LRJ #2: Antigone

Annie Moua
10 IB Prep 5th Hour
Ms. Peifer
26 Nov. 2008

Sophocles uses imagery of the corpse of Polyneices repeatedly in Antigone. "He’s to have no funeral or lament,/but to be left unburied and unwept,/a sweet treasure for the birds to look at,/for them to feed on to their heart’s content/" (Sophocles 34-37). The imagery can be seen as a representation of honor and respect. The concept of scavenging birds and dogs feasting on Polyneices, disturbed Antigone deeply. She was highly against leaving the Polyneices without a proper burial. "He’ll be left unburied,/his body there for birds and dogs to eat,/a clear reminder of his shameful fate" (Sophocles 234-236). In contrast, Creon believed Polyneices deserved to be feasted by birds and dogs. The imagery of the corpse is important, because it is basically the controversy if Polyneices should be left in the plains for birds and dogs to eat his body or give him a formal burial.

The fatal flaw of Creon starts to unravel with his conversation with the prophet, Teiresias. "You know you’re speaking of the man who rules you" (Sophocles 1184). At that point, the reader can come to a conclusion that Creon has been thinking of himself as someone superior to everyone else with a very arrogant opinion. "You can be sure/you won’t change my mind to make yourself more rich" ( Sophocles 1190). Creon, being stubborn argues with Teiresias, even though he knows Teiresias has never been wrong before. By not listening to Teiresias' words more carefully, his own actions creates a chain of tradegy.

The anagnorisis in Antigone appears after Creon talks to Teiresias. "Alas—it’s difficult. But I’ll give up./I’ll not do what I’d set my heart upon./It’s not right to fight against necessity" (Sophocles 1236-1238). Creon realizes he misunderstood the situation and accepts the fact that he had made a mistake. He can't fight against fate, because of what Teiresias about "a corpse in payment for these corpses" (Sophocles 1195).

Peripeteia resulted in the downfall of Creon. Creon reached Antigone too late and she hung herself. Haimon stabbed himself and he died. When the news reached the queen, Eurydice, she committed suicide too. "I’ve just held/my own son in my arms, and now I see/right here in front of me another corpse./Alas for this suffering mother" (Sophocles 1440-1443). Creon's mistakes led him to lose everyone he had. The whole situation turned around and everything went wrong unexpectedly.

Catharsis, the emotions of pity or fear from the audience, appeared at the very end. As Creon's last line, he said "i killed you, my son, without intending to,/and you, as well, my wife. How useless I am now./I don’t know where to look or find support./Everything I touch goes wrong, and on my head/fate climbs up with its overwhelming load" (Sophocles 1340-1344). The audience can feel pity and sympathy for Creon. He lost all his love ones because of his own careless actions. He finally realize his life worth nothing now with no support.

In Antigone, women are characterized as feeble people, but also people with great loyalty and compassion. "We must remember that by birth we’re women,/and, as such, we shouldn’t fight with men" (Sophocles 62-63). In the Thebes society, women are in a lower class than the men. Ismene believes they are only women and they don't have power equal to men. However, Antigone contradicts this idea that women have no power. Antigone stood up for a proper burial for her brother although it went against the law. Loyalty and compassion is shown from her actions to go against the words of Creon and rightfully buried Polyneices. She knew her punishment was death, but she still continued her task.



Works Cited:
Sophocles. “Antigone.” Sophocles Antigone. Trans. Ian Johnston. 9 Aug. 2008. Vancouver Island University Malaspira. 24 Nov. 2008 <http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/index.htm>.