Anitgone 2 Essay, Research Paper

The Comparison Between the Characters

And The Chorus Meaning of Traditional Society

In the short play Antigone, by Socrates, we find the chorus embodies the static voice of traditional society in many ways. In this play traditional society is following the rules and also obeying King Kreon and his rules. We will see how the characters Antigone, Kreon and Isemene relate to traditional society.

The character Antigone is loyal to her family despite the unjust laws of Kreon. Antigone shows this by saying ? He?s my brother and yours too and weather you will or not, I will stand by him.?(Page 22) She is willing to die because of her belief of moral value. The chorus relates this to traditional society by Antigone is trying to change society by going against the king and his rules. It seems that she is trying to make a stand for her family since she is one of the last ones left in her family. She also suffers from recklessness by her goodness of her character. She shows this by burying her brother and doing the right thing. Since she has committed these actions and broke Kreon?s rules her morals will be here own downfall.

Kreon is a ruthless person obsessed by power. He goes against tradition by denying burial of Polyneices and doesn?t take Teiresias advice. Kreon shows that he cares about power instead of family values by condemning his son?s bride. This also shows that he goes against meaningful tradition. The chorus shows that he fails to keep the laws of divine justice by leaving Polyneices body uncovered. Since Polyneices fought for Kreon?s side he should get a proper burial. Kreon also suffers from recklessness because his greatness of power is destroying him. In this case Kreon will be destroyed because he can?t understand that his family and moral values should come first instead of his power.

Ismene is a character that has mixed feelings about the whole situation. This is proven when Ismene said, ? Promise not to say anything. Keep this a secret. I?ll join you in secrecy.?(Page 24) This shows that she wants to help her sister and to do what is right but she is scared of what might happen to her. Ismene shows redemption when she feels she is a disgrace to her sister, and wants to die with her. Ismene has a choice to go along with society or go against it. She decides to go along with traditional society by going to Kreon and saying ? I did it. I share the blame with her and will blame it also?. (Page 42) This shows that she made up her mind and decided that morals and family value are more important than any thing else.

In conclusion we find that people in traditional society must obey their own beliefs. No matter what rules are being implied in society, people make up there own code to live by. As in the case of Antigone, Kreon and Ismene they each had to go by their own moral code and do what they thought was right. Some times it turns out for the better and sometimes the worst. They must look at themselves and decide what is best for them.

Work sited page

1. Sophocles, Richard. Antigone. Trans. R.E.Braun. Sophocles Antigone. Richard Braun. New York: Oxford Press, 1973. (Page 22)

2. Sophocles, Richard. Antigone. Trans. R.E.Braun. Sophocles Antigone. Richard Braun. New York: Oxford Press, 1973. (Page 24)

3. Sophocles, Richard. Antigone. Trans. R.E.Braun. Sophocles Antigone. Richard Braun. New York: Oxford Press, 1973. (Page 42)

4.

Bibliography

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