Antigone Essay Research Paper ANTIGONEComplex character and

Antigone Essay, Research Paper

ANTIGONE

Complex character and the conflicts they face are the foundation for the plot of any story. In the classic Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles, strong characters exist who face both internal and external struggles. The title character Antigone, and Creon, The king of Thebes are pitted against one another in a war of wills that has for effects, both for them self s and the other character in the play. Because Creon, the king of Thebes, possesses a trait of being self-conceit and arrogant he comes into conflict with Antigone, the title of the story, that causes a whole lot of controversial conflicts.

For example Creon, the king of all Thebes, has the trait of arrogance that causes his decisions do be bad ones. Like when Creon says, I should have praise and honor for what I have done This quote comes right after he sentences Antigone to death(767). This show that he does not care what his public thinks all he thinks about is what his moral conscience thinks. This is a very good example of self-conceit because he out right says he knows what he is doing is right. Another example is when Creon says What ever you say, you will not change my will this is at the part were Haimon and Creon are exchanging words about what they think(784). The words that just came out of Creon s mouth shows that no matter what any one says he know that he is right, and he will not change his decision on any terms. This supports his trait because it shows how coincided he is. Another example is when he says Whoever is chosen to govern must be obeyed in all things great and small just and unjust (771). Creon says this when he is first introduced talking about the death of Polyneices and Eteocles. This is another good example because he just straight out tells his people that no matter what he does they must appreciate him whether small or big, and not doubt his judgment whether its wrong or right. This shows how arrogant he is of him self because of the words he uses in his statement.

The conflict between Antigone and Creon is present throughout the whole story because there are many supporting dialogues that shows that there is some sort of conflict

going on between them. For example when Antigone says, Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way this is when Antigone is talking to Ismene about her plan to bury Polyneices(750). This plot is a major conflict with Creon because he said clearly that Polyneices is a traitor, and does not deserve to be buried with military honor. In addition, Creon mentions that his penalty for anyone defying his laws is death so this puts Antigone in great conflict with Creon because she has fate on the line. Another example is when he is arguing with Antigone and says The girl is guilty of double insolence, breaking the great laws and boasting of it, definitely by the words Creon says here Creon shows that he has no lenience for Antigone (764). His arrogance again takes over causing conflict because Antigone is again against his decision. Another example of Antigone and Creon s conflict is when he has finally mad up his mind about her punishment. He says take her to the vault and leave her alone there if she lives or dies that s her affair, not ours: our hands are clean when he says this he is again putting words in his own head so he feels as if he has nothing to do with it because the gods chose her fate(778). This causes more conflict because of course Antigone knows that the outcome of all this will probably be her death, but this time instead of arguing she goes into a sad state.

Because Creon, the king of Thebes, possesses a trait of being self-conceit and arrogant he comes into conflict with Antigone, the title of the story, that causes a whole lot of controversial conflicts. Antigone and Creon s conflict ends up causing Antigone to hang her self also causing a series of deaths that finally causes Creon to realize that he is wrong and that the traits he possesses lead to all these deaths.