Antigone Character Analysis

736 Words3 Pages
The actions of others may frustrate a person whether the action is right or wrong, but every action is driven by a who a person is, what they believe is right or wrong, or what they may benefit from this action. In the short story Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone goes against King Kreon’s word and buries her brother despite the possibility of being put to death. Throughout the story, Sophocles conveys moral hierarchy stages through character traits, reasoning, and moral development within the character Kreon. To begin with, King Kreon is greatly affected by the law. When Antigone goes against his orders he has to choose looking weak to his kingdom or killing his niece. However, Kreon chooses order over family without a second thought because he, “shall not befriend the enemy of this land. For the state is safety. When she is steady, then we can steer. Then we can love”(Sophocles ll…show more content…
The law is the final word to him and, “Any man who breaks laws, uses violence against them, thinks he can give orders to stronger men, gains no praise from me”(Sophocles ll 805-808). As king, Kreon must uphold the law throughout the land which he does so without the thought that not all crimes committed are equal. Antigone does go against Kreon’s word, but in Greece all enemies killed in battle were to be given a proper burial which Kreon would not permit for Antigone’s brother. In brief, Kreon wishes to put Antigone to death not because she disobeyed the law, but because she went against him. Moreover, Kreon claims, “I won’t be a leader who lies to his people. No: I will kill her”(Sophocles ll 798-799) when confronted with the fact that he will kill his niece but Antigone has not committed a crime. Kreon now must kill his niece because he can not go back on his word. Going back on his word means risking looking weak in the eyes of his beloved kingdom. Kreon now hides behind being the law to cover his
Show More
Related

  • Antigone Character Analysis

    839 Words  | 4 Pages

    for what you believe in or do you show respect to those who rule over you. Antigone is an extremely hard headed, stubborn woman that fears no one above her and will stop at nothing to accomplish what she believes is right. Ismene, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. She believes that you should respect the people over you whether you like their ruling or not and if you have to break the law then do so quietly. Antigone has decided to go against the law of the king and burry her bother, for most

    Read More

  • Antigone Character Analysis

    463 Words  | 2 Pages

    The major conflict between Antigone and Ismene is their different perspectives on burying their brother, Polyneices. Their clash of personalities is first introduced in the prologue. Antigone has a very strong personality which is rare for a woman to possess in a male dominated time. Ismene, however is a typical common woman who obeys the laws. Antigone believes Polyneices, her brother, deserves to be bury and mourn for (Prologue. 31). In spite of that, Ismene disagrees with her and value laws before

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Antigone

    706 Words  | 3 Pages

    Antigone – our brave, unrelenting, tragic heroine – tethered to the filial duties towards her brother, even if it means going against the authority of King Creon, her own uncle; she brings on about her death. Not only is she afraid to die but she rather, welcomes it. She feels it as her duty to give a proper burial to her brother who, according to the belief of the ancient Greeks, wouldn’t be able to cross over to the other side of life and wouldn’t be able to attain peace, if left unburied for

    Read More

More about Antigone Character Analysis

Open Document