The focal point of Sophocles’ Antigone is the protagonist’s desire and search for justice. Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, is the play’s tragic heroine who fights against the evil Creon, the current King of Thebes. Her rebellion against the king was ignited by her thirst for justice, stopping at nearly nothing to combat the immoralities standing in her way. In her heart, the sacredness of family and honor is the pinnacle aspect of her life. These beliefs of hers create the source of conflict and drama found within the play, and eventually lead to her own death. While she does perish, her demise is the spark for all critical events in the play and create the meaning and purpose of the literature.
Antigone’s definition of justice is the …show more content…
By doing so, she not only winds up dead, but wreaks havoc throughout the city of Thebes. While it sounds like the classic ending to a tragic story, these turn-of-events mark Antigone’s large success in her desires to reach justice. Her understanding of justice is to glorify the gods by honoring, and remaining loyal to, family. In her eyes, the power of the gods is much more puissant compared to the laws of government on Earth. Antigone remained faithful to her religion and the gods in confidence of security and comfort, rather than abandoning her values in fear of death. Her goal was to achieve glory and respect from the gods, and by doing so she had to obey their rules and bury her brother. Throughout the passage, it is clear that Antigone is fearless and impudent, and did not back down from confrontations with Creon or Ismene. She not only stands strong against the fear of death, but encourages it; “And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him- an outrage sacred to the gods! I have longer to please the dead than please the living her: in the kingdom down below I’ll lie forever,” (86-90). Her death is her glory, or her success. It allows her to achieve glory and live eternally after her passing. For Antigone, her demise is her reward for performing Polynice’s burial. She desires it, pleading, “give me glory!” (561). By killing herself, Antigone is successful in her search for justice. By ending her life, she unfolds chaos and tragedy throughout the city of Thebes; her husband Haemon kills himself in panic of his wife’s death, which then leads to his mother Eurydice’s suicide. These sudden and tragic losses spark panic and sorrow in Creon’s heart, causing him to swell with guilt and regret. Despite
Antigone’s definition of justice is the …show more content…
By doing so, she not only winds up dead, but wreaks havoc throughout the city of Thebes. While it sounds like the classic ending to a tragic story, these turn-of-events mark Antigone’s large success in her desires to reach justice. Her understanding of justice is to glorify the gods by honoring, and remaining loyal to, family. In her eyes, the power of the gods is much more puissant compared to the laws of government on Earth. Antigone remained faithful to her religion and the gods in confidence of security and comfort, rather than abandoning her values in fear of death. Her goal was to achieve glory and respect from the gods, and by doing so she had to obey their rules and bury her brother. Throughout the passage, it is clear that Antigone is fearless and impudent, and did not back down from confrontations with Creon or Ismene. She not only stands strong against the fear of death, but encourages it; “And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him- an outrage sacred to the gods! I have longer to please the dead than please the living her: in the kingdom down below I’ll lie forever,” (86-90). Her death is her glory, or her success. It allows her to achieve glory and live eternally after her passing. For Antigone, her demise is her reward for performing Polynice’s burial. She desires it, pleading, “give me glory!” (561). By killing herself, Antigone is successful in her search for justice. By ending her life, she unfolds chaos and tragedy throughout the city of Thebes; her husband Haemon kills himself in panic of his wife’s death, which then leads to his mother Eurydice’s suicide. These sudden and tragic losses spark panic and sorrow in Creon’s heart, causing him to swell with guilt and regret. Despite