Sophocles' Antigone

Antigone is woman who’s with strong principles. She is not afraid to stand for what she believes in, even when death is the consequence. These qualities of Antigone’s character are evident when she sets out to break the King’s orders and bury her dead brother Polyneices.

In the opening Antigone tells her sister Ismene of her intentions to bury their brother. Lines 20 through 22 clearly show that Antigone knew the results of her actions and those that she involved in any way. “I knew it well; that is why I sent for you to come outside the palace gates to listen to me, privately” (Sophocles). Ismene urges her sister not to defy Creon and leave Polyneices’s corpse be, however Antigone will not be convinced otherwise of her actions. In fact Antigone becomes a little angry at Ismene for being so obedient to Creon.

I believe that Antigone is courageous for fighting for what she believes in even with death as a sure result. She believes that she will die as a religious criminal. There is no harm or shame in Antigone wanting to give her brother a proper burial. However, she should be respectful for authority. Creon is clearly wrong, but perhaps Antigone should have gone to him instead. To me dying for your religious beliefs is admirable, however since this is Greece all of their gods were pagan Antigone’s situation doesn’t count in my eyes. She should’ve remained in respect to the authority over her and not willfully defied it in such a matter. Antigone should have heeded the warnings of her sister and have been so disheartening towards her. Perhaps even Antigone should have never involved her sister at all. Who knows if her Ismene too will be found guilty of wrongdoing in simply having knowledge of her sisters’ rebellious intentions? Antigone’s strength is admirable but misguided.