Antigone Plot Analysis

Antigone by Sophocles, is a Greek tragedy that has a unified plot. The plot is a controlling structure that drives the story as it develops throughout the sequence of events from beginning to end. A good plot does not overshadow the other elements, however its’ own elements are nothing short of notable. Antigone’s plot action along with other plot elements successfully drive its storyline along as the characters respond to the conflict presented. Firstly, a unified plot contains a beginning, middle, and end in its structure as if follows a linear chain of events through the cause and effect. In Antigone, its exposition in the beginning reveals the tragedy’s situation and even a part of its conflict. Antigone wishes to bury her brother Polyneices …show more content…
She also asks for Ismene’s help, but she refuses. Even though her sister refuses to help her Antigone is determined to give her brother a proper burial. In this initial situation presented, Antigone’s failure is almost suggested. As she and Ismene discuss their brother’s situation, Antigone makes it clear that she is willing to die for her cause as she says that, “that death will be a glory” (Sophocles, Antigone 86). Now that the circumstances have been established, the plot is set in motion and moves onto the rising action. As Creon is explaining to the leader about his decision that never will a “traitor be honored above the patriot” and that anyone who against his orders must surely have a death wish, a sentry interrupts and claims someone buried the corpse of Plyneices (Sophocles, Antigone 233). The sentry tries to explain that all the guards were oblivious as to who would do such a thing since there were no signs of anyone or anything being there, the leader suggests that perhaps the gods were behind this. Of course, Creon is in disbelief and is furious. This rising action is particularly important since Creon has just become the knew king of Thebes and is already being defied and it makes him uneasy that he isn’t being respected. The conflict is …show more content…
Even though Antigone faces what should be her biggest crisis, she accepts her fate as she had mentioned to Ismene in the beginning. However, she only does so after she challenges Creon’s beliefs and moral authority to prohibit a person’s proper burial. As the tension subsides, suspense comes into place as Creon’s son, Haemon, pleads with his father to let go of Antigone. As Haemon is about to leave, he foreshadows his own death as he says his father will never see Antigone die beside him. The leader also tells Creon that if he “hurt him once, he may do something violent”, which is exactly what ends up happening (Sophocles, Antigone