...A conscientious objector is defined as a person standing up for what they believe to be right. A person in the real world, like Rosa Parks, or a character from a play, such as Antigone, can be conscientious objectors. Antigone and Rosa Parks both fit the description of a conscientious objector. The reason why they fit into the description is because both women had the courage to do what they thought was right. In the play Antigone by Sophocles, the character Antigone can be described as a conscientious objector. An example in the play that shows her righteousness would be when Antigone buried Polyneices, her brother, even though Creon had made a decree saying “no one shall bury him”(Sophocles 688). Creon prohibited anyone from burying Polyneices because he betrayed his people by attacking them. Polyneices’ brother, Eteocles, is considered a hero for dying for his people, so that they were protected. Since Eteocles died as a brave hero, Creon buried him “with military honors”(688) and “gave him a soldier's funeral…”(Sophocles 688). Therefore meaning that Polyneices did not receive a funeral. Antigone was filled with anger and believed that leaving Polyneices out on a field for carrion birds to...
Words: 710 - Pages: 3
...the play Antigone, Antigone is a woman who did anything to honor her deceased brother. Even though she knew the severe consequence she would face for refusing Creon's proclamation toward the burial of her brother.The theme of this is that both characters have different views with their situation causing controversy between the two.In the play Antigone,Creon is shown to be a tragic hero through his interactions with Antigone. This develops the theme of the play .By these tragic flaws such as Rude ,Serious, and Unfair. One of Creon's trait that develops the theme of the play is that Creon is ignorant. For example in the play Antigone, Creon said to in line (654)”I...
Words: 804 - Pages: 4
... March 11th, 09 English 112 Antigone: Divine Law vs. Human Law The play entitled Antigone was written by a man named Sophocles, a scholarly author of philosophy and logic. The play Antigone is probably one of the most prominent interpretations of a tragic drama. The two main characters of the play are Antigone and Creon. There is much conflict between Antigone and Creon throughout the play, both of them having their own ideas and opinions regarding divine law versus human law. The theme that I am going to analyze is the conflict of divine law vs. human law. The reason for this is because this theme seems to control the whole play. It is an issue of which law is the "right" law, and if Creon's and Antigone's acts were justifiable. The play Antigone can be summarized by the following: King Creon lets it be known that Polyneices the traitor is not to be buried, but his sister Antigone defies the order because of the values she holds. She is caught, and sentenced by Creon to be buried alive - even though she is to be married to his son Haemon. After the blind prophet Tiresias proves that the gods are on Antigone's side, Creon changes his mind - but too late. He goes first to bury Polyneices, but Antigone has already hanged herself. When Creon arrives at the tomb, Haemon attacks him and then kills himself. When the news of...
Words: 1284 - Pages: 6
...defeat.” Though Creon at points can fill the role of a tragic hero in Antigone, Antigone is the only character to truly play the part of one. Sophocles writes tragedies, which are named after the tragic hero in each specific play. As in Oedipus Rex, the piece of theatre is named after the tragic hero, Oedipus. Thus only clarifying why Sophocles named one of his plays Antigone, the title being based off of the main tragic hero role. Antigone is a more appropriate title for the play Antigone because of Antigone’s immense bravery and individuality in behalf of her late brother, creating the plot in the play due...
Words: 951 - Pages: 4
...Troubles Antigone has been caught! The brave, young sister of Ismene has been captured in the act of saving her dead brother’s soul. Creon, the King of Thebes, ordered for no one to give Polynices a burial. Antigone broke this law and stole her brother’s body. Citizens of Thebes overheard a conversation between her and her sister, Ismene. Antigone was heard asking her sister a favor. She asked, “Would you help me lift the body…you and me?” (Page 127). In reply, Ismene was heard saying, “To fight against men; our rulers are stronger are stronger than we, and we must obey in this, or in worse than this” (Page 128). It is clear that Ismene was not involved in the crime. Though, Antigone did go through with it herself. She gave him a proper burial in order to save his soul from eternal doom. Many citizens are wondering- did Antigone do the right thing? Many citizens believe Antigone did the right thing. Polynices is her brother. No one should allow their brother to spend eternity in hell. She knew that she could do something about it, so she did. In no way does Antigone deserve to die. Creon has ordered her to be put to death because she broke his law; this is very extreme! Though Creon’s law was technically broken, she did it for a very good reason. The ruling Creon had over Polynices’ body was pointless, the only reason he set this order in place was to show off his power as king. He has the ability to control everyone, so he does, even if there isn’t any apparent reason. As a...
Words: 429 - Pages: 2
...Therefore, in “Antigone”, Creon is a prominent example of what a tragic is. He is full of pride, has a stubborn sense of character, and a large amount of power. One reason Crean is seen as a tragic hero is because of all his pride. For example. Creon said,” No woman shall be master while I live.”. However, his proud is what caused him to criminalize Polyneices, even though Creon’s lust for power is the same reason that caused Polyneices and Eteocles to fight. Creon is too prideful to allow a woman to persuade him, or even realize the hypocrisy of certain situations he’s involved in. Throughout the entire story, Creon showed an...
