Who Was Responsible For Antigone's Downfall

Antigone’s audacity causes her downfall as she insists to risk burying her brother and defy the state’s laws, proving that audacity results with unfavorable actions that one wouldn’t sensibly desire to do. Creon tries to advise Antigone and help her escape the punishment she faces when she disobeys the state’s law, however, she disrespectfully opposes this and says, “Why then delay [my execution]? There is nothing you can say that I would wish to hear…” (139). Unwilling to cooperate with the king’s help, Antigone expresses her disinterest by not considering the offer. She questions Creon “Why then delay [my execution]?” to express her carelessness for his advice and her stubborn mind. By questioning Creon, Antigone stresses her resoluteness against Creon’s indecisiveness, which besmirches his authority and …show more content…
In other words, Antigone pays back Creon, for his attempt to help her, by disrespecting and resisting his laws that were meant to maintain order in the state. This is absolutely illogical, because one would not usually harm a person offering help, but Antigone’s action was a natural result caused by her inability to be open-minded, due to her audacity. Antigone continues to challenge Creon by saying “There is nothing you can say that I would wish to hear.” Antigone’s clear statement combined with her strong diction reveal her determination and unwillingness to revisit her decision by any logical argument or help offered by anyone. The stubbornness in the passage reveals that Antigone is completely blocking people’s advice, even if they were to act for her own benefit. This error in judgement is what causes her to disrespect others for no logical reason, which causes her downfall. Antigone is then sent to serve her punishment and she says, “It was by this service to your body, Polynices, I earned the punishment which I now suffer…”