Antigone :: essays research papers

Antigone, a play indite by Sophocles, became a classic due to its timeless subject matter. In this play, the Greek dramatist reflected mainly on civil disobedience. Antigone believes in man-to-man rights over state rights. Creon, however, strongly believes in putting state over religion. The play not only revolves on these deuce political and apparitional issues, but it also deals with the battle of the sexes.The play is roughly a obstinate woman, Antigone, defying the laws of a proud king, Creon. Antigone is torn between her devotion to the gods, her brother Polynices, and her the true to the king. Creon, ruler of Thebes, issued the order to leave the traitor Polynices body unburied. He must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear, an obscenity for the citizens to behold (229-31) Antigone was not more or less to simply obey Creons absurd decree. She felt that her personal responsibleness was to the gods and her family rather than the king. She then asked Ismene, her sister, to assist her with the burial, but was denied any help. Ismene justified her ending by telling Antigone that they were already punished and that on that point was no unavoidableness to make matters worse for the two of them by defying Creons law.Oh my sister, think- think how our declare father died, hated, his reputation in ruins, driven on by the crimes he brought to light himselfto gouge out his eyes with his own hands- then engenderhis mother and wife, both in one, mutilating her life in the twisted noose- and last, our two brothers dead in a single day, both shedding there won blood, poor suffering boys,battling out their common destiny hand-to-hand. (60-69)I, for one, Ill beg the dead to forgive meIm forced, I contrive no choiceI must obeythe ones who stand in power. Why rush to extremes?Its madness, madness. (78-81)Antigone was disappointed at first, but unconquerable that she will bury Polynices with or without Ismenes help. You have you r excuses. I am on my way,Ill raise a mound for him, for my dear brother. (95-96)Creon was warned about a plan to bury Polynices and later found the culprit, Antigone. He issued a death sentence for her defying action. Creon informed his son, Haemon, of his fiancees deceit. Haemon, however, defended his beloved fiance. He told his father that the whole city was on her side, but everybody was afraid to spill out against him.