In the play, Antigone by Sophocles, a young woman named Antigone is torn between being a convenient, obedient citizen and a rebellious, law-defying woman in order to pursue her own moral self-interests. Antigone is portrayed as a strong-willed woman who strives to re-shape female stereotypes during ancient Greece and in doing so, clashes with King Creon, and her own sister, Ismene. Antigone has no regard for life as she perceives death as a glorious reward that will satisfy her motive to bury her dead brother, Polynices. Antigone’s actions begs the question, how far could someone possibly go in order to satisfy their own motives? Sophocles uses positive diction and the motif of death to show how Antigone glorifies death and righteousness in
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When Antigone engages in a heated conversation with Creon, she tells him, “I’ll soon embrace my own, the great growing family of our dead” (980-981). This quote supports the idea that not only will Antigone be with her family again, but she will be escaping Creon’s evil and corrupt rule. The word, “embrace” also implies a positive tone because Antigone will cherish the moment when she’ll finally reunite with many of her perished family members, especially her two dead brothers and parents. Later, when she confronts Creon about her wrongdoing, Antigone says, “to meet this doom of yours is precious little pain” (519). To view imprisonment and death as “precious” illustrates the positive outlook Antigone has on her punishment. Precious is often associated with something that’s of great value, and in this case, Antigone views her fate being sealed as a worthwhile experience that shall be cherished and valued. Additionally, Antigone’s positive perspective on death is further supported when she says, “I honored you (Polynices)” (994), and “this is my reward”(993). The fact that Antigone views death as a reward indicates her glorious view towards death. A reward usually identifies with something positive or joyful, but in Antigone’s perspective, death is the best reward she can get because she …show more content…
Antigone’s uplifting spirit when facing death is also depicted by her ecstatic tone. She says, “I descend alive to the caverns of dead”(1012), and “your dying drags me down to death alive!” (958). The word, “alive” in these two quotes strengthen the idea that Antigone doesn’t perceive death the way it is. Descending “alive” to death implies her positive view towards death and how she will continue to thrive in the underworld alongside many of her family members who’ve already perished. On the other hand, although Antigone has no fear of dying, it is illustrated throughout the play that her stubborn and audacious behavior will eventually lead to devastating consequences. Regardless of how positive Antigone views death, her actions and stubbornness were severe enough that death took her life away. This idea is supported by the chorus when they say, “you went too far, the last limits of daring” (943), “attacks on power never go unchecked” (959) and “your passion has destroyed you”(962). The chorus suggests the idea that Antigone’s passionate and prideful behavior towards Creon has led to her fate being sealed. Although her intention is to seek justice for Polynices, it is proven that her behavior surpassed the acceptable
When Antigone engages in a heated conversation with Creon, she tells him, “I’ll soon embrace my own, the great growing family of our dead” (980-981). This quote supports the idea that not only will Antigone be with her family again, but she will be escaping Creon’s evil and corrupt rule. The word, “embrace” also implies a positive tone because Antigone will cherish the moment when she’ll finally reunite with many of her perished family members, especially her two dead brothers and parents. Later, when she confronts Creon about her wrongdoing, Antigone says, “to meet this doom of yours is precious little pain” (519). To view imprisonment and death as “precious” illustrates the positive outlook Antigone has on her punishment. Precious is often associated with something that’s of great value, and in this case, Antigone views her fate being sealed as a worthwhile experience that shall be cherished and valued. Additionally, Antigone’s positive perspective on death is further supported when she says, “I honored you (Polynices)” (994), and “this is my reward”(993). The fact that Antigone views death as a reward indicates her glorious view towards death. A reward usually identifies with something positive or joyful, but in Antigone’s perspective, death is the best reward she can get because she …show more content…
Antigone’s uplifting spirit when facing death is also depicted by her ecstatic tone. She says, “I descend alive to the caverns of dead”(1012), and “your dying drags me down to death alive!” (958). The word, “alive” in these two quotes strengthen the idea that Antigone doesn’t perceive death the way it is. Descending “alive” to death implies her positive view towards death and how she will continue to thrive in the underworld alongside many of her family members who’ve already perished. On the other hand, although Antigone has no fear of dying, it is illustrated throughout the play that her stubborn and audacious behavior will eventually lead to devastating consequences. Regardless of how positive Antigone views death, her actions and stubbornness were severe enough that death took her life away. This idea is supported by the chorus when they say, “you went too far, the last limits of daring” (943), “attacks on power never go unchecked” (959) and “your passion has destroyed you”(962). The chorus suggests the idea that Antigone’s passionate and prideful behavior towards Creon has led to her fate being sealed. Although her intention is to seek justice for Polynices, it is proven that her behavior surpassed the acceptable