Antigone Themes
- Fate versus free will: The play encourages the audience to appreciate the role of fate in creating divine balance.
- Respect for death: Death is inevitable and can be even seen as a reward—one which Antigone is granted and Creon is denied.
- Gender roles: The powers of women are shown to be derived from the gods just as much as political power is.
What is the main idea in ' Antigone '?
What is the main idea of ‘Antigone’? The main idea of the Sophocles , Antigone story goes around the idea of divine law and state laws. The story starts with Antigone talking to her sister Ismene about the death of her brother Eteocles and Polynices and the unfairness of the king Creon .
What does Antigone represent in the play?
The main symbol in ''Antigone'' is the stone tomb. For Creon, it represents being true to the living state and rulers, instead of the dead ones. For the gods, this tomb represents dishonor and disregard for them. Other symbols in ''Antigone'' include money, as Creon believes that greed must lead people.
What is the Order of events in 'Antigone'?
Timeline of Events in Antigone. Event #1. Creon now rules and decides that Eteocles, who died defending the city, is to be buried with full honors, while the body of Polynices, the invader, is left to rot. Event #2. Outraged, Antigone reveals to Ismene a plan to bury Polynices in secret, and go against Creon’s order. Event #3.
What is the meaning behind "Antigone"?
The meaning of Antigone is "Against birth". Its origin is " Variant of the Greek name Antigonos ". Antigone is a form of Antigonos and is generally pronounced like " an TIG eh nee ".
What is the theme of Antigone and why?
Antigone concludes that Creon's edict that Polyneices not be buried is the law but is not moral. Therefore, she concludes, the moral thing to do is to break the unjust law. Antigone also states that her actions were righteous, because she says she was disobeying Creon's laws in order to obey the gods' laws.
What is the universal theme of Antigone?
Antigone has a clearly defined theme of family versus state. In Sophocles's tragedy, he depicts the conflict of Antigone wanting to save her family from dishonor against Creon's obsession with law and civil order.
What is the theme of Antigone sparknotes?
Antigone in particular manifests her hatred for the ideal of femininity Ismene incarnates in their childhood, brutally binding her sister to a tree to stage her mutilation. Anouilh attributes Antigone's hate and envy in Ismene's capacity to figure as an object of desire, as the woman men want.
What is the main argument of Antigone?
Antigone makes an impassioned argument, declaring Creon's order to be against the laws of the gods themselves. Enraged by Antigone's refusal to submit to his authority, Creon declares that she and her sister will be put to death.
What is the meaning of Antigone?
Antigone in American English (ænˈtɪɡəˌni) noun. Classical Mythology. a daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta who defied her uncle, King Creon, by performing funeral rites over her brother, Polynices, and was condemned to be immured alive in a cave.
What is the meaning of Antigone play?
The play is about Antigone's disobedience of Creon's rules when she insists on burying her brother, Polyneices. Antigone, Haemon, and Eurydice die at the end of the play, to Creon's great distress. The play addresses themes of civil disobedience, morality, loyalty, authority, and gender.
How is pride a theme in Antigone?
Pride in one's own honour is very prominent in the play, in Antigone and Haemon in particular. Antigone shows this early on in the play, where in her pride she refuses to obey the laws of the state, and rails against them to bury her dead brother, Polyneices.
What is a good thesis for Antigone?
The thesis statement (the first sentence of the conclusion) is as follows: Creon most closely fits with Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero because of his mistakes, his pride, his great downfall, and his suffering. This thesis statement is certainly defensible and completely addresses the prompt.
What is the story of Antigone about?
Antigone, moved by love for her brother and convinced of the injustice of the command, buried Polyneices secretly. For that she was ordered by Creon to be executed and was immured in a cave, where she hanged herself. Her beloved, Haemon, son of Creon, committed suicide.
Who is the tragic hero in Antigone?
Antigone is the tragic hero because she sticks to her beliefs in the Gods and family and dies because of her loyalty to them.
Why does Antigone bury her brother?
Why Did Antigone Bury Polyneices? Antigone buried her brother out of devotion and loyalty to both the Gods and her family. Without one or the other, she would not have had the courage or thought of going against Creon's law and putting her life out on the line.
What drives Antigone the most?
Antigone's motivation is love for her family- she puts it above all else. In fact, she is willing to sacrifice her life to defend that love.
What is the theme of Antigone?
