...In Antigone written by Sophocles Antigone faces a tough decision, leave her dead brother’s burial spot alone or give him a proper burial and get put to death. In To Build a Fire by Jack London the character who remains nameless also faces death however his death is not a choice. The character in To Build a Fire suffers a death that is worse than the character in Antigone. Antigone had known her consequences and knew her fate but the character in To Build a Fire did not. He tried his best to survive flashing back to tips given to him by a wise man, on the other hand Antigone would not listen to anyone, she was going to do what she thought was right. “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more that our abilities” J.K. Rowling. Antigone had been warned by Creon “No one shall bury him, no one mourn for him…and the penalty- Stoning to death in the public square (pg. 461 lines 20-24). Antigone had tried to get her sister Ismene to help bury their brother but she did not want to disobey her leader Creon, although Antigone was set to marry Creon’s son they had both known the punishment. In To build a Fire the character also had a companion, his dog. He had brought his dog to let him go first in case of any traps he could get caught up on. In both of these they had each had a companion, the dog was more than willing to do...
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...From reading Antigone, a person can gather that it is a man’s world back then and the women had little to no say in anything. As the story goes on anyone can see that the writer is portraying the women as a strong, being able to take care of herself and more than capable of her making up her own mind about things that deal with her family and her. The writes shows the difference in the sisters on how the women should act and maybe did act in some cases. I could see a lot of women standing their ground back then as Antigone did. Antigone’ sister Ismene shows how women did as they were instructed to do and listen to the man. Antigone was the one who broke the rules and stood up for what she wanted and did not care what anyone thought. Creon is the leader that made his viewpoints known to everyone about the roles of woman and men. He never hid his thoughts on the general roles of men and woman. Antigone expresses her own convections when it came to the fact that she could not leave her brother out for the animals to come feast on him. Her love for her bother makes her want to break the law and bury him to give him and her peace I feel like. That part of her shows the compassion that a women has for another human being. One of the things that makes Antigone stand out just to start with is when she goes against the law that Creon has set and buries her brother because for it was not right to leave her loved one there to be eaten by other animals. Creon did not see her love for...
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...In Sophocles’ play Antigone; Creon and Antigone have different thoughts towards the burial of Polyneices. Throughout the play you notice that Creon leans towards the “law of man” while Antigone leans towards the “law of the gods.” Creon is the new head of state and lawmaker in Thebes; he believes that everyone should obey to man-made laws, “law of man.” Creon’s laws simply are standard (have no emotion), they protect the culture, and provide stability to the culture. Antigone obeys a different set of laws called "law of the gods." Law of the gods has standards for right and wrong. They are also more universal, not just people of Thebes apply to them; all people of the gods do. Antigone believes that the law of the gods tells people to give...
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...Creon and Haemon; Conflict of Antigone Creon and Haemon have dissimilar points of views when it comes to Antigone because Haemon has affection for Antigone while Creon feels animosity towards her. In the play, “Antigone” Sophocles tells the story of King Creon who rules Thebes the town. Haemon who is the son of the king falls in love with Antigone. Antigone is the niece of Creon and sister of Polynices. She plays a stubborn character. When her family is involved with the situation her attitude becomes aggressive. Polynices who is a traitor takes his last breath fighting against Thebes. The King announces anyone to honor or bury the body of Polynices would suffer a death due to the fact that he was a traitor of Thebes. The conflict of the play involves Antigone who disobeys Creon’s authority. In the speech between Haemon and Creon an Antigone is revealed between the two that exhibits Creon’s misogyny and Haemon’s analysis of his father’s discriminating attitude toward women in general. Note the tone in the following quotation: Creon: “Oh Haemon, Never lose your sense of judgment over a woman. The warmth, the rush of pleasure, it all goes cold in your arms, I warn you…a worthless woman in your house, a misery in your bed. What wound cuts deeper than a loved one turned against you? Spit her out, like a mortal enemy- let the girl go. Let her find a husband down among the dead” (1328). Creon expresses misogyny in this quote. He consults with his...
