Antigone

Antigone

Sophocles

Analysis

Name

Date

In analyzing the masterpiece that is Antigone ' by Sophocles , one cannot discredit the era when it was conceived . The culture of the Greeks is strongly discussed in the play . Ancient Greece during that time held ideals that tried to pose solutions to their lives ' very complicated queries . From spending a lot of energy on the lives of God it was at this time in Ancient Greece where man focused on himself . The seeds of democracy were being planted and from monarchy to a form

of government where groups of men ruled , society was continually evolving With this social evolution came many conflicting ideals that made dilemmas more complex

Antigone was a play that reflected the complex transformation ancient Greece was experiencing . Sophocles was at those important parts of the backdrop of these debates because he was privy to matters of politics for Pericles was his friend

In 444 , when the Athenian people chose Pericles as their leader , they demanded greatness : democracy combines with imperialism . Periclean democracy meant free speech , free association , and open access to power limited by law for assuming that intelligence is born in all , law created by all is the best ruler (Braun , 1973 :3

These conflicts and drama happening in Greece can be seen in the play where Creon battles Antigone over a philosophical war that is tearing Greek ideals apart . Throughout the play , both characters try to be hero and villain to each other 's beliefs . They both feel they are right and both believe that the other person is wrong . Essentially , their morals are clashing due to the contradictions of how they define morality

The conflicts that make up the tragedy involve Antigone versus Creon It also describes the conflict of believing in Heaven 's Laws versus Man 's Laws . Antigone challenges Creon in her line "I do not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten unalterable laws of God and heaven , you being only a man " Antigone 's belief is so strong that she will die to make sure her brother will be buried properly and enter the gates of Heaven even if it costs her life On the other hand , Creon will kill just to make sure Man 's Laws are fulfilled and he is able to enforce power over his land and ensure peace and stability

Ancient Greece was very privy on the roles of their government and its scope and limitations . Government controlled the lives of people including their religious matters . With Antigone being published , it can be assumed that people in Greece had problems with having the government dictate to them their spiritual choices . It was close to saying that the government can be powerful but there were limitations . Government must respect the dead and traditions pertaining to the dead . In the play Creon foolishly crossed the line when he decided that Antigone 's brother since he lived a life of a traitor didn 't deserve proper burial as against the other...