Analysis on Antigone

Analyzing Antigone

The story of Antigone by Sophocles is essentially the story of one sister 's love for her brother and her desire for his eternal afterlife to be a pleasant one . But , thematically , the story of the woman Antigone runs much deeper . Essentially , the character of Antigone can be analyzed as one of the first feminist works in literature , as Antigone is persecuted to the highest degree because she is a woman , and that regard , makes her inferior to any man . Further , the role of Creon as ultimate punisher will be

analyzed as his treatment of Antigone was principally encouraged because of her inferior status as a woman

The action of Antigone begins after the Oedipus Rex drama has ended and King Oedipus , for the crimes of patricide and incest , is thus exiled from Thebes . Oedipus ' brother , Eteocles , decides to take over the throne and exiles his elder brother Polyneices to ensure his kingship Polyneices , of course , attacks the city and a great battle ensues during which both brothers are killed . King Creon takes the throne with the decision that Eteocles will be buried as a hero , as he was the last rightful king , and Polyneices will be left to rot and eaten by dogs for his disgraceful behavior . He further decrees that any attempts to bury Polyneices will result in a dishonorable death

To her credit , Antigone fears for the soul of her brother Polyneices despite the decree - and despite her inferiority as a woman - and solicits that...