The Themes of Antigone :: essays research papers

The Themes of AntigoneAntigone is credited as one of the best works of Sophocles, rank by most modern critics above Oedipus the King. There are many an(prenominal) aspects of Antigone that make it the play critics love to ramble ab out(p). Antigone must be genuine as the canon of ancient tragedy no tragedy of antiquity that we possess approaches it in pure specimenism, or in harmony of esthetic development says one critic named Berhardy. Tragedy is usually concerned with a person of great stature, a king or nobleman, who falls because of hubris, or extreme pride and Antigone is no exception. Pride and its effects are a central part of Antigones plot and theme. Pride, being part of their caseful and morality, everyplaceran in to their literature and was a complex and multifaceted concept in Greek tragedy, exemplified by Sophocles Antigone. In the play both(prenominal) Creon and Antigone were incredibly chivalrous and unwilling to back down once they took their stands. Creon had made a conclusiveness and was unwilling to compromise. Antigone was to die for her violation of the law, the sin of burying her brother. Antigones sex activity had a profound affect on the meaning of her actions. Creon had disliked for her gibelike and rebelling nature. His need to defeat her was all the more pressing because she was a woman. The ideal of the female character in Antigone is boldly and severely outlined. The freedom of Greek women was extremely limited and restrictive. Antigones rebellion is threatening because it upset the gender roles and hierarchy. Creon was a sympathetic character but abused his power. One of the purposes of the let out is to illustrate the sway of public opinion. In the end of the play, Creon is ruler over an orderly city, but he has lost everything dear to him. Closely link up to the theme of gender, the theme of Inaction/Lack of Agency versus Agency plays itself out in the contrast between Antigone and her sister Ismene. Ismene choo ses to do nothing to a lower place the threat of the law whereas Antigone chooses to act despite the possible penalties. Antigone and Creon are both championing what is right, but they define rightness through different sets of values. In Antigone, Creon at last recognized that he has been misguided and that his actions have led to the death of his wife and son. Antigones persistence in disobeying Creons decree falls under the themes of someone verses State Conscience versus legal philosophy Moral or Divine Law versus Human Law.