Antigone Essay, Research Paper

Antigone

“Is he not my brother, and yours, wether you like it or not? I shall never desert him, never.”

Antigone strongly stands for what she believes in. Because of different personalites and beliefs, many unfortunate events occur in the play, Antigone, by Sophocles. Although Antigone and Ismene love and support each other as sisters, each of them have differnt values and viewpoints.

Antigone is known for her strong positive beliefs. In the story, Sophocles portrays her as the protagonist in the story. Her character shows a lot of power, strength and stubborness for a woman of her time because back then women didn’t have any form of power. Compared to Ismene, Antigone has the better judgment, is stronger one, and is also the leader. It is hard to convince her otherwise when her mind is set on something.

“No share in work, no share in death, and I must consummate alone what I began.” — Angtigone

Standing up to Creon, she stood up to higher morals than that of the law. She went by the laws of the gods, therefore she thought burying her brother was right according to them. In the readers opinion, Antigone has done the right thing because she has done something very loyal. She risked her life for a promise she has made to her brother Polynieces. She could have left him to rot and have small animals fed upon his body, but she couldn’t do that to her brother.

Ismene is a woman that follows the rules of this society, and played the role that was expected of a woman. She recognizes her own limitations and her rank of being a woman. She didn’t want to go against Creon, because she doesn’t want to go against the laws of a king and a man; she knew she would be killed for burying Polyneices.

“We who are women should not contend with men; we who are weak are ruled by the stronger, so that we must obey” — Ismene

Antigone seems to have thought through her actions, she didn’t regret or doubt anything she did. Ismene is confused and unsure. Antigone’s personality is a result of all her years with the blind Oedipus. Antigone has a better judgment now because she saw the mistakes that her dad had made. She is a stronger woman now because of all of the turbulence she faced, and all that she had suffered.

Antigone and Ismene are similar in a couple of ways. They are both daughters of Oedipus, and they both try to do what they believe is right.

In conclusion, the two sister’s were crushed by Creon, yet they were winners in spirit, in their determination , they died together, as one. Nobility shall live in their hearts forever.