The story of Antigone begins with the conquest of Thebes, a Greek city-state. The ruler of Thebes, Oedipus, stepped down and gave both of his sons, Eteocles and Polynices power to rule Thebes. The only condition was that they must alternate being king on a yearly basis. However, Eteocles refused to give up his power at the end of the year and exiled his brother Polynices from Thebes. In anger of being exiled, Polynices travels to the nearby city-states to gather an army to retake Thebes from his brother Eteocles. With the support of an army, Polynices marches on Thebes in an attempt to take back the throne from his brother. Unfortunately, the two brothers meet on the battlefield and are both killed in combat. With the two brothers dead, their
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Creon represents the power of man and Antigone represents the power of the gods. Antigone believes that the laws set by the gods are above all else in this world. She tells Creon after she is captured “Your edict, King, was strong, But all your strength is weakness itself against the immortal unrecorded laws of God.” (360) This quote shows that Antigone believes that the laws set by man mean nothing when put up against the laws set by the gods. Antigone represents the belief that this life isn’t the only context to consider. That your actions in this life will ultimately determine your afterlife, which Antigone feels is more important and why she felt obligated to bury her …show more content…
The main reason is her determination to follow her beliefs even when facing death. She believes that she must do right by the gods and bury her brother even when she knows it could result in her death. She also wasn’t afraid to let other people know that she is going to bury Polynices. After Ismene tell Antigone that she will keep it a secret, Antigone says to Ismene “Oh tell it! Tell everyone Think how they’ll hate you when it all comes out If they learn that you knew about it all the time!” (70) which shows that Antigone isn’t afraid of being caught burying her brother. Even when Ismene attempted to save Antigone’s life by stating to Creon that she was involved in burying Polynices as well, Antigone states “No, Ismene. You have no right to say so. You would not help me, and I will not have you help me.” (460) Her fearlessness to follow what she believes is true, even in the face of death is what qualifies her as a heroic
Creon represents the power of man and Antigone represents the power of the gods. Antigone believes that the laws set by the gods are above all else in this world. She tells Creon after she is captured “Your edict, King, was strong, But all your strength is weakness itself against the immortal unrecorded laws of God.” (360) This quote shows that Antigone believes that the laws set by man mean nothing when put up against the laws set by the gods. Antigone represents the belief that this life isn’t the only context to consider. That your actions in this life will ultimately determine your afterlife, which Antigone feels is more important and why she felt obligated to bury her …show more content…
The main reason is her determination to follow her beliefs even when facing death. She believes that she must do right by the gods and bury her brother even when she knows it could result in her death. She also wasn’t afraid to let other people know that she is going to bury Polynices. After Ismene tell Antigone that she will keep it a secret, Antigone says to Ismene “Oh tell it! Tell everyone Think how they’ll hate you when it all comes out If they learn that you knew about it all the time!” (70) which shows that Antigone isn’t afraid of being caught burying her brother. Even when Ismene attempted to save Antigone’s life by stating to Creon that she was involved in burying Polynices as well, Antigone states “No, Ismene. You have no right to say so. You would not help me, and I will not have you help me.” (460) Her fearlessness to follow what she believes is true, even in the face of death is what qualifies her as a heroic