Antigone Themes. Themes are overarching ideas, thoughts, and philosophical concepts that the writers present in their works. Antigone has themes that are not only universal but also applicable to this day. Sophocles has put a few intriguing themes in Antigone that display his understanding of those concepts and ideas of his time.
What is Antigone's role in Oedipus's play?
The very title of the play shows that it is about Oedipus’ daughter, Antigone. She has risen to prominence for being the sister who has refused to accept Creon’s command. She decides to go against him and give a proper burial to her brother, who rebelled against the state. As a woman, a second-class citizen of Thebes, Creon has not given her any importance. However, she refuses to accept his logic. On the other hand, Ismene submits to the patriarchal will and power.
What is Creon's pride?
When Creon says that he has the power to create a law and that he believes that divine will is at his back, it is a pride and arroga nce. As humans are not supposed to be law creator law nor have the divine right. Therefore, when Tiresias warns Creon that he would suffer, Creon realizes that he has sinned. He accepts Tiresias only when it dawns upon him that he will have to suffer more. In other words, his pride has brought him to kneel before the Thebans for what he considers his just and right path sheer in his arrogance of being a wise ruler.
How does Creon use his power?
Creon uses his power as a ruler to stop the rebellion and award death sentences. However, when it comes to natural or divine rights and prevalent morality, his power does not seem to override the moral framework. Although he tries his best to justify his action of preventing the burial of Polynices’ body and terrifying Antigone of consequences, he faces divine punishment in the shape of the devastation of his how family. This is what he has to face on account of the wrong use of power.
Why does Tiresias kneel before the Thebans?
In other words, his pride has brought him to kneel before the Thebans for what he considers his just and right path sheer in his arrogance of being a wise ruler.
What is Creon's role in Antigone?
The debate of law as a natural element or man-made has been going on since time immemorial. Creon, as the king, has assumed the role of a lawgiver as was considered during those times. He believes in complete obedience of his subjects to the law that is also from the divine powers. His command of non-burial of Polynices, the brother of Antigone, invites silent wrath from the citizens but open rebellion from Antigone. She appeals to the natural laws that have come from the divine powers instead of Creon. She believes that it is from the gods that the dead should be given a proper burial. However, when Creon distorts this divine law, her sense of justice is outraged, and she openly rebels despite severe consequences. She performs his burial rights and defies the kingly law of Creon.
What are the political and family loyalties in the Greeks?
Political and Family Loyalty. Greeks were aware of the rights and duties of a citizen and the role of a family in a state. They were also aware of how a citizen should behave politically. Both of the characters of Sophocles, Antigone, and Creon represent political as well as family loyalties in the play. Whereas Creon is a king and has kingly ...
What little integrity does Ismene seem to have when she offers to share Antigone's guilt?
What little integrity Ismene seems to have when she offers to share Antigone's guilt is a sham. She simply feels sorry for Antigone and for herself, coward that she is, and she wants to relieve herself of any responsibility in the matter, and rid herself of Oedipus's family curse.
What does Creon do to Antigone?
Creon's determination to put Antigone in what he sees as her place is tested through the bonds of family since he is her uncle. But his reinforcement of two cultural norms, obedience to the state and subordinate roles for women, leads him to ultimately put her to death when she defiantly rejects his way of thinking.
What does Haemon and Tiresias warn Creon about?
Haemon and Tiresias warn Creon that a tragedy that will befall his household if he does not pay attention to the law of the Gods. Creon refuses to listen. His refusal to afford Polynices a proper burial results in the suicide of both his son and wife and causes a plague in Thebes.
Why does Creon want Polynices to be buried?
Creon, who takes over the rule of Thebes after the civil war, decrees that Polynices should not be buried. He wants him to rot in the open air as a punishment for his treason and to set an example for others. In doing this, Creon is breaking Zeus's unwritten law about burial of the dead. Antigone, a very strong woman, refuses to see her brother dishonored in this way. She defies Creon's order and gives him a symbolic burial by sprinkling dirt on his body. Creon orders her to be executed, but she insists it is right to put the gods' laws—which are identified with universal laws—ahead of human laws.
What is the only element of the play that remains constant and uncompromised throughout the play?
The only element of the play that remains constant and uncompromised throughout the play is Antigone 's personal integrity. Early in the play, when Antigone appeals to her sister, Ismene, to help her bury their brother, Polyneices, Antigone expresses her personal integrity in simple, straightforward terms. ANTIGONE.
