Though one may typically associate the clash of justice vs injustice with the relatively new fight of segregation during the 1960’s, Sophocles’ Antigone is a Greek tragedy written in 441B.C. with a central theme similar to what Martin Luther King, Jr. preached regarding the battle of justice during the segregation period. The play follows Antigone and Ismene after their brothers’ deaths. The brothers, Eteokles and Polyneices, were at war with each other after Oedipus’s death over the throne of Thebes. This ultimately leads to the demise of both brothers, resulting in Kreon becoming King. Thereafter, Kreon viewed Polyneices as a traitor due to his attack on his own brother in an attempt to take over the throne. Consequently, Kreon created a …show more content…
King made very clear that he believed passive acceptance of injustice is far worse than outward acceptance of injustices. With this belief in mind, when one analyzes Sophocles’ Antigone through King’s idea of civil disobedience, as explained in Letter from Birmingham Jail, Ismene’s reluctance to bury Polyneices now makes her just as villainous, if not worse, than Kreon. When one reads Antigone with King’s idea of civil disobedience in mind, Ismene can no longer be seen as the model sister and citizen she was meant to be portrayed as. Rather, she is the passive acceptor of injustice which, as Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, is the worst kind of evil. While attempting to discourage Antigone from acting against Kreon’s law, Ismene states, “No, we must obey, even this, even if something could hurt more” (Sophocles 76-77). Here, Ismene clearly shows she values peace and order above justice. She is willing to sit back and let the unjust law against her brother remain, no matter how much it hurts, in order to avoid the punishment and chaos that may result from breaking Kreon’s …show more content…
Antigone gets caught and brought to Kreon where Ismene eventually shows up and tries to take some of the blame for Antigone’s actions. Initially, Kreon intends to punish Ismene with Antigone: “yes, the other girl, I hold her equally responsible for plotting the burial” (Sophocles 594-95). When it comes to the burial itself, Ismene is innocent. However, when it comes to trying to put an end to the unjust law, Ismene is far guiltier than Antigone from King’s perspective of civil disobedience. Antigone did what King would have done. She broke the law and was fully prepared to suffer the consequences were to occur. Ismene, however, did nothing. She was fully willing to let the edict run its course without ever trying to stop the injustice. To King, Ismene would be far guiltier than Antigone as a result of her unwillingness to stand against injustice and face the consequences as her sister had
Antigone is the niece of a king and goes against her uncle’s command when he says that Polyneices isn’t allowed to have a soldier’s burial and his body must be left in the desert to rot. Antigone decides to bury him anyway because she values god’s law of burial over her uncle’s rule. Antigone tells her sister “Ismene, I am going to bury him. Will you come?... He is my brother. And he is your brother, too… Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way” (Sophocles 694). Antigone values her brother over her uncle & she believes in god’s law over Creon’s decision. King values equality and common law. He dictates “It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city’s white power structure left the
This made her sound increasingly emotional and sarcastic in the way she spoke to him, which made him less inclined to show mercy. Antigone, a defiant young woman, buried her brother with the sole purpose of doing what was just and moral. However, her decision caused an upheaval of problems as Kreon condemned her to death, and her sister Ismene was suffering now because she was going to lose yet another sibling. Antigone knew death was going to be an end result as she stated that, “You be as you think best, but I shall bury him. To me it’s fine to die performing such a deed.” (Sophocles lines 70-71). Kreon was so furious at the fact that Antigone committed such an act, and that she had no regret for what she did by the attitude and arrogance Antigone portrayed. In contrast to Antigone’s emotional and defiant attitude, Dr. King was more calm and collected in the way he presented his ideas. The way a leader speaks is very crucial to the way people will come to perceive an individual. Dr. King addressed every problem raised in a calm manner with reasoning behind his claims. By speaking in a fluent and non-aggressive manner people come to understand what you are saying, and there is a better chance of compromise. Antigone bitterly argues with Kreon about her sentence and what she did, instead of trying to peacefully try to make him understand what her
Due to the actions she took based on her emotions, Antigone suffered a far worse fate than Ismene. During her conversation with Ismene, Antigone says: “Ismene, I am going to bury him” (Sophocles, 3). To this Ismene replies with: “Bury him! You have just said the new law forbids it” (Sophocles, 3). This is the first time we experience the difference in the sisters’ behavior. Antigone has decided to bury Polyneices, although Creon’s new law forbids it. She believed that the God’s proclamation means more than Creon’s, and tells Ismene: “I will bury the brother I love” (Sophocles, 4). Ismene, on the other hand, knows that this action is forbidden by Creon’s law and isn’t willing to break it. She says: “But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do! [...] Think how much more terrible than these our own death would be if we should go against Creon and do what he has forbidden![...]The law is strong, we must give into the law in this thing, and in worse. I beg the Dead to forgive me, but I am helpless: I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to be always meddling” (Sophocles, 3-4). Ismene clearly respects the law and knows the repercussions of breaking it, something that Antigone chooses to ignore.
