Theme Of Justice In Antigone

Words: 1068
Pages: 5
Open Document
A Dilemma Regarding Justice
The play, “Antigone,” by Sophocles, illustrates a handful of characters that suffer from personal dilemmas pertaining to their own specific understandings of justice. The king of Thebes, Creon, bears the most misery throughout his predicament, in which he is faced with his own morals as a ruler and a father. He grows to find that the consequences that are formed from his decisions are irreversible and predestined. Stubborn and proud, Creon argues in defense of his values and choices, yet he is ultimately left alone with the guilt of indirectly causing the deaths of Antigone, Haemon, and the Queen.
The character of Creon is introduced to readers as a cold and egotistical leader holding an abundance of pride for …show more content…
He begins his argument wisely by bending his knee to Creon and acting as an obedient son. But he swiftly grows defiant and brazen, as he too begins to question Creon’s actions and warn him against their consequences. Creon takes Haemon’s disobedience personally rather than as a political suggestion and the two end their debate on poor terms, with Haemon threatening his father with the foreshadowing of both Antigone’s death as well as his own. Teiresias, the blind prophet, is the last of Creon’s visitors, and is the ultimate cause of the ruler’s sudden change of mind towards Antigone’s fate. The mystic offers the advice of the gods, which Creon has respected and used in the past. He is therefore distressed once Teiresias claims that his destiny will bring both agony and pain. Once again, the King takes the warning as a personal attack, and accuses the old man of purposefully lying. His antagonizing nature is balanced by that of Teiresias, who forces Creon to acknowledge the impact of the visions upon Thebes. After making his case, advising his sovereign to free Antigone, and leaving, Creon is left in a panicked state. He is fearful and confused, “ To yield is hard, and yet resistance means being crushed by ruin.” Though Creon’s logic is strong and holds a great weight upon him, he is emotionally drawn to Tieiresias’ words. With the guidance of the Choral Leader,
Show More

Related Documents: Theme Of Justice In Antigone

Creon As A Character Foil In Antigone

In the ancient tragedy, Antigone, the play contains lots of conflicts. Many foils are presented throughout the play. Antigone acts as a character foil for Creon by showing how Creon is fractious. Their conflict helps develop the theme by showing that everyone believes something different. Antigone helps develop Creon as a tragic hero by showing how he is remiss in being king. To begin, Antigone acts as a character foil for Creon because it shows that he is a fractious person. Creon states, “ Then…

Words 382 - Pages 2

Family In Antigone

Although Antigone, takes place in Ancient Athens, the play is capable of being modernized in a manner that satisfies today’s society thirst for entertainment. There are various universal themes embedded in Antigone that are still applicable to modern day society. Family and power are common themes that are not only established in the play but can also be translated into themes that arise today in various novels, poems, or movies. From many centuries ago to present day society, family is portrayed…

Words 523 - Pages 3

Role Of Universal Law In Antigone

Theban Plays. This sketch represents an important scene in the play Antigone. It depicts on when universal law and civil law do not match up. You are indeed justified to follow universal divine law if the civil law goes against it. Another theme of truth, in the play is depicted in the picture. The theme of universal law and what you know is right versus civil law and what your told to follow is depicted throughout the play. Antigone, the women crying in the picture, is an independent women that stands…

Words 708 - Pages 3

Creon Tragic Hero Essay

anger towards each other. These two conflicting motivations ultimately develop Creon as a tragic hero by showing how he changes from the end to the beginning and ultimately his downfall. These characters interactions advance the plot and develop the theme by keeping the conflict going and showing their motivations. Presumably Antigone's actions and ideas the contrast with Creon show how creon develops as a tragic hero.…

Words 680 - Pages 3

Essay about 'Antigone is an admirable character.' How far do you agree with this statement?

'Antigone is a thoroughly admirable character.' How far do you agree with this statement? Throughout the play, Antigone is presented as an audacious and unorthodox female character, whose actions depict her independence and confidence. She dismisses the rules which she believes are false, and honourably battles against her uncle's rule to bring justice to her slaughtered brother; her original intentions suggest how important family relationships are to her. However, Antigone's reckless behaviour…

Words 1006 - Pages 5

Conflicting Influences In Sophocles Antigone

Sophocles in Antigone uses Ismene to convey two conflicting influences. Ismene is torn between following the civil law or the divine law, in order to bury Polynices. These two influences illuminate the meaning of Antigone as a whole. Ismene struggles to follow the civil law in order to avoid punishment. Additionally, She tries to change Antigone’s mind about burying Polynices. Ismene loves her sister, and she wants to keep her out of harm’s way. Fearing that she and Antigone were too weak to make…

Words 624 - Pages 3

Creon's Downfall Essay

character. In the end these conflicting motivations develop Creon as a tragic hero by causing Antigone's death. “In the furthest corner of the tomb Antigone was hanging by her neck.”(lines 358-59) and the character interactions advance the plot by causing a…

Words 563 - Pages 3

Antigone The Role Of Fate In Oedipus

who is of high moral character and generally respected by others. However, throughout the play Antigone contended against Creon's aspects of flesh and blood, the regulations of society, and the circumstances of power. Also, Antigone is the foundation of the sequence of deaths that transpired throughout the play. Withal, Creon does suffer the loss of his wife and son, but the story begins with Antigone talking to Ismene about burying her brother. Therefore, she is the most significant person because…

Words 984 - Pages 4

Creon And Haemon Script Analysis

Antigone - Scene III The setting of the area is in war and the theme is the script of Creon and haemon fighting for letting antigone free and/or not letting antigone not free. The conflicts are Antigone was helping the enemy giving guns but Sergeant Major Creon caught Antigone smuggling, then Master Gunnery Sergeant Haemon was trying to free First Sergeant Antigone. Leader Young sir you should be the side with your kingdom or the people will be mad so you should speak and convince them. Creon You…

Words 516 - Pages 3

Essay Women vs men

challenged the law of state under death penalty. The play carries the idea that even in those times; women have the possibility of self-realization and can be as strong and wise as men. In Antigone, Sophocles describes the type of pride that allows men to create laws that substitute for divine principles. Also “Antigone” is a thoughtful example of Greek tragedy because the play contains all traditional Greek tragedy elements as well. Some of those elements mention or illustrate that the play is written…

Words 1637 - Pages 7