Antigone

AntigoneIn the play Antigone, written by Sophocels, there are many complications. The most important event is the cut downing of Antigones dickens brothers, Eteocles and Polynices. It was the main inspiration for the whole play. It all starts after King Oedipus was exiled from the city of Thebes after he learns that he has committed incest and patricide, his younger son Eteocles declares to be the king, exiling his older brother Polyneices. Polyneices and so attacks Thebes with a huge army, exactly none of the two brothers wins the war because they both kill each other in combat. Creon then declares to be the king of Thebes, and he decides that Eteocles should be hide and honored as a hero while Polyneices body shouldnt be honored, but it should be thrown in the streets of Thebes left for dogs and birds to be eaten in humiliation. Creon decides that the punishment for trying to bury the body of Polyneices will be death. Antigone, Eteocles and Polynices sister, insists that her b rothers body must be buried so that his spirit endure rest in peace, in spite of the cautious advice of her younger sister, Ismene. She goes to the battleground, pouring sand over Polyneices body and performing inhumation rites. After that the guards discovers that someone was trying to bury the body, they uncover the dust from the body, and they starts to look for who does that. Antigone comes back insisting on sepulture her brothers body .She finally allows herself to be captured after coming out of hiding when some guards try to uncover the body again, and a rebellious Antigone is brought to Creon. He decides to execute only Antigone since Ismenes is guileless and Antigone is sent outside of Thebes to starve to death in a cave. Even though Antigone was no thing but a girl left alone, she faces many obstacles by herself to do what she believes it is right without any concerns about the consequences.The first obstacle that faces Antigone was her sister, Ismene. They were the o nly two family members left after their fathers death and their two brothers calamitous war against each other and killing each other in the battlefield. Instead of supporting her sister, and trying to keep whats left of the family together, Ismene abandons Antigone and tries to convince her to come after the kings orders. The former quotes Ismene saying The worst of all if we violate the laws and override the fixed decree of the throne, its power- we must be sensible. Remember we are women, were not born to contend with men (Sophocles 1144). It is clear that Ismene is so frightened of Antigones decision to bury her brother Polyneices. It is also clear how Creon, the king, put his business organisation in his peoples minds so he will has full control over his kingdom. Antigone doesnt worry about Creons punishment and decides to continue. The author quotes her answering her sister So, do as you like, whatever suits you best- Ill bury him myself. And even if I happen in the act, that death will be a glory. (Sophocles 1144). This quote shows how determined Antigone is to bury her brother without having any concerns about the result. It also shows how she considers the death a glory to her for doing whats she believes is right. She considers honoring her brother by good-looking hem the straitlaced burial is her obligation. Antigone overcomes this obstacle by excusing her sister from joining her to bury their brother.The second obstacle that faces Antigone is the king himself. He wanted to force his effectiveness and power over the kingdom after the disturbance that happened in Thebes. He wants his orders and commands to be followed by everyone. Creon creates a monster of himself to scare his people he likes power, authority, and to be obeyed. Thats why everybody was scared and afraid to disobey Creon except Antigone. She did whats right she wasnt even afraid when the guards arrested her, she bravely surrendered to them (1152). Creon felt that he broken h is power and authority once Antigone disobey his orders. Creon says, This girl was an old hand at insolence when she overrode the edicts we made public. But once shed don it- the insolence, doubly over- to glory in it, laughing, mocking us to our face with what shed done (Sophocles 1154). He considers Antigones act an insult to the king without considering that she wants to give her brother the proper burial to honor him as prince. That explains why he was so harsh in his verdict to execute her by starvation. Antigone knows that she is doing whats right and she surrenders to her destiny to be killed. On the other hand she seems to refuse to be killed by Creon, thats why she killed herself as if she considers killing herself more honor than Creon kills her.The final obstacle that faces Antigone is her lover, Haemon, who was Creons son and who was very sad that hes going to lose his pride. Antigone thinks about her lover. She doesnt want to die and leave him because she loves him so much. She is between two difficult decisions. One of them is if she decides to step on what she believes in and forget about her honored brother to stay with her lover, the other decision is to leave her lover and to die for what she believes in. Antigone doesnt think about her happiness she rather dies because of what she believes in than stays with Haemon. She overcomes this obstacle by deciding to kill herself. Haemon, on the other hand, was used by Gods to punish Creon for his acts. He was not convinced with his fathers actions. Haemon states, I see my father offending justice-wrong (Sophocles 1161). He continues his conversation asking Protect your rights? When you tread down down the honors of the gods? (Sophocles 1611). Haemon realizes the fact that his father doesnt realize, is that he dishonors the gods. Haemon wants to explain to Creon that no matter what happened dont disobey or disrespect the gods. Another thing Haemon realizes that Creon doesnt realize that there is mo re powerful force than Creons force which is the gods force. Creon thinks that he has the ultimate power and authority thats why he cant see Haemon point of view. Haemon goes to Antigones grave and he couldnt see her kills herself in the front of him, so he kills himself.In the play, Antigone faces a lot of obstacles, and she overcomes them all. She doesnt give up, and once she feels that the kings authority will bring her down, she decides to take her own life rather than the injustice remains does. She is determining to do what she feels is right, no matter what the laws of the kingdom says. She is motivating by her obligations towards her family, and by her personal beliefs. She first faces her sister who is against her from the beginning, because she is afraid of Creons decrees. Antigone excuses her sister from burying her brother with her. Second obstacle Antigone faces is the rigorous king, Creon, who gives his strict orders that whoever bury Polynices will die. Antigone does nt care about Creons decrees she knows the consequences will be the death penalty, but she stands bravely in front of Creon. The final obstacle Antigone faces is her lover who is so in love with her and he cant see her dieing. Antigone also cant see her lover cries and she cant leave him as well. This is the most difficult obstacle that faces Antigone. Finally she kills herself when she finds that its more honor to kill herself than Creon kills her. Antigone knows that she will die for what she did. She put what she believes in before her and sacrifices her own life to do whats right.