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...In France, women had long been fighting for equality to men by the time Anouilh’s “Antigone” was first performed. In 1971, the “Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen” was written by Olympe de Gouges as a retaliation against the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen”, which excluded women (Halsall). When the Anouilh’s Antigone was first performed in 1944, women had formed a multitude of organizations such as XXX. Shortly after the play was had its first performance in France, women received the right to vote and stand for election (Reynolds 2). During a time of political revolution, the play Antigone emulated the discrimination women in France faced at the time; Antigone’s portrayal as an obstinate, strong-willed character shows her resistance against prejudice, such as many women were doing when the play was first performed. The play itself cannot directly achieve considerable change in societal viewpoints; it merely parallels the challenges women encountered. During a performance of Antigone at the Oxford Playhouse in 2010, both Antigone and Creon’s character illustrate the stereotypes of sexes at the time. As shown in a photo of the performance, Antigone sits in a chair, with a...
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...Original Rivalry: Conflict in Antigone Antigone is a dramatic piece of literature written by Sophocles and translated by Robert Fagles to portray, but not limited to, one major conflict. The major conflict portrayed is Antigone against the state but as the story unfolds another conflict begins to become apparent. This conflict is the never-ending conflict of men against women. These conflicts quickly become apparent as the story begins. The conflicts become apparent as the drama’s main “villain,” Creon, is making it his priority to keep his control over Antigone and the state. In doing this he is also trying to retain his dominance over the female kind. After the death of her brothers, Antigone deliberately violates Creon’s law by burying her brother who was viewed as a traitor. Not only is she breaking state laws but also breaking the barriers of women in this time period. Women in this time period were required to be obedient, loyal, and viewed as feeble. However, Antigone shows acts of courage, which was unheard of for women of this era. When her sister, Ismene, worries for Antigone, she pledges that the king “has no right to keep me from my own” (58-59). Another prime example of the secondary conflict being expressed is when Ismene responds, “Remember we are women” (74). This reiterates their attitude towards how they are seen in the era they live in. She continues with, “we’re not born to contend with men” (75). Ismene, contrary to Antigone, serves as a comparison and represents...
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...Antigone (Quotes from 1 to page 22) "Not to give way when everything's against her." – Chorus (speaking about Antigone and is evidence of hubris) For Zeus…struck him down…..Mighty Ares…Bacchic Fury – Chorus (gods helped kill the enemies) What, would you bury him? Against the proclamation?.....When Creon has forbidden it – Ismene (to Antigone about burying Polynices) (shows her respect of kingly right) I shall not prove disloyal –Antigone (hubris, devotion to family, divine law) We travel the behest or power of Kings. We must remember we are women born. Unapt to cope with men…mightier than ourselves- Ismene (to Antigone. This shows her inaction, respect to the laws of state and men, position of women) Far longer is there need I satisfy those nether Powers, than powers on Earth. For there for ever must I lie – Antigone (divine laws over human laws) Your heart beats hotly. For chilling work – Ismene (Antigone is too rebellious and takes pride in her action against the state and for the gods) I know that those approve whim I most need to please - Antigone (gods) Right loyal ever to kingly power – Creon (addresses the Chorus, loyalty to kings not gods) Vilest of men. Him too, whoever sets a friend before his native land. I prize at nothing -Creon (law of the land is the most important) I will not sit in silence-Creon (proactive kind, protects his people “No man shall bury, none should wail for him…..Such is my will”-Creon (Right as King) Death is the penalty....
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...Surname 3 Student's Name Professor's Name Course Date Antigone vs. Macbeth In attempting to discern the legitimate and analytical issues in the two plays, Antigone and Macbeth, it is important to take into account the two key characters that all actions revolve around (Antigone and Lady Macbeth). In both plays, the characters appear to have comparative destiny and fate intertwined deeply within their societies. (Powell et al. 12). Antigone stands harshly rebuked by the state whose rule she contradicts. Antigone's fierce deviance is fully displayed when she declares that she'll bury Polyneices in total disregard of Creon's law. It is this rebellious act and Antigone's innate loyalty to the memory of her brother that forms the spine of the play. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth stands denounced by the laws of God and man having so eagerly disregarded them for the purpose of affection and enthusiasm towards her husband. The inclination that destiny appears to have in setting up these sorts of plays is portrayed undeniably by Sophocles in his piece of work, as well as Shakespeare in his Macbeth. The authorial intent ( a tragedy in contemporary society) as developed by both plays is similar in context. This is mainly detectable while considering the way both playwrights depict the condition that has befallen a nation. Aristotle, an outstanding scholar, and craftsman described tragedy as a mimic of a movement that is morally right. He further came up with guidelines towards...