Words: 367 - Pages: 2
...Quran Norris English 102 AC106 Mrs. Stephenson 0Antigone Paper Being a part of a family forces one to have responsibilities and duties that are needed to be fulfilled. In Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Antigone, Antigone has the responsibility of being loyal to her brother, Polynices. Her intuition and strong will discourages her from listening to the power of the state, thus disobeying part of her family, to respect her immediate family. Her devotion leads to the destruction of Creon and herself. Proving that Antigone’s role as a part of a family, does not stand in her determination to do what she believes to be right. It is for this reason that she is willing to destroy herself and Creon to fulfill her duty to both her immediate family and the Gods above. In order to understand Antigone’s actions and motivation, it is important to understand the importance of what a proper burial is to the people of ancient Greece. Unlike most religions, the Greek did not believe in the reward and punishment concept after death. They did not believe that good people went to heaven, while the evil suffered in hell. They believed that life after death was a sad and miserable affair, and the dead deserved to rest in peace. They believed in the importance of a proper burial, as proposed and supported by the gods. The gods mandated the way people lived their everyday life, and how they lived their life after death. The general belief of the people, was that those who did not get a proper burial...
Words: 2075 - Pages: 9
...to always be on top. Everyone wants it in one form or another, and they will sometimes resort to drastic measures to get it. In Antigone, power both corrupts and blinds some of the characters. The clearest example of power is by far King Creon of Thebes, who is arrogant, insensitive, and just plain cruel to the individuals around him. Another example of power, which is more of a struggle for power, is Antigone, the main character in the play. She is a young girl who rises up alone against the state power. In Sophocles great tragedy, Antigone, power is an eminent theme that fatally affects the lives of both Antigone and Creon, each with their own struggle to defy power. During the course of the play, Creon becomes so engulfed in his own power that he begins to rule with an iron fist. The central concern of the play is Antigone’s fateful struggle against Creon’s cruel edict. Creon holds absolute power in themes, which he abuses throughout the play. Creon made a decree that prohibited anyone from burying Polyneices’ body, and he was proud of it. When the decree was broken by Antigone, Creon felt a threat to his power, and therefore sentenced her to death. Creon’s son, Haimon, tried to persuade his father to take away Antigone’s death sentence, but Creon refused without saying why. Haimon replied to him with "It is not reason never to yield to reason" (sc.II.218). Teiresias warned Creon too that the gods were angry and his actions were to be blamed, but Creon rejected this as...
Words: 803 - Pages: 4
...No one truly knows the purpose of life, why there is death and suffering. The purpose of life has many meaning and is different for everyone. Good people tend to suffer more because others get jealous and use violence to end the good. In the poems, “Antigone” and, “Prometheus Bound”,and the book, “Gospel of Matthew”, express why the good people suffer and what the purpose of life really is. The poem “Antigone” shows how the good people are suffering and the purpose of life. The poem, “Antigone”, written by Sophocles is about two brothers named Eteocles and Polynices who fight to the death and orders are given for Polynices to not be buried. Polynices sister, Antigone, does not believe this is fair and goes against the orders given. Antigone...
Words: 1047 - Pages: 5
...Literary Analysis of Antigone Sandra Peppers South University Antigone is an epic Greek tragedy written, by Sophocles, around 442 B.C.E. The women of ancient Greek were considered to be less significant than were the males of the same time period. As with this tragedy, gender roles play a pivotal part in understanding why Antigone, the female heroine, did what she did and graciously accepted the punishment that she was dealt. During this particular epic, it will be evident that power, wisdom and experience lay with males, while females were subjected to the obedience and dominance of the males. The males of this era were more assertive and demanded respect from females, as well as other males. Antigone, in the play by the same name, is portrayed as a strong willed female who has strong family ties and will do whatever it takes to honor her family. Antigone is not one to stand aside and play the role of victim when, in her heart, she knows what is right. Antigone is the daughter of the late king of Thebes, Oedipus. After the death of Oedipus, Etecoles and Polyneices take turns in ruling Thebes, but ultimately die by each other’s sword. Antigone has just learned that Creon, the new king of Thebes (and her uncle), has just issued a law stating that Eteocles will have a proper burial whereas Polyneices, who was considered a traitor, will not be mourned or wept over. He will be left for the birds to feast upon; ‘ But the hapless corpse of Polyneices-as rumour saith, it...
