Antigone is Oedipus’ daughter. Oedipus was exiled from Thebes. Eteocles and Polyneices are Antigone’s brothers, and Ismene is Antigone’s younger sister. Oedipus sat on the throne before being banished, leaving Creon to take over the throne as Oedipus’s sons were too young to take over the throne. Eteocles took over the throne and exiled Polyneices, who, in turn, organized an army to overthrow Eteocles. Eteocles and Polyneices fought each other and eventually killed each other. This makes Creon take over the throne once more. Creon declares that Eteocles should be buried with honour, but Polyneices should not be buried for being a disgrace and a traitor. This essay brings to light Antigone’s concerns about performing Polyneices burial rites and her bravery in doing so.
Antigone’s main concern is to perform the burial rites and bury her brother Polyneices. Creon had declared that Polyneices was a traitor and, therefore, should not be buried. Antigone insists that Polyneices should be buried, claiming that Polyneices was her brother and she loved him. After the 50th line, Antigone says, “At least he is my brother.” Antigone also tells Ismene that her time to please the dead is longer than that she must please the living (85). Antigone does not want to deny Polyneices as her brother as Ismene does. Antigone does not want to dishonour what the gods have honoured (85). Antigone claims that it is not for Creon to keep her love (Polyneices) from her.
Antigone has made up her mind not to accept Creon’s decree like her sister Ismene has. Antigone claims that it is not for Creon to keep her from her own (50). Antigone is aware that Creon honoured Eteocles but dishonoured Polyneices, and she is displeased because of this. Antigone is brave and does not fear being killed because of performing the burial rites on her brother Polyneices (80). Antigone refuses to deny Polyneices and proves false to him (50). In line 100, Antigone tells Ismene that she should “proclaim it to everyone.” This shows how she is not afraid of Creon, knowing that she performed the burial rites.
In conclusion, Antigone displays bravery in the way she fights for Polyneices’ burial rites. Antigone is very brave and is not afraid of death. Antigone proves to speak against Creon to show her displeasure. Antigone is not pleased with the way Creon dishonours her brother Polyneices.
Works Cited
“Antigone.” BookRags. 2004. 15 Nov. 2006 <http://www.bookrags.com/notes/
Mays, Kelly J. The Norton introduction to literature. WW Norton & Company, 2015.
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