One might say Antigone’s principles against the cruel and powerful King Creon are similar to the principles of Martin Luther King, Jr., against the unjust laws of prejudice in America. Antigone is fighting the biased ruling of the corrupt and arrogant king Creon. MLK(Martin Luther King Jr.) is fighting for racial equality against generations of Americans. Antigone and MLK both defend their principles and actions against the battle of injustice. However, Antigone takes a more audacious approach , while Mr. King uses a more cogent path. Nevertheless, some might say Antigone’s actions were unruly and superfluous.
[ANTIGONE] That must be your excuse, I suppose. But as for me,/I will bury the brother I love. [ISMENE] Antigone, I am so afraid for you! [ANTIGONE] You need not be: You have yourself to consider, after all.” (Sophocles, Prologue, Lines 62-69) Though morally Ismene completely agrees with Antigone, her willpower gives an impression more on the lower side than Antigone’s. Even if like her sister, she values divine laws more than the state laws, Ismene contrasts with Antigone on the courage to commit such an act of burial behind the backs of Thebes’ royal court. Ismene’s silence breaks when she exclaimed in questioning her sister, “[ISMENE] Do you refuse me, Antigone? I want to die with you:/ I too have a duty that I must discharge to the dead. [ANTIGONE] You shall not lessen my death by sharing it. [ISMENE] What do I care for life when you are dead? [ANTIGONE] Ask Creon. You’re always hanging on his opinions.” (Sophocles, Prologue, Lines 437-441) Antigone’s pride caused her to become stubborn and not listen to any other opinion about the
By saying “Is e’en this boon denied to share thy lot(Sophocles 1249)? We see that Ismene wants to share the death penalty with her sister which shows how devoted she is and that she willing to do anything to be with her sister. Even though Antigone denied Ismene’s request Ismene continues to try and follow her sister. Her feeling for Antigone will never falter as will her stubbornness. Ismene is willing to die with her sister and doesn’t give in to Antigone saying no; not only does this show how stubborn Ismene can be, it also shows that she has the willpower to seek things to the end. Ismene is a one of a kind character in this play because of her devotion and kindness to her sister. If the two boys Polyneices and Eteocles were still alive it is likely that Creon would find another way to rid the state of them. In that moment Ismene would definitely be the one who protects them while keeping the family from killing each other. During the conversation from the quote above the line “But now we stand convicted, both alike(Sophocles 1249).” Ismene said that they were both convicted. From this we see that Ismene “in her eyes” are sharing the fate from Antigone 's actions. She is willing to share her fate and yet again shows how stubborn she can be when it comes to being with her sister.
Ismene believes that women are “underlings” (76) and not “contend[ing] with men” (76) because she knows that men will always control society. This viewpoint of men’s domination of women depicts Ismene to be submissive to males while being fearful of men’s authority. Ismene is unable to have control over her destiny and decisions because she is fearful of men’s power over women, which leads to her refusing to bury Polynices. Later in the play, Ismene questions Creon’s judgment by saying “you’d kill your own son’s bride?” (641) which indicates that she is now aware that woman should have a voice and power in society. Her new understanding of Antigone’s message gives her the strength to query Creon, while additionally highlighting his cruelty. Ismene’s original belief of “submit[ing] to this” (77) and being a proper Greek girl, eventually transforms into becoming an advocate for Antigone. Her transformation defies men’s authority, the opposite of what she used to believe in.
