a pattern, paradigma. Sophocles’ play, Antigone, displays the paradigm shift, a new pattern in the workings of the world, that occurred between the times of patriarchal Theban society and what now is Western culture. However, the paradigm shift is not due to any character, titular or otherwise, progressing and developing into a new frame of mind through some sort of revelation. It is, instead, due to the conflicting paradigms of the two sisters, Antigone and Ismene, building off each other, which advances questions that must be answered for the development of society. Not simply one paradigm must win out. In Sophocles’ Antigone, the opposition between two equally
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Antigone sides with the future of humanity and obeying the laws of gods. When Creon is delving out the punishment, he accuses Ismene of being equally guilty if she does not deny her connection to the crime. Creon’s judgment at this moment almost places him as the chairperson to the debate between Antigone’s and Ismene’s positions. However, in this case, the winner of the debate will be the one that dies, as Sophocles uses death as the ultimate success for a cause focused on civil disobedience. A point is well proven if head of the movement dies for something unjust. The argument pitting Ismene and Antigone cannot simplistically be settled in this manner; the sisters are fighting the same battle. This is because Ismene, in following Creon’s law, is still concerned for her family. In trying to protect her sister, Ismene offers that, “if she will let me say so, I am guilty” (Sophocles 430). Ismene is willing to self-sacrifice just as much as Antigone. Likewise, Antigone in trying to respect her family, is following religious law. Antigone’s final words are, “What things I suffer, and at what man’s hands, Because I would not transgress the laws of heaven?” (Sophocles 734-35). Following the laws of heaven benefits Antigone’s brother Polyneices. Ismene valuing the lives of those alive, and Antigone valuing the afterlives of those who have died are congruous positions to hold. Sophocles specifically sets the two sisters into opposition …show more content…
Her actions in burying her brother Polyneices’ body against the decrees of Creon is an act of civil disobedience. She intentionally breaks the law and is willing to accept the consequences even if they mean death, and they do. Which is why it is difficult to believe that the story was written twenty-four centuries ago. We expect from that time period, the actions of women to be much more like Ismene, complying with the law and being obedient. It was not until the age of Antigone was mentioned that it started to make sense. She is the younger sister, placed at about fifteen years old, which is incredibly well concealed by her use of language and means of carrying
Antigone sides with the future of humanity and obeying the laws of gods. When Creon is delving out the punishment, he accuses Ismene of being equally guilty if she does not deny her connection to the crime. Creon’s judgment at this moment almost places him as the chairperson to the debate between Antigone’s and Ismene’s positions. However, in this case, the winner of the debate will be the one that dies, as Sophocles uses death as the ultimate success for a cause focused on civil disobedience. A point is well proven if head of the movement dies for something unjust. The argument pitting Ismene and Antigone cannot simplistically be settled in this manner; the sisters are fighting the same battle. This is because Ismene, in following Creon’s law, is still concerned for her family. In trying to protect her sister, Ismene offers that, “if she will let me say so, I am guilty” (Sophocles 430). Ismene is willing to self-sacrifice just as much as Antigone. Likewise, Antigone in trying to respect her family, is following religious law. Antigone’s final words are, “What things I suffer, and at what man’s hands, Because I would not transgress the laws of heaven?” (Sophocles 734-35). Following the laws of heaven benefits Antigone’s brother Polyneices. Ismene valuing the lives of those alive, and Antigone valuing the afterlives of those who have died are congruous positions to hold. Sophocles specifically sets the two sisters into opposition …show more content…
Her actions in burying her brother Polyneices’ body against the decrees of Creon is an act of civil disobedience. She intentionally breaks the law and is willing to accept the consequences even if they mean death, and they do. Which is why it is difficult to believe that the story was written twenty-four centuries ago. We expect from that time period, the actions of women to be much more like Ismene, complying with the law and being obedient. It was not until the age of Antigone was mentioned that it started to make sense. She is the younger sister, placed at about fifteen years old, which is incredibly well concealed by her use of language and means of carrying