Evidently Antigone is self-centered. Her life is placed in a good frame as she is the daughter of the dead king, Oedipus. Although her sister Ismene is more beautiful than her, Haemon chooses Antigone over her sister. Moreover, he proposes to her to live a happy life and in the long run, rule Thebes together. However, Antigone expunges her pleasure out of her frame one by one as she stubbornly listens to herself, only. Soon after finding out Creon’s decision to only bury one of her dead brothers, Antigone is indubitably enraged. That’s why I’ve announced to all citizens
my orders for the sons of Oedipus— 220
Eteocles, who perished in the fight
to save our city, the best and bravest
of our spearmen, will have his burial,
with all those purifying rituals
which accompany the noblest corpses,
as they move below. As for his brother—
that Polyneices, who returned from exile,
eager to wipe out in all-consuming fire [200]
his ancestral city and its native gods,
keen to seize upon his family’s blood 230
and lead men into slavery—for him,
the proclamation in the state declares
he’ll have no burial mound, no funeral rites,
and no lament. He’ll be left unburied,
his body there for birds and dogs to eat,
a clear reminder of his shameful fate (Personae). Creon’s words were clear and it was an order to all citizens. His words were forceful to all but one person, Antigone. She was cognizant of the possible consequences that followed breaking his demand, but in her mind, only her principle existed: to bury Polyneices, who was left to rot. Determined that she will face her death soon, she asked her significant one to marry her sooner. She wanted to accomplish her love before her death but she didn’t consider the misery she would stir in Haemon’s heart. More importantly, she kicked out her ideal future, her future with Haemon. Also, she put the future throne of Thebes in danger as she left the future king without a wife with an unstable mind. With all the possible consequences on her mind, Antigone escaped to cover her brother’s body with dirt. When Creon found out he was dazed yet forgiving. He understood Antigone’s willingness to have a proper burial for her brother; therefore, he explicated his rulings by speaking of the reasons why he left Polyneices dead body unattended and there were several. Creon claimed that Antigone “had a brother killed fighting for the other side” (583). Nonetheless, she neglected to listen to his substantiations and stay firm to her own belief, that he is from the same mother as she is. Hence, she simply and boldly rejected Creon’s forgiveness and asked for death. Creon was willing to excuse her the first time but Antigone wasn’t willing to stop herself from burying her brother. She ignored the kindness of the king and allowed her hubris to draw out her fate: death. Due to her arrogance, she is executed. Due to her hubris, Haemon refuses to live without her; therefore, stabs himself. Due to her conceit, Haemon’s mom cuts her throat. Due to her haughtiness, the happiness in Thebes is gone instantaneously. Nonetheless, all her arrogance derives from her principles. She is stubborn because she wants to bury her brother, which shows her devotion to family. Despite Polyneices’ wrong doings and the consequences of her actions, Antigone wants to give him a proper burial because she thinks it is a duty as a family member. Moreover, she feels the right to be arrogant as her father was once the ruler of Thebes. It is evident that Antigone is the source of the unhappiness rising in the city; nevertheless, all the trouble she causes and goes through it simply for her family, to firmly stay true principle.
Soon after finding out Creon’s decision to only bury one of her dead brothers, Antigone is indubitably enraged.
That’s why I’ve announced to all citizens
my orders for the sons of Oedipus— 220
Eteocles, who perished in the fight
to save our city, the best and bravest
of our spearmen, will have his burial,
with all those purifying rituals
which accompany the noblest corpses,
as they move below. As for his brother—
that Polyneices, who returned from exile,
eager to wipe out in all-consuming fire [200]
his ancestral city and its native gods,
keen to seize upon his family’s blood 230
and lead men into slavery—for him,
the proclamation in the state declares
he’ll have no burial mound, no funeral rites,
and no lament. He’ll be left unburied,
his body there for birds and dogs to eat,
a clear reminder of his shameful fate (Personae).
Creon’s words were clear and it was an order to all citizens. His words were forceful to all but one person, Antigone. She was cognizant of the possible consequences that followed breaking his demand, but in her mind, only her principle existed: to bury Polyneices, who was left to rot.
Determined that she will face her death soon, she asked her significant one to marry her sooner. She wanted to accomplish her love before her death but she didn’t consider the misery she would stir in Haemon’s heart. More importantly, she kicked out her ideal future, her future with Haemon. Also, she put the future throne of Thebes in danger as she left the future king without a wife with an unstable mind. With all the possible consequences on her mind, Antigone escaped to cover her brother’s body with dirt.
When Creon found out he was dazed yet forgiving. He understood Antigone’s willingness to have a proper burial for her brother; therefore, he explicated his rulings by speaking of the reasons why he left Polyneices dead body unattended and there were several. Creon claimed that Antigone “had a brother killed fighting for the other side” (583). Nonetheless, she neglected to listen to his substantiations and stay firm to her own belief, that he is from the same mother as she is. Hence, she simply and boldly rejected Creon’s forgiveness and asked for death. Creon was willing to excuse her the first time but Antigone wasn’t willing to stop herself from burying her brother. She ignored the kindness of the king and allowed her hubris to draw out her fate: death.
Due to her arrogance, she is executed. Due to her hubris, Haemon refuses to live without her; therefore, stabs himself. Due to her conceit, Haemon’s mom cuts her throat. Due to her haughtiness, the happiness in Thebes is gone instantaneously.
Nonetheless, all her arrogance derives from her principles. She is stubborn because she wants to bury her brother, which shows her devotion to family. Despite Polyneices’ wrong doings and the consequences of her actions, Antigone wants to give him a proper burial because she thinks it is a duty as a family member. Moreover, she feels the right to be arrogant as her father was once the ruler of Thebes. It is evident that Antigone is the source of the unhappiness rising in the city; nevertheless, all the trouble she causes and goes through it simply for her family, to firmly stay true principle.