Antigone uses the reasons of loyalty to family, obedience to the gods, and respect for the dead in her opening scene with her sister Ismene. She believes that it's crystal clear how one leads one's life. For example, she owes her life to her parents, whom she will join in death. In fact, her earthly time with her parents is nothing in comparison to the lengthy existence that she will share with them in the underworld realm of the afterlife. Therefore, it's important for her to respect her family and her gods as much above ground and below. That means seeing to it that god given and guaranteed traditions are respected no matter what mortals say or do to the contrary.
The statement by each sister that the consequences will be death is the way in which Antigone's fate is foreshadowed during her opening scene with Ismene in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.)Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene tries to talk her sister Antigone out of burying their brother Polyneices in volation of King Creon's edict of non-burial. She mentions that the consequence of breaking Creon's law is a death even more miserable and painful than that of their parents, disgraced Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta. Antigone makes about the same kind of prediction when she says that the consequences of her civil disobedience will be no more than an ignoble death.
Creon's non-burial edict is the royal decree revealed by Antigone to Ismene in the opening scene of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone already knows about her uncle King Creon's edict denying god-given rights of below-ground burials and proper funeral rights to perceived enemies such as Polyneices. Perhaps she has this advance knowledge because she is the betrothed of Prince Haemon, Creon's only remaining child and heir apparent. At any rate, she decides to share with her sister, Princess Ismene, whom she intend to ask for help in burying their brother Polyneices.
That she is going to deliberately disobey a royal edict that carries a death sentence is what Antigone tells Ismene that she will do in the opening scene of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon issues an edict against the proper, Theban-style mourning and burying of the disloyal dead. With that edict, he justifies burying his loyal nephew Eteocles and not burying his disloyal nephew Polyneices. But Creon's niece, Theban Princess Antigone, plans to disobey the non-burial law and give her brother Polyneices the same respect in death as her brother Eteocles.
Antigone. Sentry sees Antigone bury her brother, Polyneices, and is appalled. He takes her to Creon who says that is Antigone is involved in this crime, her sister, Ismene must be following too!
loyalty: "sister do not scorn me; let me share your death and the holy homage to the dead." (Ismene, scene 2) -EVEN THOUGH ISMENE DIDNT WANT TO BE PART OF ANTIGONE'S PLAN TO BURY THEIR BROTHER IN THE FIRST PLACE, SHE HAS CHOSEN TO REMAIN LOYAL TO HER SISTER; SHE WANTS TO DIE ALONGSIDE ANTIGONE.
The statement by each sister that the consequences will be death is the way in which Antigone's fate is foreshadowed during her opening scene with Ismene in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.)Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene tries to talk her sister Antigone out of burying their brother Polyneices in volation of King Creon's edict of non-burial. She mentions that the consequence of breaking Creon's law is a death even more miserable and painful than that of their parents, disgraced Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta. Antigone makes about the same kind of prediction when she says that the consequences of her civil disobedience will be no more than an ignoble death.
Creon's non-burial edict is the royal decree revealed by Antigone to Ismene in the opening scene of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone already knows about her uncle King Creon's edict denying god-given rights of below-ground burials and proper funeral rights to perceived enemies such as Polyneices. Perhaps she has this advance knowledge because she is the betrothed of Prince Haemon, Creon's only remaining child and heir apparent. At any rate, she decides to share with her sister, Princess Ismene, whom she intend to ask for help in burying their brother Polyneices.
That she is going to deliberately disobey a royal edict that carries a death sentence is what Antigone tells Ismene that she will do in the opening scene of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon issues an edict against the proper, Theban-style mourning and burying of the disloyal dead. With that edict, he justifies burying his loyal nephew Eteocles and not burying his disloyal nephew Polyneices. But Creon's niece, Theban Princess Antigone, plans to disobey the non-burial law and give her brother Polyneices the same respect in death as her brother Eteocles.
Antigone. Sentry sees Antigone bury her brother, Polyneices, and is appalled. He takes her to Creon who says that is Antigone is involved in this crime, her sister, Ismene must be following too!
There are two speeches that Ismene makes in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene first appears in the opening scene with her sister, Princess Antigone. She explains what she perceives as the subordinate, obedient follower role of women to men who make all decisions and take first place in all matters personal and professional, private and public. She identifies the king as the most immediate and powerful authority figure in her survivalist life.But in her second speech at Antigone's trial and sentencing, Ismene modifies her previous convictions. She pleads for the love that exists between a man and a woman. She urges its pre-eminent consideration in daily decisions and in life and death matters.
loyalty: "sister do not scorn me; let me share your death and the holy homage to the dead." (Ismene, scene 2) -EVEN THOUGH ISMENE DIDNT WANT TO BE PART OF ANTIGONE'S PLAN TO BURY THEIR BROTHER IN THE FIRST PLACE, SHE HAS CHOSEN TO REMAIN LOYAL TO HER SISTER; SHE WANTS TO DIE ALONGSIDE ANTIGONE.
That Antigone is the lawbreaker is the reason why Creon is upset at the opening of scene 2 in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the sentinel discovers who is burying and reburying the exposed body of Polyneices. He leads the perpetrator to the royal palace. Theban King Creon sees that the perpetrator is Princess Antigone, his niece and intended daughter-in-law.
It is in the opening scene that Antigone expresses her intention to give her brother burial without fear of dying in the attempt in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the play begins with the meeting of the sister Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene. Antigone discusses the edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. She makes the decision that she will break the law and bury her brother even though the violation carries the death penalty.
It is the relationship of niece to uncle that is revealed in the scene between Antigone and Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon calls Princess Antigone his closest living blood relative. He describes her as his sister's child. But it is not until Ismene, Antigone's sister and Creon's niece, shows up that Antigone also is identified as Creon's intended daughter-in-law engaged to his only surviving son and heir apparent, Prince Haemon.
The blind prophet Teiresias might be an effective character around which an additional scene could be organized in the play 'Antigone'. He could acquaint readers and viewers of the play with the experiences of Antigone, her cousin and fiance Haimon, and her aunt Theban Queen Eurydice in the underworld realms of the dead. He also could give some insight on the fate of Antigone's sister Ismene and on the specific woes of her uncle, the dethroned Theban King Creon.
Do we owe owe greatest allegiance to the gods or to the state.
The introduction of the main character and the main problem is the significance of the opening scene in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the dramatic ideal in ancient Greek literature is the solving of a problem that involves the main character and that is presented in one place within a 24-hour period. The opening scene introduces Theban Princess Antigone as the main character. It also informs the audience of the problem of which law to obey when divine and royal wills conflict and contradict each other.