Why does Antigone believe that she not only must bury Polyneices, despite Creon's order, but also "shout it out" (line 99)? What does this tell us about Antigone's worldview and values? What other evidence supports this interpretation? What does Antigone mean, for example, when she says, "I shall be a criminal- but a religious one" (84-85), or when she tells Creon, " I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure" (469-99)?
Analysis
The drama plays written by Sophocles, were written in the era of classical Greek drama. An insight into the culture, traditions, beliefs and values of the Greek society in this era are conveyed as they are entwined and are copiously portrayed in the plays written by this famous author of ancient Greek tragedy. In Sophocles Antigone, Creon needed to bring the city under his rule shortly after the tragedy of Eteocles and Polyneices killing each other. He appeared to be banking on the method of instilling respect and fear for him to do so. Creon gave Eteocles the defender of the city a proper burial, however he made an edict that Polyneices should not be buried and left to rot in the streets because he attacked Thebes (SOPHOCLES Antigone lines 25-35).
Antigone is driven by moral law and an obligation to family, she buries her brother Polyneices hence defying the edict set by Creon. Not only was the denying of burial seen as an insult to the individual in the times of ancient Greece, but it left their soul to wander for eternity and they would never rest in peace. Antigone said “I shall be a criminal- but a religious one" (Antigone lines 84-85) ,by breaking the edict of the king she will be termed by society as a criminal, but she believed her actions are morally and religiously justified and this is a greater justification than that of societal justification.
A significant fact to mention was that Antigone was a female and women in this time period were never thought to be equal to their male counterparts, this influenced a lot of the thought process of women e.g. “You ought to realize we are only women not meant in nature to fight against men (Ismene lines 70-71), but because of the situation Antigone faced, she not only sternly, openly and proudly defied any male, she defied the King himself, this gives you some insight on how courageous her character was. Additionally Antigone takes great pride in the fact that she is doing what she believes is morally right and had no intention of concealing this fact. "Shout it out" (Antigone line 99) were the words she used after her sister told her she would be tight lipped about the burial, I will hate you still worse for silence-should you not proclaim it. Undoubtedly Antigone wants the city and Creon to know that she a woman defied the king by going against his word, she stood up for what she deemed as right despite the consequences. She seems to now find peace in the fact that Polyneices soul would not be dammed and was no longer wandering and the afterlife for her would also be pleasant because she did not allow this unnatural even to continue. Moreover it appeared that Antigone believed that death tied with moral pleasure far outweighed that of having life while exercising obedience to morally contradicting civil law, this triggered her not to fear death. Consequently she admitted to what she had done and was very strong headed in her stance against Creon, and was not afraid to verbally bash the King, debating the injustice of his edict. This lack of fear and the pride is portrayed in (line 487) Antigone “yes, I confess: I will not deny my deed.” As she bravely and pompously tells Creon that she has defied his edict clearly not caring for the consequences.
Polytheism was widely practiced and played a major part of the lives of the people society. Antigone’s actions are somewhat as a result of the various beliefs or superstitions associated with polytheism and that the laws of the gods were superior to that of the laws or a mortal man such as Creon. This was conveyed when she said “I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances, unwritten and secure" (469-99)? Hence faith and reverence to the height supernatural power trumps that of the laws of mortal man.
-DENVER FORD
This is a great piece!
ReplyDelete