Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Antigone Theme Essay - 941 Words

In the story Antigone by Sophocles, the theme guilt and innocence, as wells as morals play a huge role between characters, specifically the female character Antigone, the ruler of the city, Creon, Antigone’s sister, Ismene, and Antigone’s husband, Haimon. Antigone and Haimon represent innocence for many reasons. Their morals lead the two in a direction to honor Antigone’s brother, Antigone protects her sister from certain death, and the lovers commits suicide for the sake of innocence itself. Creon on the other hand represent guilt by his unjust laws of his city, his unruly dictatorship, and putting the blame on everyone but himself for his own actions. Ismene is also guilty in the story by not standing with her sister at the beginning to†¦show more content†¦Leading to Creon’s realization to his guilt. Creon represents guilt by his unjust laws of the land and forcing the people of the city to abide by them. As he forbids anyone to mourn a past king, he strike fear into the people and causes mistrust against himself. As Haimon, the son of Creon explains to his father, â€Å" You are not in a position to know everything / That people say or do, or what they feel: / Your temper terrifies-† (Scene III: 57-59), Creon is in disbelief. Creon has obtained a sense of dictatorship ever since Oedipus has died. He had seen the way Oedipus had ruled over the city and deemed it reasonable to have one opinion in the city alone, his own. Creon proclaims his â€Å"just and unjust† ways with the city, â€Å" I have no dealings, / Whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed- / Just and unjust!† (Scene III: 33-37). Blame is the final reasoning for his guiltiness is the story. He will always claim he is right and will never take blame for his own laws. Haimon has confronted Creon about his blame, â€Å" Do not believe that you alone can be right. / The man who thinks that, / The man who maintains that only he has the power† (Scene III: 74-76). As soon as Creon realizes that none is to blame, only himself, he admits to his dead son, â€Å" My own blind heart has brought me / From darkness, to final darkness. / I was a fool, not you; and you died for me.† (Exodus: 87-92) and once more, likeShow MoreRelatedAntigone : Human Law Vs. Divine Law1418 Words   |  6 PagesLauren Wolfson Professor Neil Scharnick THR 3270 History of Classical Theatre 30 November 2016 Antigone: Human Law vs. Divine Law The most prominent theme in â€Å"Antigone† by Sophocles is the conflict of divine law vs. human law; it is the driving force behind the entire play. It is an issue of which law is the right law, and if Creon s and Antigone s acts were justifiable. 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