The Tragedy of Antigone

It is plain to see what about the character of Antigone it is that makes this a tragedy. Tragedy is defined as a dramatic composition dealing with a serious or somber theme, and this story fits all these criteria. First of all, it involves a tragic course of events that involved both of her brothers dying and then being completely disrespected even in death. She felt she had to rectify this mistake, even though it was against the law, and the opposition was too great. Because of her attempt to rectify the injustice, even more tragic things happened to her and her family. This is why she is a tragic heroine.

First of all, there was a tragic series of events that caused her to become involved in them by disrespecting her own brother. She had two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices. Upon Oedipus’ death, it was agreed that they would alternate rule of his throne each year. However, after the first year, Eteocles refused to step down from the throne. This led to a duel between the brothers, which resulted in both the brothers killing each other. Because of this, Antigone’s uncle, Creon, took the throne, and ordered Eteocles buried but for Polynices to remain above ground. He also ordered that any attempt to bury him would cause the culprit to be put to death. This was the injustice that set off the whole tragedy, although the events before it were slightly tragic as well.

Despite the death sentence threatened to be carried out on anyone who attempted to bury Antigone’s brother, Antigone viewed it as such an injustice that she felt she must rectify it at all costs. A tragic series of events unfolded because of this feeling that helps define this story as a tragedy and Antigone as a tragic heroine. When the story begins, Antigone is talk...

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...not only because of the amount of deaths of loved ones in this story, but in the fashion that they transpired, is this considered a tragedy and Antigone a tragic heroine. Antigone had to endure the loss of both her brothers, and while that in itself may have come along in everyday life, one of her brothers was deemed to have abandoned the state of his origin, and was not allowed to be buried properly. While trying to rectify this injustice, as she felt was necessary to do by honor, she was sentenced to death, and because of this, her family and betrothed bound themselves to her by committing suicide as well. This is a story of not only tragedy, but also extreme passion and honor, which is not found in today’s world. We can all learn something from this story, because none of us could even hope to display the dedication that Antigone did to her brother even in death.