Antigone is condemned to be buried alive inside a tomb, while Antigone’s faithful and loving sister Ismene will live, but then go into exile. This cliffhanger leaves the audience wondering what Creon is going to do next. After Antigone was dead by Creon’s orders, Haemon quickly tried to intervene for Antigone by trying to persuade his father not to kill Antigone. When Creon refused his claims, Haemon stabbed himself in front of his father and died before walking away with Antigone’s dead body.
His last words were “I have killed my dearest friend… I would rather/that you did this deed yourself! / Instead of speaking words that were vain! Antigone! Antigone! / I have rushed to your death. ” This cliffhanger leaves the audience wondering if Creon will continue on with his cruelty or be merciful to Antigone and Haemon. In this part of Antigone, there is a conversation between Antigone and Creon about what Antigone had done, which was burying Polynices despite Creon forbidding it. They talk about her reasons for doing so and whether or not they are valid. It also shows Antigone’s stubbornness as well as Creon’s lack of compassion at times. Antigone has many valid reasons for doing what she did, yet Creon does not see it that way.
Antigone felt strongly about the death of her brother, Polynices, and Creon was basically going to leave him as a rotting corpse on the battlefield for his brothers to find. Antigone also thought there would be trouble if she didn’t bury him, so she chose to do it anyway. Creon had an unjust law set in place saying Antigone’s brothers were not allowed to bury their fallen enemies’ bodies and Antigone broke that law even though she could be punished with death for doing so by burying her own brother’s body. This is like Antigone putting herself at risk just because she wanted to do what was right and eventually dying because of it.
Creon tries to explain Antigone’s actions as trying to put Polynices’ body out of its misery, but he is quick to point out Antigone and Ismene’s defiance of his commands. Antigone simply wishes Creon could acknowledge their reasoning, and she further explains why they were doing this for their brother. Antigone tries to make it seem like we should care more about our family than the law because we’d do anything for them in Antigone’s eyes. Antigone does not want Creon to kill her because they are related by blood and that is what makes us care more about family than anybody else.
Antigone especially cares about her brothers; when one dies she prays he isn’t dead because she misses him, Antigone is the only one who seems to really care about her brother Polynices. Antigone also cares about what Creon thinks of her because Antigone’s motive for burying her brother was not just to try and defy Creon but to give Polynices a proper burial because she loved him very much. Antigone wants Creon to have some sympathy when he talks about Antigone not caring for Polynices anymore when in reality Antigone cared so much that she killed herself in order to be able to bury him properly.
When Creon finally acknowledges Antigone’s true motive for wanting to bury Polynices, Antigone condemns Creon by describing his actions as “unjust” and “cruel. ” Antigone also says that Creon is keeping her from doing the right thing, no matter how much she wants to care for Polynices’ body. Antigone does not want Creon’s unjust laws to be the reason why Antigone cannot do what Antigone feels Antigone should do. Antigone turns around and tells Creon if he doesn’t want their family to mourn for Polynices then he should just kill Antigone now because Antigones family will still grieve over his death.
This leaves an impression on the audience as well as Creon as this may be one of those times where blood really is thicker than. Antigone represents the stubbornness of Antigone, Creon represents the selfish nature of Creon, and Haemon provides a balance between Antigone and Antigone. Antigone tells Antigone she is wrong to defy her father’s wishes; yet Antigone ultimately gives into Antigone’s plan when Antigone sees Antigone will not back down. Antigone relents but does not condone Antigone or Haemon’s decision to bury Polynices no matter what Creon says.
Antigone’s fate is unknown, so there are high expectations of Antigone being saved or Antigone fated to fail. The reader is questioning Antigone’s actions and future doings. Antigone’s thoughts are portrayed by using many physical descriptions, using “she” instead of Antigone’s name helps the readers have a better understanding of who Antigone is as a character. The Antigone Analysis shows that this play was meant to be performed rather than read. This adaptation was not written in prose form but with dialogue. Prose means regular sentences with action verbs, whereas drama is dialogue containing monologues
Another key point made in the analysis demonstrates how Antgione looks for her sister, Antigone, rather than Antigone coming to her. Antigone is looking for Antigone, with no end in sight until she finally finds her. This shows how Antigone’s desperation led her to risk the dangers of crossing the guard without permission or aid. She has little hope left but will do anything she can to find Antigone. This Antigone Analysis clearly brings across how Antigone does not want to live if it means leaving her sister behind. Antigone lives and dies by this rule: family before everything else; above the rules of men and kings alike.
It is why she feels so much guilt when Ismene first comes out and says “I am your sister”. Antigone is not convinced that Antigone has really escaped and Antigone will keep coming and going and Antigone repeatedly asks about the dead body. Antigone won’t be satisfied after getting Antigone back, she wants to see for herself that Antigone is alive. Antigone does not believe Antigone could live through such an experience as burying a bound man (Polynices). Antigone continues to ponder over whether this was right or wrong; it bothers her enough to leave her sister down in the tomb for hours on end while she sleeps.
She knows she doesn’t deserve peace but with Ismene by her side, Antigone goes against all previous thoughts of peace and knows what must be done ” Antigone hands over herself to the new lords and masters of Thebes. Antigone wants her death to mean something instead of just another fallen soldier in a war that Antigone did not want or ask for. Antigone tells Ismene that they must die together and Antigone wants both sisters to be buried side by side so no one can separate them again. Antigone’s fate is unknown at this point, but Antigone is certain she will die either way: whether it is from burying Polynices or being executed by Creon.
