Interpreting Antigone
This is my synopsis of the play Antigone by Sophocles . I welcome constructive criticism and discussions
This is the epilogue of the play "7 against Thebes" . Polynieces and Eteoclyes, the sons of Oedipus have killed each in battle. Creon the new king of Thebes declares that the body of Polyneices should be deprived of burial and anyone who dares to do otherwise will be put to death. Antigone, daughter of Oedipus argues that the ties of family are far stronger than that of state (that's an interesting argument) and buries the body but Creon's guards dig it up and when Antigone tries to bury it again, she is caught and bought before Creon.
Here Sophocles depicts two dimensions to Creon and Antigone, not only is this a argument of state vs family but it is also a battle of wills. However near the end, there seems to be a rather awkward statement by Antigone where she says that she would only do this for a brother, not for her children, not for her husband because she would have no more brothers with both Oedipus and Jocasta dead.
So would Antigone have not gone with this terrible ordeal if she had another brother? and what does that say for her earlier arguments of family vs state.
The story proceeds with Creon sentencing Antigone to be walled off in some desolate wilderness and his son, Haemon who is supposed to marry Antigone entreats him to change his mind because the people's sympathies lie with Antigone. Creon is stubborn (here Sophocles shows us the dangers of being pig headed). Thereafter the prophet Tiresias shows up and tells Creon that if he does not bury the body and let the girl go free, Creon will pay a price of blood. His mind full of dread, Creon decides to bury the body and free Antigone but he is too late, Antigone has hung herself and his son commits suicide after unsuccessful lunge at Creon. After hearing of her son's death, Eurydice, wife of Creon kills herself after cursing Creon.
Though the argument of family vs state is something that will keep us wondering forever, Sophocles has a powerful message "There is nothing more dangerous than rash judgment".
Here Sophocles depicts two dimensions to Creon and Antigone, not only is this a argument of state vs family but it is also a battle of wills. However near the end, there seems to be a rather awkward statement by Antigone where she says that she would only do this for a brother, not for her children, not for her husband because she would have no more brothers with both Oedipus and Jocasta dead.
So would Antigone have not gone with this terrible ordeal if she had another brother? and what does that say for her earlier arguments of family vs state.
The story proceeds with Creon sentencing Antigone to be walled off in some desolate wilderness and his son, Haemon who is supposed to marry Antigone entreats him to change his mind because the people's sympathies lie with Antigone. Creon is stubborn (here Sophocles shows us the dangers of being pig headed). Thereafter the prophet Tiresias shows up and tells Creon that if he does not bury the body and let the girl go free, Creon will pay a price of blood. His mind full of dread, Creon decides to bury the body and free Antigone but he is too late, Antigone has hung herself and his son commits suicide after unsuccessful lunge at Creon. After hearing of her son's death, Eurydice, wife of Creon kills herself after cursing Creon.
Though the argument of family vs state is something that will keep us wondering forever, Sophocles has a powerful message "There is nothing more dangerous than rash judgment".
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