In the play Apology by Plato, the protagonist Socrates delineates the responsibilities and obligations of man in relation to the State. This same perspective is found in Sophocles" play Antigone where Antigone, the protagonist, goes against the State due to the moral obligation she has by the Gods to her family. This perspective of standing your ground when in the face of adversity led to the death of both Socrates and Antigone. However, by upholding their point of view, both Antigone and Socrates form a relation with each other that can be further examined.
The opinions of Socrates in Apology can be easily applied to the conflicts and opinions in Antigone by Sophocles. Creon's actions are both supported and contested by the views of Socrates. Creon felt that he was acting justly by accusing Antigone. He believed that he was upholding the law and structure of the people by accusing Antigone. Creon viewed Polynices as a traitor. He viewed honoring a traitor as going against the State and the people in it. When Sentinel comes and tells Creon of the burial of Polynices, Creon acts accordingly. He treats it as a crime against the state, which is just. Creon questions Sentinel by asking " do you see Gods honouring the bad?" (Sophocles,12). This viewpoint is supported by Socrates. Socrates felt that the only question of concern when acting was whether or not the action is just. In this case, Creon's actions were partly just. This is because it is true that Antigone broke the law. This is the only viewpoint in which Socrates would have condemned Antigone.
Just as there is a supporting view, there is also an opposing viewpoint that Socrates would have in relation to Creon's actions. Socrates believed that putting an innocent man (or in this case woman) to death was far worse than dying oneself. This is seen in his speech where he states, "I speak because I am convinced that I never intentionally wronged anyone," (Plato, 37).
This type of conflict is shown in Antigone an helps present the character traits of the antagonist, Antigone. ... Antigone was also very strong minded. ... Antigone was also very strong willed. ... Antigone chooses to defy this law. ... Antigone believes that Ismene is a coward while Ismene believes that Antigone is foolish. ...
Antigone stands poised at the river separating herself from civil disobedience. ... Antigone's unrepressed emotions give voice to her dissatisfaction with Creon's dictum. ... Antigone's morals render her unable to see her tragic flaw. ... Antigone impels Creon by defying his order, and seals the fate of her life. ... Antigone's convictions bear a burden on her that she is not strong enough to lift. ...
In the play, "Antigone," the main character Antigone goes against all authority in an effort to give her brother, Polynices, a proper burial. ... Antigone has no respect for authority. ... Antigone also claims, "What Creon says is quite irrelevant" ( ln 4). Thus, Antigone does not respect government or Creon as a sovereign. ... "We can't live by Antigone's alone, but if we have no Antigones within us we are spiritually barren" (Cornell). ...
Later in the act, the Sentry enters again, this time with Antigone. ... Creon asks Antigone if this is true. ... Creon aims to justify his decision to let Antigone's dead brother rot. He also wishes to validate his choice to punish Antigone. ... I believe Antigone's act was morally correct. ...
Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic. ... This is between Antigone and Polyneices. ... Antigone doesn't mind doing anything on her own. ... Antigone has no problem working by her self either. ... I think Creon feels he must defeat Antigone because she is a woman. ...
In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone is the tragic hero of the play, rather than Creon. ... Sophocles wants us to see Antigone as the tragic figure. ... He can either kill Antigone, or spare her life. ... Antigone is in a different position. ... Antigone chooses wisely in defying the law. ...
However, in the play Antigone, Antigone goes against the beliefs and defies the powerful tradition of male domination. In the play, Antigone's life was filled with pain and sorrow. ... Even after all of this, Antigone had even more pain to deal with. ... Antigone didn't fear death, but instead faced it with great bravery and strength. ... That is why Antigone is such an influential character in the play. ...
The Antigone Essay Through "Antigone", the play, Sophocles lets it be known that family is more important than authority. ... Antigone felt awful that Creon was doing such a wrong thing. ... Antigone took a moral stand and buried Polyneices. ... Antigone was Haemon's true love. Haemon committed suicide once he lost Antigone. ...
Antigone is not from a normal family. Her family feels very strong in what they believe in. Especially Antigone and Creon. Antigone did things that other people wouldn't normally do. Some people wouldn't defy authority to do what they believe is right. Creon did things that people wouldn't do. I thi...
Bigger than her body Antigone was right, yet so was Creon. ... However Antigone defied the king. ... The gods sided with Antigone. ... Creon is protagonist against Antigone, who is the antagonist; at the same time, Antigone is the protagonist with Creon as her antagonist. Antigone's actions were justified by divine law. ...
