The Importance Of Tragedy In Sophocles's 'Antigone'

Decisions made by the characters and the ramifications of their decisions are an integral aspect of illustrating a true Greek tragedy within Antigone. FIX Antigone’s stubborn will is not the only force the drives her to make a political statement. King Creon’s harsh edict forces Antigone to reconcile her allegiance to her family and her familial duty with her alliance to the city-state and her place within society. Through this intrapersonal struggle Antigone decides that she will not go against the traditions of the gods, because she would rather face “some man’s wounded pride,” than “face the retribution of the gods” (Sophocles 509-511). It is this fervor to obey the gods and fulfill her morals that contributes to her death. Likewise, Antigone’s political statement also directly influences Creon’s behaviour. Creon transitions from a logical ruler that upholds the values of

Antigone states that no mortal has the law-making powers in which the gods possess, therefore the edict but it holds no power over her, nor does it limit her brother’s burial rights. Antigone conveys her conviction when she says “[n]o matter – Death longs for the same rites for all” (Sophocle 584). Therefore, with enforcing this edict Creon is not only insulting her right to perform burial rites for Polynices, but he is also interfering with her piety and the gods will. This further fuels her need to go to extremes within her personality and lash out against Creon’s tyrannical rule. Antigone’s dedication to enacting the god’s will is exemplified when she pleas with her sister not to keep her transgression a secret but to “shout it from the rooftops… tell the world!” (Sophocles 100). This is Sophocles’ way of illustrating that Antigone’s mindset is completely encapsulated by her morals and traditions, so much so that she makes her act of defiance into a political statement sealing her