Antigone Analysis

In ancient Greece, new ideals surfaced as answers to lifes complicated

questions. Man was focused on more than the gods or heavenly concerns. A
government that was ruled by the people was suggested as opposed to a
monarchy that had existed for many years. reedom of religion was encouraged
to be exercised in city!states. "hese new ideals, though good in intentions, often
conflicted with each other creating complex moral dilemmas. "his was the case
in Antigone, a play written by #ophocles, during which Antigone and $reon battle
a philosophical war dealing with the controversy of the Gree% ideals. According
to &. '. Myatts essay Antigone A (ew "ranslation, Antigone is )a drama about
two different personalities * Antigone and $reon * both of whom are self!willed
and determined+. ,oth of these characters based their actions on their beliefs of
what is right and wrong. "he conflict arose when the ideals that bac%ed up their
actions clashed with each other, ma%ing it a contradiction between morals.
Antigones side of the conflict held a much more heavenly approach, as
opposed to the mundane road that $reon chose to follow. Antigone feels that
$reon is disregarding the laws of heaven through his edict. After she is captured
and brought to $reon, she tells him )+(or did I thin% your edict had such force -
that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods+ ./01!/023. Antigones firm
opinion is one that supports the gods and laws of heaven. 4er reasoning is built
by her belief that if someone is not given a proper burial, that person would not
be accepted into heaven. Antigone was a very religious person, and acceptance
of her brother by the gods was extremely important to her. #he tells Ismene that
)the martial law our good $reon - lays down for you and me!yes, me, I tell you+
.15!163. Antigone felt that $reons order was personal to her and that his edict
invaded her family life as well as the gods. An important ideal in Ancient Greece
was the belief that the government was to have to limited control in religious
beliefs. In Antigones eyes, $reon betrayed that ideal by not allowing her to
properly bury her brother, 7olynices. #he believed that the burial was a religious
ceremony and $reon did not have the power to deny 7olynices that right.
Antigones strong beliefs eventually led to her death by the hand of $reon.
4owever, she never stopped defending what she thought was right. #he directly
humiliates $reon by telling him, )"hese citi8ens here would all agree, - theyd
praise me too - if their lips werent loc%ed in fear+./91!/9/3. As $reon ordered
her to her death, Antigone exclaimed, )And now he leads me off, a captive in his
hands+ .:0063. #he feels that she is $reons prisoner and that he is abusing his
power as %ing and dealing with her on a personal level.
$reons actions are guided by the ideal that infers that man is the measure
of all things. "he chorus emphasi8es this point during the play by saying that,
)Man ;is< the master, ingenious past all measure - past all dreams+ .209!2053.
$reon believes that the good of man comes before the gods. 4e sets this
example by using 7olynices body left unburied. $reon states, )(ever at my
hands - will the traitor be honored+ .=1=!=113. "his quote shows that leaving the
body unburied is done to represent respect for the city of "hebes. $reon
)renders >udgement on Antigone because she violates the states law against
burying her brother+ ."heme Analysis3. "hough most of $reons reasoning
coincide with the Gree% ideals, one ideal strongly contradicts his actions. "he
ideal states that the population would be granted freedom from political
oppression and that a certain degree of religious freedom would be carried out.
$reon defied both of these. irst, Antigone was his hostage, not necessarily the
publics. In fact, the general population supported Antigone, though they were too
scared to say anything. 4aemon, the son of $reon, %new this and said to $reon
)&eath? #he deserves a glowing crown of gold@- #o they ;the townspeople<
say, and the rumor spreads in secret+ .56=!5613. "his proves that $reon was
exercising complete domination of political power, which is strictly forbidden in
the new ideals. #econd, not allowing Antigone to perform the religious ceremony
of burying her brother is interfering with religious affairs. "his denies Antigone
freedom of religion and contempt for this ideal.
&uring the play #ophocles uses the chorus for several reasons, one of
which is to show the public opinion at different times throughout the play. "his is
a representation of what is wrong and right in the eyes of the public and maybe
even how #ophocles personally feels all through the tragedy. At the beginning of
the play, the chorus is very supportive of $reon and his laws, however toward the
conclusion of the playA they begin to endorse Antigone and her beliefs. "his
shows a portrayal of Gree% ideals and public outloo%. Beligious freedom was
considered to be widespread during this period of time, a person was not forced
into believing in one god over another, but they were expected to believe in some
higher entity. Antigone attempted to proceed with her religion by burying her
brother, even if it meant death.
"he contradictions between the beliefs of $reon and Antigone are strong
throughout #ophocles play Antigone. ,oth have well!structured arguments, but
neither completely dominates the other. Antigone is motivated by her strong
religious feelings while $reon is out to ma%e good for his city!state. "he chorus
opinion is the determining factor, as in the end they convince $reon to set
Antigone free. $reon had to weigh each factor carefully, and in the end he had
to decide between ideals. "he difference of ideals was what led to Antigones,
4aemons, and Curydices deaths. ,oth sides were >ust and all beliefs were
supported. $reon was forced to decide the unanswerable and determine right
from wrong when there was no clear answer.

'or%s $ited
Myatt, D.W. Antigone: A New Translation. (1994). 5 March 22.
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%o!hocles. Antigone. Trans. &o'ert (agles. )iterat*re an+ the Writing ,rocess. -
th
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.li/a'eth McMahan, %*san 0. Day, an+ &o'ert (*n1. 2!!er %a++le &i3er, N4:
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22. -55-4.
6The#e Analysis.7 Antigone: No3el Analysis. $ March
22. htt!:""www.no3elg*i+e.co#"
antigone"the#eanalysis.ht#l