Kadija Chenekan Professor Lisenbard Social foundations I

Sophocles: Antigone

Antigone is about the daughter of King Oedipus Antigone who refuses to acknowledge and accept her place in the world. After an edict from King Creon not for any citizen to bury her brother Polynices under the punishment of death, Antigone is unable to accept King Creons decree. She disobeys him and buries her brother herself. King Creon is angry and buries Antigone alive, when he talks to the oracle of Delphi he changes his mind, but it was too late, and thus caused the death of not only Antigone, but Haemon and his wifes. Antigone argues that to bury the dead is the moral right of every individual and for Creon to deny her brother a proper burial is to go against the law of the universe and the gods. She also argues that Creons decree is just another form of cruelty against humanity and that he is not humane. Creon on the other hand argues that Antigone is a woman and therefore should not meddle in the business of men. Creon only wants what is best for the kingdom of Thebes but his unwillingness to change his mind about the funeral becomes his undoing. He believes that Antigone has overstepped her bounds. Creon says I swear I am no man for she the man if she can win this and not pay for it Creon is trying to say that Antigones acts are that of a man and he will not let her get away with disobeying him.

Antigone offers the most cionvincing argu,ent for her decision. Although her decisions has dire consequences for her a her family, her acts is evidence of her fear and respect for the gods. She fears their retribution and the oracle of Delphi supports her decision because his prophecy makes Creon relents his punishment but Creon is too late. Antigone acted out of love and moral responsibility towards her brother and fellow human whereas Creon is trying to make an example of Polynices to create fear in the hearts of all those who are thinking of rebelling against him. Antigone through her self less act sacrifices herself to do what she deems is the right of every human being.