What does Creon demonstrate?
Creon appears to demonstrate personal integrity on behalf of himself, on behalf of the state, and on behalf of his position in the state, but his assertion of his integrity is misplaced, and his integrity is compromised and ultimately supplanted by hubris. He clearly values his pride and his position in the state above his integrity.
Who is the only character in the play whose integrity is unquestionably sincere, uncompromised,?
Antigone is the only character in the play whose integrity is unquestionably sincere, uncompromised, and ultimately unassailable.
What is the theme of Antigone?
The main theme of Antigone is the moral contradiction between doing good and bad. Meaning, you can still do bad when doing something good. An important ideal in Ancient Greece was the belief that the government was to have no control in matters concerning religious beliefs. In Antigone’s eyes, Creon betrayed that ideal by not allowing her to properly bury her brother, Eteocles. She believed that the burial was a religious ceremony, and Creon did not have the power to deny Eteocles that right. Antigone’s strong beliefs eventually led her to her death by the hand of Creon.
Why does Antigone say "I go his prisoner"?
As Creon ordered her to her death, Antigone exclaimed, “I go, his prisoner, because I honoured those things in which honour truly belongs. ” She is directly humiliating Creon by calling his opinions and decisions weak and unjust. She also emphasizes “his prisoner,” which tells us that Creon’s decision to capture Antigone was his own, and was not backed up by the majority of the people. She feels that Creon is abusing his power as king and dealing with her task to a personal level.
What is Creon's ideal?
The ideal states that the population would be granted freedom from political oppression and that freedom of religion would be carried out. Creon defied both of these. First, Antigone was “his prisoner”, not necessarily the publics. In fact, the general population supported Antigone, though they were too scared to say anything.
What is the theme of Antigone?
One of the major themes of the famous play Antigone by Sophocles is the sense of justice. It is possible to note that the play focuses on such moral issue as true justice. Antigone is the agent of morality in the play as she tries to make the things right and bury her brother who deserves being buried (just like his brother who is equally guilty). The burial of Polynices becomes a matter of morality and justice as Creon decides that Polynices’ brother, Eteocles, has the right to be buried according to all the laws of that time. Therefore, it is clear that two equally guilty people, who killed each other, are treated differently. Antigone is the one to bring moral principles to life.
What is Antigone's role in the book?
Admittedly, Antigone is the central character and the author makes her a symbolic representation of morality and justice. He creates a moral individual as if he wants to show people the way to live. It is possible to assume that Antigone is an example to follow for the spectators. Antigone is the one who provokes and inspires. She provokes people’s thinking and makes them contemplate their own actions and ways of life. Her love, devotion and sacrifice can inspire people to act morally no matter what.
What is Antigone's morality?
Antigone becomes a symbol of justice and morality. She becomes the moral agent who tries to restore justice. She is a loving sister and daughter. She understands that her two brothers were wrong to start the war against each other and kill each other. Nonetheless, she also knows that it is the right thing to do to bury both brothers according to the law of gods. She appeals to this law and she is committed to make sure that justice is manifested. She is ready to be punished by gods as she notes, “if this is something fine among the gods, / I’ll come to recognize that I’ve done wrong” (Sophocles 43). Even when she analyzes her own actions, she is ready to be punished for doing wrong. This is the highest level of morality.
What does Antigone say about the law of justice?
Antigone stresses that she breaks the law which is immoral and created by a man as there is the law of justice set by divine forces (Sophocles 42). She appeals to the higher forces and the law of the gods. Notably, she admits that no man can be truly moral as only gods can remain absolutely just. The sister understands that she is the only person who can restore justice.
What are the themes of Antigone?
Antigone Themes. T he main themes in Antigone are fate versus free will, respect for death, gender roles, and justice. Fate versus free will: The play encourages the audience to appreciate the role of fate in creating divine balance. Respect for death: Death is inevitable and can be even seen as a reward—one which Antigone is granted ...
Why was Antigone written?
Antigone was written, at least in part, to serve as an example of Zeus’s divine justice for the city-state; specifically, it offers an answer to the question of how the state may best achieve political authority within the confines of divine piety.
What is the purpose of Antigone and Creon?
