Antigone
Introduction
Antigone is a Sophocles play written after a civil war whereby Oedipus Eteocles and polyneices kill each other. The new King Creon who is Antigone’s uncle punishes polyneices for being disloyal by not giving him a proper burial. Antigone then fights for her brother to be given a decent burial. This paper analyzes the character traits of Antigone.
Antigone is very committed to her family. When her brother dies, she fights for him to be given a proper burial despite her life being in danger. She is so determined. We also see Antigone’s commitment when she perfoms rituals for her brother and appealing to the gods for justice.
Antigone is also depicted as being independent and loyal. Though her brother is considered disloyal and a traitor. She still goes ahead and buries polyneices hence disobeying the king Creon (Honig, 2013). According to their culture, burial was important for a soul to get rest. We also see Antigone’s independence when her sister Ismene is against her actions, but she still goes ahead to bury her brother.
We can also see Antigone’s impatience and rush when she hangs herself in the tomb. Creon punishes Antigone by burying her alive in a tomb, Antigone is in a rush to die because she did not want the slow painful death hence she hangs herself, not knowing that Creon would change his mind. Creon sends his people to set Antigone free only to find her dead.
Antigone is suicidal. She hangs her self hence commiting sucide. Haemon, who is Creon’s son, is in love with Antigone. When Haemon receives the news about Antigone’s death. He also commits suicide. Haemonn’s mother who is also the Queen commits suicide upon hearing the news about his son’s death.
Antigone is fearless. Though she knows Creons rules and orders not to bury polyneices she does not fear him. Instead Antigone fears the gods and seeks justice from them (Honig, 2013). Antigone also does not fear the repucations and consequences of disobeying the king and Creon.
She is also seen to be stubborn when she disobeys the orders from the king not to bury polyneices but then she goes ahead and bury’s him. Her stubbornness is also seen when she commits suicide instead instead of having the death that was given to her by the king.
Antigone is seen to have a lot of pride when she does not listen to her sister Ismene and thinks that she’s right. Her pride is also seen when she does not plead with the king and Creon when she is sentenced to die in a cave. Antigone is so brave that she gives his brother a proper burial even though he was considered a traitor.
Death is a rite of passage according to the greek culture, when one dies they are supposed to be given a proper burial in order for their souls to rest and not roam in the streets. She goes agaist Creon’s orders and does accorging to the will of the gods.
Antigone is so passionate about burying his brother. Not even the king or her sister Ismene stops her from burying polyneices. She has already made up her mind and he does make sure his brother gets a proper burial and honouring his the gods.
In conclusion a little pride is important though too much of it can hurt our loved words. Also we should also consider others before making decisions. Those in power should not abuse their power and authority.
References
Honig, B. (2013). Antigone, interrupted. Cambridge University Press.