Analysis of Antigone by sophocles

Analysis of Antigone

(Based on The history and type)

·         Based on History

Antigone was written at the time of national excitement. In the year 441 BC, shortly after the drama was released, Sophocles was appointed as one of the ten generals who would lead the military expedition against the island of Samos. The surprise is that the drama is as important as the time of such imperialism contains no political propaganda. Overall, this drama does not attack the patriotic interests. Rather than be affected by the issues of that day, Antigone even more focus on character and its own theme.

In Thebes in ancient Greece, King Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother Jocasta, having two sons Eteocles and Polyneices  and two daughters Ismene and Antigone. King Oedipus dies a beggar in the exile after gouging out his own eye, and Eteocle agrees to reign in Thebes in alternating years with Polynices. However, he refuses to resign after the first year and Polynieces raises an army and attacks Thebes, and they kill each other. The ruler of Thebes Creon decrees that Eleocles should have an honorable burial while the body of the traitor Polyneices should be left on the battlefield to be eaten by the jackals and vultures. However, Antigone, who was betrothed to Creon's surviving son Haemon, defies Creon's orders and buries her brother. When Creon is reported of the attitude of Antigone, he sentences her to be placed in a tomb alive. Antigone hangs herself in the tomb and Haemon tries to kill his father first and then he kills himself with his sword. When Creon's wife Eurydice is informed of the death of her son, she also commits suicide, leaving Creon alone.

·         Based on Type

Type of antigone is Tragedy. The play Antigon  by Sophocles displays many qualities that make it a great tragedy.  A tragedy is defined as a dramatic or literary work in which the principal character engages in a morally significant struggle ending in ruin or profound disappointment. In creating his tragedy Antigon , Sophocles uses many techniques to create the feelings of fear and pity in his readers.  According to Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is someone of great importance or royalty. The hero must go through something terrible such as a relative’s death. We must feel what this character is feeling throughout the story. Aristotle also said that a tragic hero scan be defeated by a tragic flaw, such as hubris or human pride. In Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone, both Creon and Antigone are tragic heroes.

In the play,  Creon and Antigone can be seen as good or bad characters. Both of them show traits of justice. Antigone wanted to save her brother, Polyneices, by giving him a soldier’s funeral with military honors. Creon realized his mistake of putting Antigone in a cave to die for burying Polyneices, and he tried to fix it. Unfortunately, he was a little too late. Antigone and Creon also showed immoral acts. Antigone went against Creon’s law even if it was unfair. Creon made the morally wrong law of not letting anyone bury Polyneice’s body.
Creon and Antigone both had tragic flaws. Antigone disobeyed the law by trying to bury Polyneices so Creon enforced his punishment on Antigone.