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...Applied to Antigone Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal opposite reaction. When decisions are made solely based off of free will and neglect external pressures the reactions and repercussions are of extreme magnitude. Stace’s external forces of free will are thrust upon Antigone most severely during her quarrel with Creon and during her death from her own hand; Ismene also has similar external forces thrust upon her, when she is questioned by Creon regarding her involvement with her sister’s affairs, yet responds in a different manner than Antigone. Antigone’s free will choice, made against the external force of human law when she defies Creon. The decision to bury Pholynices was made with complete disregard to the laws of the land. When Creon, questions Antigone, he first asks if “she was aware of the public notice?” The legal authority which put in place the regulations that inhibited Antigone’s actions first want to make sure that understood the law. Creon wanted to verify that Antigone’s actions were that of utter defiance. Antigone answers that her actions were in fact done in complete defiance, “…how could I not it’s public knowledge.”[Antigone] Antigone’s answer to Creon’s chance for penance, show’s that her decision was hers, and hers alone; made in complete disregard to Stace’s principal of the external force of human law. Strongest external force is that of nature. Biologically animals other than man, will not take...
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... In the play, “Antigone”, by Sophocles, display Creon as a tragic leader who caused his own downfall. Throughout the play Creon the King of Thebes experience a downfall from many fatal flaws. Creon begins his fatal flaw at the beginning of the play when Creon decides to honor Eteocles and not give burial right to Polyneices because Eteocles fought for the state and Polyneices against the state. Creon tragic flaw show itself when he sentence Antigone, doesn’t listen to Tiresias's, chorus leader and ignore his son Haemon. Creon fatal flaw begins when he finds out that Antigone went against the law to bury her brother Polyneices. He sentenced her to death because...
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...Analysis on Antigone Antigone is a play about a woman who defies her king. She does this because she feel her brother was unjustly disrespected. Because of her fight, she knew the consequences of her actions: death. She dies but dies for her cause; dignity for her brother. Sophocles’ play Antigone, depicts divine law pitted against the laws of man as a major theme because Antigone uses of divine laws as her defense for her actions against King Creon societal laws. It all begins when Antigone is aware that every one of the land is talking about her family. She discusses this with her sister Ismene. In conversation, she tells her sister about her plans for the burial of their brother. It is here that she decide to fight for her brother rights regardless of Creon laws. In lines 43-44, Antigone clearly understand her fate for her actions “anyone who acts against the order will be stoned” (Sophocles 3). She defends her actions in line 92-93 by stating “My honours for the dead must last longer than those up there” (4). Antigone believe that the gods will honor her good deed; her divine right to bury her brother. Despite the consequence, Antigone went against the laws of Creon and buried Polynices. Sophocles theme continued to echo when Creon summons Antigone for going against his written law. In dialogue, Creon questions Antigone unforgivable actions for defying the laws of the land. In rebuttal, she claims that there is no such laws in the eyes of God. Argued in lines...