In the play Antigone, Sophocles proves to be trailblazing playwright because of Antigone’s role as a defiant woman, Antigone’s rebellion against Creon’s law, and Haemon’s fight for her liberty. Antigone sets high morals for herself and by these actions, proves her point to the King. Creon displays his aggressive and misogynistic views to Antigone, threatening to take her life if she does not obey him. In return, Antigone shows she and Ismene deserve the right to bury their brother Polynices; she stands strong in the face of death, knowing that the gods’ words were greater than a mere king’s. Sophocles is thus proven as a trailblazing playwright because of how he takes the role a woman and uses her to emphasize women’s power and authority in
Ismene continued to tell Antigone how she thought going to bury her brother, Polyneices, was a bad idea, but never actually firmly said “no.” She used logic to tell Antigone to not go through with her plan, but it backfired. Ismene has the power to stop Antigone and she negatively abused it by allowing her to continue and now she is paying the price. She is not able to firmly say
She could be locked in the stone vault for committing this crime and King Creon would not be able to do anything but punish her. Being the woman King Creon’s son, Haimon is in love with, he cannot favor her over anyone else who has committed the crime. In this situation, Antigone lets her excessive hubris get the best of her. Even though she knew the consequences, she does not want to follow King Creon’s wishes. She also fails to realize how giving Polyneices the burial he should have had, would affect her sister Ismene. Antigone and Ismene’s views are seen as contradicting because Antigone does not mind the risk of getting caught. Ismene’s need to follow King Creon’s rules, is seen by the quote, “They mean a great deal to me; but I have no strength. To break laws were made for the public good,” (192). Ismene feels that breaking laws are not meant for women, and certainly not for her sister and her. She realizes that the King could do more than the gods, and that abiding by the rules keeps them out of trouble. The gods wishes would not get in the way of King Creon’s plan for Thebes. The two opposing statements show how Ismene lacks the loyalty her sister, Antigone has for the gods. She knows that backing away from the issue, and continuing on with their life would work. The meaning of Antigone’s stubbornness is not only about doing what she feels is right is, but it is about
Kreon believes that Antigone’s crime is severe, and righteousness should be used to justify her crime. At this point of the play, Antigone realizes she will be put to death, but she does not regret her act of loyalty. In Antigone’s last speech before she takes her own life, she exclaims, “Land of Thebes, city of my fathers… see what I suffer at my mother’s brother’s hand for an act of loyalty and devotion” (Sophocles 57). Here, Antigone addresses the nation’s leaders and declares that they should notice th... ... middle of paper ... ...
Antigone’s own excessive pride drives her to her defeat. Her arrogance and strive for self-importance blinds her to the consequences of her actions. Ismene, Antigone’s sister, rejects to take part in the crime leaving Antigone all on her own. Ismeme declares “why rush to extremes? Its madness, madness” (Sophocles 80). Ismene fails to comprehend the logic behind her siste...
In Sophocles’ Antigone, the most prominent theme is the concept of divine law versus human law. The play opens with the debate between the sisters Antigone and Ismene concerning which law comes first- the devout obligations of citizens, or civic duty. Antigone requests for Ismene to assist her in burying their brother Polyneices, though the new king Creon, has prohibited burial on pain of death. It can be argued that Creon’s edict, which deprived Polyneices of his funeral rites, is understandable. The young man had been killed perpetrating the most atrocious crime of which a citizen could be guilty, and Creon, as the responsible head of state, naturally supposed that exemplary punishment was the culprit’s right...
“...never let some woman triumph over us. Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man —never be rated inferior to a woman, never.” This quote spoken by Creon, in Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Antigone, adequately represents the opinion on women during the time in which Antigone would have been alive. Women were viewed as lower than men and were expected to be docile and passive. They were expected to never object to a man’s words, no matter if those words were to be unfair or unjust. Despite this, Antigone refuses to follow one of the most fundamental teachings of her culture by burying her brother even though the king, Creon, explicitly forbids the action, since her brother is a traitor. She rebelliously does what she feels is right, which cannot be said for her sister, Ismene. Ismene represents what a woman of her time was viewed as: weak and submissive to men’s
In the play Creon goes against the Gods by making it illegal to bury Polyneices, Antigone’s brother because he is deemed a traitor. The burying of a dead body is seen as a necessity by all of Greece as it is an unspoken law of the Gods. 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.