An Analytical essay on Antigone

Essay by karl987654321High School, 11th gradeA+, March 2009

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In Antigone, by Sophocles, King Oedipus of Thebes has fatefully killed his father and slept with his mother causing her to commit suicide and him to lose his kingship. Oedipus later died, leaving his four children also with very dishonorable fates. His two sons are fated to kill each other and leave Antigone and Ismene as the last of the once noble family. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, gives one brother a proper burial, and decrees that the other brother must be left to rot, and death is the punishment for anyone who disobeys. This upsets Antigone so much that she goes against Creon's law and buries her brother. Creon follows through with his proclaimed punishment and exiles Antigone to a remote cave with some enough food to live. Antigone has been wanting to die and hangs herself immediately. Although Polyneices' dishonored death disgusts Antigone, it is actually an advantage for herself.

Creon's unjust decree causes great advantage for Antigone. How does Creon's decree cause great advantage for Antigone? Because of Creon's decree, Antigone can now leave her life that was fated with suffering. Antigone can now be honored by the polis. Antigone can now achieve an honorable afterlife.

Creon's decree causes Antigone to leave her life that was fated with suffering. Ever since her parents' fateful lives were found out, Antigone has been extremely depressed, because she will no longer be able to get married, nurture children, or have any friends. Antigone despairs over these issues a countless number of times, showing how lonely and miserable she is. She says, "If I shall die before my time, I count that as a profit."1 Therefore, Creon's decree is an advantage for Antigone because she can now bury her brother and get killed, thus ending...