Examples Of Fearlessness In Antigone

After reading Antigone, many people have the idea that Haimon is the character that has the most strength of will. He stands up to his father, defends the woman he loves and risks his home and his father's trust to save her. Although Haimon does attempt to save Antigone from her death, Antigone is fearless, independent and determined during her mission to let her brother rest in peace. At the time the play was written, a person who died would not be fully at peace without a burial ceremony. Antigone wants a proper burial for her brother and is willing to risk her life to accomplish it. In the past, our society believed that a woman needs to depend on a man to protect her. Today, many of us are aware of the sexist beliefs that made up our history. …show more content…
An example of Antigone’s fearlessness is her bravery after being taken by Creon's men. According to Sentry, Antigone “was not afraid,/ Not even when we charged her with what she had/ done./ She denied nothing./ And this was a comfort to [him],/ And some uneasiness; for it is a good thing/ to escape from death, but it is no great pleasure/ To bring death to a friend” (207). Antigone did not deny the accusations nor was she scared of what might happen to her. Another example of Antigone’s fearlessness is her respnse when she is thrown in front of Creon's questioning stare. Antigone stated her wish boldly, “ I beg you: kill me/ This talking is a great weariness: you words/ Are distasteful to me, and I am sure that mine/ Seem so to you. And yet they should not seem so:/ I should have praise and honor for what I have/ done” ( 210). Antigone is not afraid of Creon. She sticks to what she believes in, showing her couragousness. Lastly, Antigone is brave in the face of her own impending death. Before she dies she states, “To me, since it was my hand/ That washed him clean and poured the ritual wine:/ And my reward is death before my time!/ And yet, as men’s heart know, I have done no/ Wrong” (227). After that scene, Antigone kills herself. She doesn’t do it for a man nor does she have anyone else's feelings in mind besides hers and Polynices’. She does what she knows is …show more content…
After being denied help she still goes through with her plans. She responds to the refusal by saying, “You have made your choice, you can be what you/ want to be./ But I will bury him; and if I must die,/ I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down/ With him in death, and I shall be dear/ To him as he to me” (pg 192). In this scene, Antigone goes to her sister, Ismene, asking for help. Ismene is afraid of what Creon might do to her and tells Antigone she won't assist her. Following being pushed away by her sister, she continues on with her mission. After being unsuccessful at the first attempt of burying her brother, Antigone tries again. This time, the king's men are looking for the culprit. When Creon's men find her, they report back to Creon saying, “when this girl/ Found the bare corpse, and all her work/ wasted,/ She wept, and cried on heaven to damn the hands/ That had done this thing./ And then she brought more dust/ And sprinkled wine three times for her brother’s/ ghost” (pg 207). Antigone still shows up to cover Polynices’ body, even at the risk of being caught. Her actions of unbelieveable determinedness shows the heroism in her character. Lastly, Antigone accepts her punishment because she know that it is an honorable death. Right before being sent to jail, Antigone says, “Good-by to the sun that shines for me no longer; Now sleepy Death/ Summons me down to Acheron, that cold