The Death Of Antigone By Sophocles Essay

All throughout Greek history and literature, heroes and heroines have suffered unbearable consequences from weaknesses, such as too much pride, oppressive fear, or putting family values before laws of the land. In this classical Greek play, written by Sophocles, the main character, Antigone, has to make difficult choices pertaining to life or death throughout the course of the story. This play takes place in the glorious city of Thebes, which has seen many deaths in the royal family. Starting with Oedipus, the father of Antigone, Eteocles and Polyneices, the brothers of Antigone, who fought each other for the throne, and Jocasta, the mother of Antigone. Eteoclês was honored at death by proper burial, but Polyneices was not. Because of his actions of rebellion against the city of Thebes, the former king, Creon, the uncle of Antigone, formed a law stating that no one was to bury or mourn for Polyneices. This was seen as unjust to Antigone, thus it became the key that caused the downfall or “tragedy” of so many more lives. Antigone exhibits many characteristics that show how someone is willing to give up their life for another’s, through having the courage and strength to go against the law, by fulfilling her duty of burying Polyneices, that is defined by love, honor, and even tradition. In the beginning of the play, Antigone and Ismene, both royal sisters of Oedipus, were discussing what should be done for Polyneices. Antigone argued they should bury him and give him the…