In this way, Antigone and Creon can be both responsible for their own behaviors and subject to fated outcomes beyond their individual control. The end result, therefore, is that both Antigone and Creon are devices of the gods to establish a balance between the political realm and the realm of the divine.
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Why does Creon disrespect Antigone?
Creon, on the other hand, disrespects death by attempting to usurp its power for his own.
What is the conflict in Sophocles?
The conflict of the play stems from Creon’s political incursion into the realm of the divine and Antigone’s religious incursion into the realm of politics. This fundamental imbalance of opposing powers creates the necessity of resolution.
What is the play Fate versus Free Will about?
Fate versus free will: The play encourages the audience to appreciate the role of fate in creating divine balance.
What does Antigone hate?
Antigone in particular manifests her hatred for the ideal of femininity Ismene incarnates in their childhood, brutally binding her sister to a tree to stage her mutilation. Anouilh attributes Antigone's hate and envy in Ismene's capacity to figure as an object of desire, as the woman men want.
What is the rivalry between Antigone and Ismene?
The Sisters' Rivalry. As with Sophocles' sistes, Ismene and Antigone appear as foils and rivals. Ismene is "reasonable," timid, and obedient, full-figured and beautiful in being a good girl. In contrast, Antigone is recalcitrant, impulsive, and moody, sallow, thin, and decidedly resistant to being a girl like the rest.
What is the chorus' speech in The Nature of Tragedy?
The Nature of Tragedy. Halfway through the play, the Chorus appears on the scene to announce that the tragedy is on. His speech offers a meta-theatrical commentary on the nature of tragedy. Here, in apparently a reference to Jean Cocteau, tragedy appears as a machine in perfect order, a machine that proceeds automatically ...
Theme #1
Theme #2
Theme #3
- Political and Family Loyalty Greeks were aware of the rights and duties of a citizen and the role of a family in a state. They were also aware of how a citizen should behave politically. Both of the characters of Sophocles, Antigone, and Creon represent political as well as family loyalties in the play. Whereas Creon is a king and has kingly duties of issuing commands and implementing law…
Theme #4
- Pride or Arrogance Arrogance or pride is despised by the Grecian gods as shown by Sophocles in his plays. When Creon says that he has the powerto create a law and that he believes that divine will is at his back, it is a pride and arrogance. As humans are not supposed to be law creator law nor have the divine right. Therefore, when Tiresias warns Creon that he would suffer, Creon reali…
Theme #5
- Feminine Elements The very title of the play shows that it is about Oedipus’ daughter, Antigone. She has risen to prominence for being the sister who has refused to accept Creon’s command. She decides to go against him and give a proper burial to her brother, who rebelled against the state. As a woman, a second-class citizen of Thebes, Creon has not given her any importance. H…
Theme #6
- Civil Disobedience Civil disobedience is another major theme of the play. Creon argues his case that whatever he says is a law and that must be obeyed as it is the foundation of justice. He means that he cannot be wrong in dispensing justice as a ruler. However, Antigone, on the other hand, believes that Creon’s law is stressing upon is unjust as t...
Theme #7
- Free Will and Fate Even before the play, Oedipus was caught between free will and fate that the gods have decided for him. When Oedipus was about to die, he prophesied that his sons would kill each other and when Tiresias comes to Creon, he warns him about his wrong decision of not permitting burial. However, Tiresias has stated that now the fate has been sealed yet Creon has …
Theme #8
- Threat of Tyranny The Greek city-states were inimical to the threat of tyranny. Citizens looked at such tendencies with a bit of antagonism. However, Creon seems to be crossing the line, due to which it also becomes one of its thematic strands. It is the abuse of power that he starts with issuing man-made laws to subdue what he calls rebellion. His noble intentions reach their point …
Theme #9
- Power Creon uses his power as a ruler to stop the rebellion and award death sentences. However, when it comes to natural or divine rights and prevalent morality, his power does not seem to override the moral framework. Although he tries his best to justify his action of preventing the burial of Polynices’ body and terrifying Antigone of consequences, he faces divine punishment i…
Theme #10
- Feminine Rivalry Antigoneand Ismene are daughters of the doomed Oedipus. While Ismene seems reasonable and coward in the face of the mounting pressure, Antigone seems more confident than her sister. She has sensed that Creon’s legal thrust can be blunted with divine legitimacy and public morality. This rivalry, in the end, wins Antigone a good place as a heroic figure.