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...Antigone and Her Morality Thesis: Antigone is a tragic heroine who believes in her moral duty to the gods over her duty to the state and is willing to suffer the consequences in order to do what is morally right. I. Antigone's justification of action A. Her defiant speech against law of man B. Her argument through Divine Law II. Hamartia Theory A. Antigone's tragic flaws B. Human responsibility for action C. Chorus points out character flaws III. Divine injustice and the moral problem A. Action involves suffering B. Acknowledging moral order of the gods IV. Divinity in man is morality Antigone and Her Morality Thesis: Antigone is a tragic heroine who believes in her moral duty to the gods over her duty to the state and is willing to suffer the consequences in order to do what is morally right. I. Antigone's justification of action A. Her defiant speech against law of man B. Her argument through Divine Law II. Hamartia Theory A. Antigone's tragic flaws B. Human responsibility for action C. Chorus points out character flaws III. Divine injustice and the moral problem A. Action involves suffering B. Acknowledging moral order of the gods IV. Divinity in man is morality Antigone and Her Morality Thesis: Antigone is a tragic heroine who believes in her moral duty to the gods over her duty to the state and is willing to suffer the consequences in order to do what is morally right. I. Antigone's justification of action A. Her...
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...commitments to your city, family or divinity, it may not be what is righteous in regards to your own moral values. This theme of obligations vs. moral justice can be expressed in Sophocles’ Antigone, which can be seen through the main characters Antigone and Kreon, who have opposing views, but actions depict that if the law contradicts one’s moral duties, then one is justified to act in a manner of disobedience. The tragic Greek playwright Antigone is set in a more traditional era of time, where the city of Thebes is organized completely around religion and there are strict gender roles and expectations the citizens must abide by. Men are socially obliged to take care of the city, whilst women are to be taking care of the household, and more importantly are not to be seen wandering out in public. This distinction is important, as in all Greek plays, nothing is coincidence and the polarities between the gender roles plays a huge role in how the characters justify their actions. The play begins with Antigone and her sister Ismene sitting outside the palace the morning after the attack of the city of Thebes. The day prior, their brother Polyneices attacked their other brother Etyokles, and both committed acts of fratricide in pursuit of the title of King in the city of Thebes. Antigone is in distress as she has just heard news from the new King Kreon that he has made a proclamation that no one in the city of Thebes will mourn over the death of her brother Polyneices, and...
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...ANTIGONE Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles written in or before 441 BC. Chronologically, it is the third of the three Theban plays but was written first. The play expands on the Theban legend that predated it and picks up where Aeschylus' Seven Against Thebes ends. This play is based on the life story of Antigone, the daughter of Oeudipe and Jocaste. It is a legend of her sacrifice for her loved ones, her believes and her honour. Antigone’s brother Polynice had betrayed his country and died during the war. Creon, the king of Thebes had refused to give him a burial. Antigone is outraged by this decision and goes as far as sacrificing her life, to give her brother a burial he deserves. Even law of the king does not stop her from doing what she thinks is right. Antigone is the tragic heroine of the play and this play revolves around her struggle against the autocratic laws of the state. Even she manages to give Polynice a rightful burial but, this burial costs Antigone her life. SYNOPSIS In the beginning of the play, two brothers leading opposite sides in Thebes' civil war died fighting each other for the throne. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has decided that Eteocles will be honored and Polyneices will be in public shame. The rebel brother's body will not be sanctified by holy rites, and will lie unburied on the battlefield, prey for carrion animals like worms and vultures, the harshest punishment at the time. Antigone and Ismene are the sisters of the dead Polyneices...
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...Justice in Antigone and Measure for Measure The concept of justice hinges on the beliefs of any given individual, human influences must always ultimately crumble and be brought to justice in the face of what is morally correct and divine. Punishment, conflict and pursuit of justice are major themes in both Sophocles Antigone and Measure for Measure. Antigone is laden with violent imagery; countless arguments causing conflict between Antigone and Creon as well as Creon and Haemon; and the blatant violence of the various murders and suicides present in the play. Moreover in Measure for Measure, is the conflict between justice and mercy, and whether justice and punishment would be served through strictly following the law or by showing mercy. "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”. (49-51) Why are Punishment, disagreement and pursuit of morals such a strong theme in both of these ancient works? Both Sophocles and Measure for Measure William Shakespeare lived in more primitive times when there were weakly enforced written laws concerning justice and fair play. The common solution for most problems were along the lines of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" which were better represented in Sophocles Antigone than in Measure for Measure, retaliation were definitely used as a method of justice. When Antigone buries her dead brother in the story of Sophocles’ Antigone, Creon's...
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