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antigones

ESSAY ON SOPHOCLES ' `ANTIGONE

Both Antigone and Creon have the traits of a tragic hero . According to Aristotle , a tragic hero is a high or noble character . He should not only be of high birth but he should also be a noble person who chooses to act nobly . Antigone and Creon , both are of noble birth . Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus , the king and Creon is the brother of Queen Jocasta and uncle of Antigone . In the play 'Antigone ' by Sophocles Antigone is a noble character . She promotes an honorable burial for

her dead brother Polynieces by throwing a ceremonial handful of dust on the corpse at the dead of night . But Creon cannot be considered as a noble character . He fulfills his pride as the king of Thebes . He believes that Polynieces is the villain as he has fought against Thebes so he s not to give him a burial . He does not consider his family relations and the law of humanity

According to Aristotle , the tragic character is not perfect but has a flaw which leads him to his disaster . Antigone has a flaw in her character . She is a stubborn and a head strong lady who goes against the Sovereign to bury her brother . Not for a moment does she pause and ponder on what will bring on her for disobeying the king . She thinks that she is right in giving a honorable burial for her brother and so she does it . She does not listen to other 's opinion but does what she wishes . Her stubbornness brings her fall . She does not even listen to her own sister Ismene . When Ismene learns of her sister 's plans of burying their brother Polynieces by going against the ruler of Thebes she entreats Antigone of such an act in the following lines : If in defiance of the law we cross A monarch 's will ?--weak women , think of that , Not framed by nature to contend with men . Remember this too that the stronger rules We must obey his s , these or worse . Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat The dead to pardon . I perforce obey The powers that be . Tis foolishness , I ween , To overstep in aught the golden mean (Antigone . Ismene urges Antigone through these lines not to go against the ruler not only because as week women they cannot fight the world of men but also because they cannot turn against the ruler because he is much stronger than them . In response Antigone tells her Go thine own way myself will bury him . How sweet to die in such employ , to rest ,-- Sister and brother linked in love 's embrace-- A sinless sinner , banned awhile on earth , But by the dead commended and with them I shall abide for ever (Antigone , in these lines Antigone realizes that death is the punishment for her actions , yet she is not afraid . She imagines her death as glorious like that of a martyr dying for her...

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