Words: 1019 - Pages: 5
...Jeremy Martinez English 1B-24013 R. S. Guglielmino 3/17/15 “Antigone” In ancient Greek civilization, the Greeks believed that loyalty is the most influential value one could have in society. They believed that loyalty is important to family, community and the gods (Ancient Greek Values). In the play “Antigone”, Antigone’s loyalty is exemplifying one’s perseverance to clear her family’s name of slander due to the mistakes of her ancestors. When her brother, Polynices, is refused a burial after dying in war, Antigone fearlessly challenges Creon to salvage her brother’s honor knowing the consequences that will follow for defying the Ruler of Thebes. In the Greek tragedy, “Antigone”, by Sophocles, the protagonist must overcome the challenges that lie ahead in order to give the proper respect her brother deserves. When the play begins, Antigone is talking to her sister, Ismene about the death of their brothers and how they are still suffering from the curse of Oedipus. This is the first indication of the family’s sorrow and the degree to which Oedipus’s curse still exist to this day. The two sisters are the only surviving children of Oedipus and Jocasta after their two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, fought each other to the death to become King of Thebes. When they fought over this, Polynices decided to attack Thebes, making him a traitor. At the end of the war and both brothers’ deaths, Creon was the only person left to rule Thebes. Since Polynices was considered...
Words: 1514 - Pages: 7
...solves the problem. Either I’m right, or you’re right, or we’re both wrong. And we move on. That kind of conflict resolution does not exist in politics or religion” a quote by Neil de Grasse Tyson. When we have conflict we can never just work things out. We just believe we are right and the other person is wrong. When beliefs are in conflict with others it causes social injustice by how we think of others, it affects the choices we make, and also can sometimes involve someone dying. When you are in conflict with others it causes how we think of others. In the story Syrian Women Displaced by War Make...
Words: 650 - Pages: 3
...Antigone is a Greek tragic piece that stresses the use of power and morality versus the law written by Sophocles. Both Antigone and Creon, the main characters in the play, could represent the tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character who is known for being dignified and has a flaw that assists to his or her downfall. In my opinion, Creon best qualifies for being the tragic hero and fitting the definition read in the previous sentence. The things he said, did, and the comments that were made by those around him show how a man with everything could lose it all due to his own behavior. To open, the things he said showed how he changed and became the tragic hero of the play. Many of his statements reveal his personality including his admirable parts and his flaws. When Creon says: "I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly," (Sophocles, scene 1,24-26), it shows his strong sense of nationalism and leadership which catches up with him in the end. "The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their necks at the pull of the smallest curb" (scene 2,76-79) is what Creon says to Antigone after finding out she is the one who buried Polynieces. He thinks that if Antigone wasn't so headstrong and arrogant then she could have avoided the consequence he was about to give her. I think Creon was being a hypocrite because he is just as stubborn as she is. The reason why Creon...
Words: 737 - Pages: 3
...Indranie Sharma QMHS Antigone by Sophocles 7/3/14 In this story the theme loyalty is portrayed through Antigone when she defies her uncle to bury her brother Polynices. Apparently Antigone couldn't bear for one brother to be buried with honor and the other left to rot in the sun. Since she felt that it was her duty to give Polynices a burial because he was her brother and was deceived by Eteocles when it was his turn to rule the kingdom. Unfortunately Antigone was caught and she believed that her Uncle Creon's order was an act of betrayal to their family. 7/7/14 The setting of the play takes place in Thebes which is located in Ancient Greece. The setting is important because in Ancient Greece two rulers were allowed to rule a kingdom. Also wars took place between family members on who had the right to rule. Apparently this was the reason on why Eteocles and Polynices fought and killed each other in battle. This leads to influence Antigone's decision and have a major impact on her life as well because of the ruling from Creon. 7/8/14...
Words: 2493 - Pages: 10
...Princess May-ann Margaret Uy Enemy of the People is about a small town on the southern coast of Norway and how it perceives and accepts truth. The town is governed by Peter Stockmann and doctored by his younger brother, Thomas. The main conflict flares up between these two siblings and then spreads throughout the town as they both try to do best by the community. Dr. Thomas Stockmann is a public-minded doctor in a small town famous for its public baths. He discovers that the water supply for the baths is contaminated and has probably been the cause of some illness among the tourists who are the town's economic lifeblood. In his effort to clean up the water supply, Dr. Stockmann runs into political cowards, sold-out journalists, shortsighted armchair economists, and a benighted Citizenry. His own principled idealism exacerbates the conflict. The well-meaning doctor is publicly labeled an enemy of the people, and he and his family are all but driven out of the town he was trying to save. This is an early dramatization of something we know better a century later: the difficulty of translating medical scientific knowledge into political action. Ibsen's well-intentioned blustery doctor heroically fails. This is partly because the local democratic processes are quite cynical (powerful people prevent him from getting his information to the citizens). Dr. Stockmann also suffers from a professional blindness that keeps him from understanding how anyone could possibly disagree that...
Words: 1812 - Pages: 8
