Antigone is very prideful, a hamartia which drives her to purposefully defy the laws of the state and blinds her to the consequences her actions might bring, ultimately leading to her demise. Antigone knowingly disobeys the laws of her ruler by burying her brother, Polyneices, and is proud to do so out of the conviction to remain loyal to her family and the laws of the gods. Polyneices died in battle as a traitor to the country of Thebes and King Creon has insisted that “no traitor is going to be honored with the loyal man.” (Antigone 197). However, Antigone feels that it is her family responsibility to honor her brother by giving him a proper burial, and is proud to take it upon herself to do so regardless of Creon’s rule.
The pride Antigone …show more content…
Although Ismene was opposed to Antigone’s decision to bury Polyneices and did not assist her, when she hears that she is going to be put to death, she “wants to die with her” (Antigone 212) However, Antigone says that she has “no right to say so” (Antigone 212). She is persistent in denying Ismene’s offer to confess guilty alongside her because she is proud of what she has done and wants all of the credit, saying to Ismene, “You would not help me, and I will not have you/help me.” (Antigone 212) Antigone is too proud of her defiance of the law to share the accusation with someone who has not expressed this same …show more content…
She is so blinded by this flaw that she cannot see beyond her actions or how they will affect those around her. At her death, Ismene is left without a sister and would rather die beside her than to “go on living without her.” (214) Her suicide also causes that of her fiancé, Haimon, who says that Antigone’s death “will cause another” (Antigone 222) This promise is fulfilled when, at the loss of Antigone, Haimon stabs himself.
Antigone’s destruction and that of her loved ones could have been avoided had she been able to swallow her pride. She could have escaped death several times, but was too proud of her actions to deny them. The confidence she took in doing so resulted in her demise as she was willing to be guilty of her own death in order to show the satisfaction she took in her defiance of the
The pride Antigone …show more content…
Although Ismene was opposed to Antigone’s decision to bury Polyneices and did not assist her, when she hears that she is going to be put to death, she “wants to die with her” (Antigone 212) However, Antigone says that she has “no right to say so” (Antigone 212). She is persistent in denying Ismene’s offer to confess guilty alongside her because she is proud of what she has done and wants all of the credit, saying to Ismene, “You would not help me, and I will not have you/help me.” (Antigone 212) Antigone is too proud of her defiance of the law to share the accusation with someone who has not expressed this same …show more content…
She is so blinded by this flaw that she cannot see beyond her actions or how they will affect those around her. At her death, Ismene is left without a sister and would rather die beside her than to “go on living without her.” (214) Her suicide also causes that of her fiancé, Haimon, who says that Antigone’s death “will cause another” (Antigone 222) This promise is fulfilled when, at the loss of Antigone, Haimon stabs himself.
Antigone’s destruction and that of her loved ones could have been avoided had she been able to swallow her pride. She could have escaped death several times, but was too proud of her actions to deny them. The confidence she took in doing so resulted in her demise as she was willing to be guilty of her own death in order to show the satisfaction she took in her defiance of the