Ipheigeneia and Antigone are Women Of Honor

Antigone is saying this to Creon after she had been caught trying to bury Polynices. She is saying that Creon would not be doing justice if he punished her for doing something noble like burying her brother when no one else would. Antigone is a tragic hero because she is noble. Bravery, nobility, and possessing a flaw are three characteristics of a tragic hero, and Antigone exhibits them. Antigone is a brave person to do something that might cause her death.

Clytaemnestra was greeted with negative outcries from the old men of Argos, represented by the Chorus and the Leader, as well as her own son, Orestes. Even though... ... middle of paper ... ...in a place where "she shall call on Hades, god of death,/in her prayers. That god only she reveres" (Lines 844-845). Indeed, this is the place where Antigone goes and meets god of death, since she committed suicide. Like Clytaemnestra, Antigone lost her life due to the choices the emasculated men made in order for them to reestablish their dominance and masculinity in their respective societies.

Antigone is widely thought of as the tragic hero of the play bearing her name. She would seem to fit the part in light of the fact that she dies for doing what she believes is right. She buries her brother without worrying what might happen to her. She "Takes into consideration death and the reality that may be beyond death" (Hathorn 59). Those who do believe that Antigone was meant to be the true tragic hero argue against others who believe that Creon deserves that honor.

It would prove that he was of weak character, especially since a girl went against him. Creon said, “This girl was an old hand at insolence when she overrode the edicts we made public. But once she’d done it- the insolence, twice over- to glory in it, laughing, mocking us to... ... middle of paper ... ...’s blood, feed their lust, their fury?- Feed their fury!- Law is law!- Let all go well.”(307) Clytemnestra killed her husband upon his return from the battle of Troy. She was so heartbroken that he had killed her daughter. The tragedy in this story is almost the same as that of Antigone.

Many people say that a person who commits suicide is weak or selfish in that they bring it upon themselves to help others but then kill themselves to get out of a tough situation the easy way. However, like everything in life there are exceptions to this. Sometimes suicide is committed for the greater good; in this case it is considered a noble and honorable thing to do. Such is the case of the suicide committed by Lieutenant Shinji and his wife Reiko. The couple brought it upon themselves to kill themselves to preserve their honor and loyalty.

She dies as a sacrifice to Death so that her husband, Admetus, can escape his own fate when his time comes. A sign that women are oppressed is that Admetus picked his wife to die for him without giving it much thought. It was only after he realized how loving and caring this woman can be, did he regret his decision. Not only did he regret the decision made with the god Apollo, but Apollo himself goes and has a talk with Death. This switch in the opinion of Admetus in a way expresses the fact that women are not viewed as they should be.

Before his death, Oedipus had blinded himself, adding to the tragedy. However, Antigone's own tragedy was still unfolding. Through her proud and unrelenting character, Antigone is determined to give her brother a rightful burial, despite Creon's edict. At first Antigone seeks the help of her sister, Ismene, but when she realizes the fear and submissive attitude Ismene possesses, Antigone disregards it as even an option, another example of perhaps Antigone's tragic flaw, her own arrogance. As the tale continues, Antigone does indeed bury her brother, but is caught by Creon.

I will either kill them, or myself, or both.” This can explain Antigone’s excessive desire to bury her brother and even further be supported in lines 25-28 when Antigone challenges her sister’s loyalty. Aristotle himself said that a tragic hero should be neither better nor worse normally than a normal person. With that being said Antigone’s sister, Ismene, was in the same position as her. Originally invoking a sense of naturalism this changes with Ismene’s refusal to help bury their brother. The lack of support for Antigone’s plan leaves her no choice, but distances herself from her sister who obviously doesn’t share the same family loyalty beliefs as her (Lines 77-81).

Both of her brothers were killed in battle; however one brother fought against their home city and was considered a traitor. Creon issued a law that whoever tried to bury Polyneices would be put to death. Antigone is very upset because her one brother is graced with all the rites of a hero, while the other is disgraced. Antigone is determined to bury her brother because of her loyalty to her family and to the gods. She believes that no mortal, such as Creon, has the right to keep her from her own.

With this, he grants Eteocles an honorable funeral service for his brave fighting. Claiming that Polynices was a traitor, he shows complete refusal to grant Polynices a respectable and worthy service. Clearly disagreeing with Creon’s inexcusable demands, Antigone declares she will bury Polynices herself so that his soul can be at peace. Entirely aware of the consequences and dangers of this action, which include death, she goes forward vowing her love for her family. Antigone shows strength and determination towards her brother.