Discussion Of The Tragic Hero In Sophocles Antigone

He is forced to live, knowing that three people are dead because of his ignorance, which is a punishment worse than death. My opinion on this debate is that Antigone is the tragic hero. She tries to help her brother without worrying about what will happen to her. She says, "I intend to give my brother burial. I'll be glad to die in the attempt, -if it's a crime, then it's a crime that God commands" (Sophocles 4).

She does not accept her full punishment of being forced to live in the tomb, but takes the easy way out and kills herself. This is almost an acceptance of defeat to Creon showing she was not willing to go forth with her punishment. Antigone's decision to carry through with the burial of her brother Polynices brought forth no seeable good. Only more catastrophe and chaos struck a family to which they are no strangers. If Antigone had put the good of her countrymen before her deceased brother, the situation could have turned out to benefit all of Thebes.

She reminds Antigone that they are on... ... middle of paper ... ...assistance, resolves to give their brother a proper burial. Ismene feared helping Antigone bury Polyneices but offers to die beside Antigone when Creon sends her to die. Antigone, however, refuses to allow her sister to be killed for something she did not have the courage to stand up for. The position of women is an important theme in this play. Gender has an impact on Antigone and her actions.

When the king Creon ordered that the body of Polyneices, Antigone's brother, be left to rot unburied because he had died as a traitor, she tried to buried him even she knew that she would be punished. She believed that a dead person's soul could not rest if that person's body was not buried so she chooses to challenge a powerful Creon, the king of Thebes in order to let her brother rest peacefully. This presents a huge problem for Antigone; she feels she must obey the laws of the gods and bury her brother, but the penalty would be earthly death. To me, Antigone is a hero, what she did for her brother was very respectful, not many could have the strength to do so in the same situation. However, I believe the true tragic hero in Sophocles' Antigone is Creon, not Antigone.

Antigone goes to bury her brother so his afterlife will be better. She does it in spite of the law that Creon has made. “It is the dead, not the living, who make the longest demands” (192) She tries to explain to her sister, Ismene, that they must bury Polyneices, but even that close relationship has trouble because of the law. Ismene is unwilling to suffer the consequences of the law, to save her brother’s soul “Forgive me but I am helpless: I must yield to those in authority” (192) Even the two sisters who have just lost both of their brothers have different views on the matter. One will not stray from the law and what is deemed right by their king, while the other will accept any punishment, even death just to do what she believes is right.

She feels she is following the bigger laws of the Gods in burying her brother. When talking to her sister about her plans to bury their brother, Antigone says, “But I will bury him; and if I must die, / I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down/ With him in death” (Sophocles Prologue.55-57). Antigone’s pure love for her brother and willingness to accept the punishment she knows is coming are, among other things, what make her crime holy. She buries Polyneices simply b... ... middle of paper ... ...e more solid and pure than those of Brutus, who’s intentions were shaky and questionable. Antigone’s crime was a lesser offense because it harmed no one and only helped to put her late brother to rest.

She reminds Antigone that they are the only family members left and pleads with her not to commit such a crime, but Antigone refuses to accept the logic in her sister’s argument and will not be swayed, even though the idea of her death clearly upsets her sister. Ismene later has a change of heart and wishes to die alongside her sister in order to honor the dead as well, she even confesses to Creon, but Antigone rejects her idea of being a martyr, saying that her own death “will suffice” (Sophocles 136). Ismene then imagines life without her sister. The idea of losing the only kin she has left on Earth terrifies Ismene. She pleads to Antigone, “what life is dear to me bereft of you?” (Sophocles 136).

She pretends to care about Juliet’s feelings and desires, but it is soon revealed that Lady Capulet would rather have her daughter killed than be disobeyed. When given the choice between death or a terrible life, many would choose the easy way out, and this is exactly what the vulnerable Juliet is forced to do. To make matters worse, Juliet will not open up and tell her parents about her true love since the families are enemies. When she finds out that her true love is a Montague, she cries, “My only love sprung from my only hate.” (1.5.138). This quote shows that even Juliet knows that she cannot be with Romeo because of the feud and because she knows her parents will not allow it.

Ismene is trying to convince Antigone that they should just follow Creon’s law because she is scared and Ismene does not want them to get executed. Ismene tells Antigone angrily, “Our own death would be if we should go against Creon/And do what he has forbidden!” Antigone replies, “You may do as you like, /Since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you.”(462) Antigone believes the god’s law is more important than Creon. Antigone will even go against her own sister to make sure her brother receives a proper burial. Antigone keeps the consistency of being strong throughout the entire play. After the sentry informs Creon that Antigone was the one trying to bury Polyneices, he wants Antigone arrested.

Antigone is angry for what her sister has said. She claimed, “If that is what you think, /I should not want you, even if you asked to come” (1. 54-56). Even when Ismene was ready to take part of the blame of the crime that was committed, Antigone, being as noble as she is, would not allow her sister to take any of the punishment. Because she protected her sister shows the reader that Antigone is truly a strong