Antigone Research Paper

In the play “Antigone”, by Sophecles, the main character Antigone finds herself having to overcome an obstacle that is beyond the King Creon’s understanding. Creon’s demand was that Antigone’s brother, Polyneices, not receive a burial because he is considered a traitor to the city. However, Antigone worships a higher God than the mortal Creon or the country’s laws. She believes that God’s word and law is above any human being. This drives Antigone to give her brother the burial he deserves, even if it leads to her death. Her loyalty and dedication to her family overpowers any obligation she may have to her community. She believes that God has a bigger plan and her brother should receive a rightful burial.

Antigone is the kind of character who follows her heart and acts on impulse and emotions. She will not yield to the word of the law when her heart leads her in the opposite direction, even if the penalty for defying the law is death itself. When the law is given to deny her brother Polyneices to be buried, her heart reaches out to the thought of his pale, life-less body being eatan and tortured by dogs and other animals. Haimen speaks of the city saying, “She covered her brother’s body. Is that indecent? She kept him from dogs and vultures. Is that a crime? Death?- She should have all the honor that we can give her.” (206) If no one else will give him a proper burial, she will, no matter what the consequences. She does so with honor and respect for her brother, not caring if she is betraying her own community. She says, “This death of mine is of no importance; but if I had left my brother lying in death unburied, I should have suffered. Now I do not.” (203) By burying her beloved brother, she is at peace.

Creon, the King, illustrates his disgust through distasteful words for both Antigone and her brother, speaking of Polyneices betrayal of his community. He says, “An enemy is an enemy, even dead.” (206) Creon wonders how Antigone can’t see how wrong it is that she has defied the law, and how disrespectful her brother has been to the community. Antigone explains to Creon, “It is my nature to join in love not hate.” (206) She cannot hate her brother for what he has done. She accepts her death willingly and feels no guilt for what she has done. She says, “There is no guilt in reverence for the dead.” (206) Later she reiterates, “Nevertheless, there are honors due all the dead.” (205)

It is expected that people be completely dedicated to the community in which they live and are expected to follow the laws that are presented by the King. As part of Antigone’s character, she believes love for her family is more important than love for the state. When laws interfere with one’s respect for their family, what does one do? Do they follow the law in order to avoid punishment? Or do they give their family what they rightfully deserve? These questions may perplex the people in this city, but not Antigone. She is not afraid to show King Creon that her love for her brother is worth breaking any law. When Creon explains to Antigone that her brother Eteocles was an honorable member of society and that Polyneices was a traitor, her reply is that Polyneices is “his own brother, traitor or not, and equal in blood.” (205

It should not matter what Polyneices did. He should be treated as Eteocles was treated, for the bond between family members is stronger than that of any patriotic duty. Ismene, at first, does not feel the same way. Antigone says to Ismene, “And now you can prove what you are: a true sister, or a traitor to your family.” (186) Ismene, scared for her life, says, “We are only women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone! The law is strong, we must give in to the law in this thing, and in worse. I beg the Dead to forgive me, but I am helpless: I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to be always meddling.” (188).

Ismene’s fear of the King and of the law persuades her not to yield to Antigone. However, Antigone has a passion deep inside her. She is the only one strong enough to stand up for what she believes is unjust, and bring justice to a family member. She has no care in the world for any person who either disagrees with her, or has hatred for her for what she has done. She does what she feels is right for her family, and an unjust law cannot prevent her from following her heart. She will bring justice to her brother by dying for his very cause. Antigone says, “But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death, and I shall be as dear to him as he to me.” (188)

In addition to her strong family bonds, Antigone has an incredible bond with the gods. Her connection with them overpowers her connection with human laws. Mortal laws are laws that are believed to be necessary for the members of society in order for the community to run properly and safely. The king also establishes laws in order to bring justice to people, in his opinion. People may not necessarily agree with them, but their mouths are closed and they obey the law. When Creon denies Polyneices a burial, Antigone sees this as an unjust law, and something terrible, beyond what she can bear. She believes that the gods themselves see this as unjust as well, for all men should receive a proper burial. Antigone says to Creon, “It was not God’s proclamation. That final Justice that rules the world below makes no such laws.” (203)

Her words cannot save her, however. Creon’s belief is that the gods would not have respect for a traitor, and would not allow a burial. Antigone makes a good point, though, when she questions, “Which of us can say what the gods hold wicked?” (206) The king himself cannot speak for the gods. According to Antigone, he should only obey them. Creon can think for himself, but he can’t rely on his opinion alone. He has to look to what other people think as well. And the gods think for themselves, and Antigone sees this. She is in tune with the gods because she follows her heart and her instincts. When it is too late, Creon will learn to do the same. No one can go against the gods and get away with it. He loses both his son and his wife to stubbornness. When the news comes to him of these deaths he says, “O God, I am sick with fear. Are there no swords here? Has no one a blow for me?” Later he admits that he was wrong by saying, “Lead me away. I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and my wife. I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead. Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing.” (238)

Antigone’s constant strength and persistent respect for her brother leads her to conflicts resulting in her death, but her character never dies. She represents the persona of someone who knows what they believe in, and shows this to the world with the strongest force inside of her, passion. She has the willingness to understand and abide by the law of the gods over any human code of law. Her ever-present love and respect for her brother shines through in her deliverance of his rightful burial, and shows the entire community that the bond between family is a bond stronger than any other existing bond. She says, “Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way.” (187) Her heart speaks of a force that can burst through the strongest of laws, regardless of any consequence bestowed upon her. She says to Ismene, “But as for me, I will bury the brother I love.” (188) Antigone realizes that even though the rest of the community has their lips sealed about their opinion of the king, she does not need to bow down in shame, and makes it very clear that pride is not a stranger to her.

Antigone accepts her death with honor, and to show Creon her unrelenting pursuit of justice, she takes her own life, and makes way for a wretched life for Creon. With time, he will live alone, without love, respect, loyalty, or the family he held so close to his heart. He falls to his knees in shame and embarrassment, and is forced to live his life without any hope of finding the happiness he thought he had created.

Sophocles, “Antigone.” Barnes and Noble books.