Essay on Nature of the Conflict in Sophocles Antigone

The Nature of the Conflict in Antigone In â€Å"Sophocles’ Praise of Man and the Conflicts of the Antigone,† Charles Paul Segal explains the nature of the conflict between Antigone and Creon: The conflict between Creon and Antigone has its starting point in the problems of law and justice. At any rate, the difference is most explicitly formulated in these terms in Antigone’s great speech on the divine laws. . . . Against the limited and relative â€Å"decrees† of men she sets the eternal laws of Zeus, the â€Å"unwritten laws of the gods.† She couples her assertion of these absolute â€Å"laws† with her own resolute acceptance of death (460) (64). In Antigone the protagonist, is humble and pious before the gods and would not tempt the†¦show more content†¦I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever. But if thou wilt, be guilty of dishonouring laws which the gods have established in honour. Ismene is unmoved by the reasoning and sentiments of her sister: â€Å"I do them no dishonour; but to defy the State,-I have no strength for that.† Her conflict with her sister over the unlawful interment is not a serious conflict for either of the sisters. Ismene, in parting, accuses Antigone of foolishness in her bold plans: â€Å"Go, then, if thou must; and of this be sure,-that though thine errand is foolish, to thy dear ones thou art truly dear.† Ismene, one might say, is â€Å"humble and pious† to the king first and to the gods secondly. Creon is introduced into the drama, the antithesis of humility and piety; he replaces Eteocles as ruler in Thebes: â€Å"I now possess the throne and all its powers, by nearness of kinship to the dead.† Creon explains to the elderly Thebans of the chorus the rationale behind the new edict regarding Polynices, which stipulates: â€Å". . .it hath been proclaimed to our people that none shall grace him with sepulture or lament, but leave him unburied, a corpse for birds and dogs to eat, a ghastly sight of shame.† No sooner has the edict been promulgated than a guard reports to the king that the edict has been violated: â€Å"The corpse-some one hath justShow MoreRelatedAntigone As A Strong Woman1322 Words   |  6 PagesSophocles presents Antigone as a strong woman who is both dedicated to her family and her community. Much conflict arises between these two dedications. In this paper, I will give examples of Antigone’s different individual responsibilities and he r philosophies and explain how they conflict with the commitment that she is to have to her community and indirectly, her king. Ultimately, I will argue that Sophocles demonstrated his ideas as to what values the Greek community should hold at the most profoundRead MoreEssay on Analyzing Antigone and Creon1313 Words   |  6 PagesSophocles play titled Antigone, embellishes the opposing conflicts between Antigone who stands for the values of family, and Creon who stands for the values of state. Sophocles explores the depths of Antigone’s morality and the duty based on consequence throughout the play, as well as the practical consequences of Creon who is passionate and close-minded. Although Antigone’s moral decisions appear to be more logical and favorable than Creon’s, a personal argument would be that both characters’Read MoreAntigone By Sophocles Antigone1478 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout Antigone, Antigone is a presented as a strong woman who is both dedicated to her family and her community. That said, there is much conflict between these two dedications. In this paper, I will give examples of Antigone’s different individual responsibilities and her philosophies and explain how those conflict with the commitment that she is to have to her community and indirectly, her king. Ultimately, I will argue that Sophocles demonstrated his values of family, the way of the godsRead MoreGreek Mythologies: Gods and Mortals in Greek Literature1714 Words   |  7 Pagesinteraction between the supernatural divinities and the mortals. 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Therefore, analyzing the motif of gender roles and its effect on the definition of justice through the perspectives of Ismene, Antigone, and Creon enables the audience to understand how Sophocles macroscopic analogy to humanitys prejudiced judgments asRead MoreThe Conflict Between Nature Versus Human Institution937 Words   |  4 PagesAntigone by Sophocles is a play that has lasted through the ages because of its underlying meaning that can still be applied today in conflicts such as parents who choose to not vaccinate their children. It is a conflict between nature versus human institution. Throughout this play one notices there is no clear hero. The basic conflict in Antigone came about by a disagreement between two brothers in a royal family in Thebes, Eteocles and Polynices, Eteocles being the older brother. Antigone and Ismene