Antigone

Whether he is angry over Antigone's death sentence and if he questions royal authority are what Creon asks Haemon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon gives the death sentence to Antigone, his niece and intended daughter-in-law, for disobeying his non-burial law against the disloyal dead in the recent civil war over royal succession. Creon wants to make sure that his only surviving child understands decision-making in Thebes. To Creon's way of thinking, a king rules alone, and what he says must be done without any attempt at a contrary act or opinion by his family and his people.

For the security of his city, people and rule Theban King Creon forbids the burial of his nephew and Polyneices in the play "Antigone" by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the King is a law-and-order ruler who brooks no opposition. He tolerates only devoted obedience to him and his decrees. Additionally, Creon considers a dead enemy still an enemy, be that enemy one of his own people or even one of his own family. According to the King, the enmities and hatreds of a lifetime do not end with death. In fact, they carry over and demand continued differential treatment and continued severe punishment.

Antagonistic is Antigone's attitude toward Creon's decree in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone has a negative attitude toward her uncle King Creon's edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. She is a believer in the old ways of cherished traditions, divine will and family ties. She opposes denying to enemies and granting to supporters god-given rights of all Thebans to below ground burials.

Devoted to her brother and obedient to divine laws is how Antigone feels about her brother and divine laws in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone devotes herself to her family. She particularly is devoted to the most vulnerable members of her family: her disgraced father, King Oedipus, and her disgraced brother, Prince Polyneices. She manifests equally devoted obedience to her gods and her city's cherished traditions.

That she numbers among the play's cast of characters and that her life comes to an unfortunate end is the reason why Antigone can be considered a tragic character in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Antigone is a main character who influences and is affected by the interactions among the other main characters. Great changes can be expected of her as Princess of Thebes, and yet her life is cut short, suddenly and cruelly. What she does therefore defines her as a main character and what happens to her therefore defines Antigone as tragic.

Ultimately is the gods that Antigone blames for her fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone does not seem to realize how abrasive and uncontrolled she can be. She seems to think that having correct convictions entitle her to express them in any disrespectful way that she wants to. Her last words validate this stance since she observes that she is dying precisely because she defends divine will and the gods over royal law and rulers.

It is to discourage future rebellion and violence that Creon says that the new law is in effect in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon introduces his new royal edict. He issues it in order to deny to the disloyal Theban dead their god-given rights as Thebans to below ground burials. He says that the law will discourage future challenges to Theban government and security.

That this is not the way for women to behave and that the consequences are fatal are the reasons why Ismene begs her sister to obey Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene believes that men dominate and lead whereas women follow and obey. She also believes that burying Polyneices and defying her uncle King Creon are impossible tasks that therefore must not be attempted. Additionally, she cautions that the punishment of civil disobedience is death and that Creon will execute her humiliatingly and painfully.

Ismene is not betrothed to anyone in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, little information is given about Theban Princess Ismene. No mention is made of her circumstances or of her fate. The audience just knows that King Creon believes in Ismene's innocence and does not punish her for Antigone's crime of burying Polyneices in violation of a royal edict to the contrary.

Many of the stories from ancient Greece have variant versions. Such is the case with the little known Ismene. According to some versions, Ismene accompanies Antigone and Oedipus when the latter is exiled for killing his father, marrying his mother, and fathering children of whom he is also the half-brother. According to others, Ismene is killed before her brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other during the civil war over the Theban royal succession.

That they support her but are afraid is what Antigone says about the people of Thebes and what they think about the situation in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone buries her brother Polyneices. This is in compliance with divine will and Theban traditions but in contradiction of her uncle King Creon's illegal edict of non-burial. Antigone says that Theban support her in word and deed and oppose Creon but are too afraid to show their opposition.

It is during his conversation with his father that Haemon says that wise men still can learn in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Prince Haemon meets with his father, King Creon. He notes that mortal decisions and deeds need not be carved in stone. He observes that wise men consider the opinions of others and the consequences of their actions.

That they are his supporters is the way the Creon feels about the elders in Thebes in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the chorus draws its membership from the most accomplished, respected and senior of Theban citizens. It therefore is there to be supportive to Thebes' ruler, the current king. Theban King Creon notices and appreciates the chorus' support.

Whether or not to bury in terms of Antigone and whether or not to arrest her in terms of the guards are the conflicts in the scene in which Antigone finds her brother not buried in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.D. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone must decide whether or not to rebury the body of her brother Polyneices. The guards must decide whether or not to let Antigone get away with burying the body. Then they must decide whether or not to capture her or let her go and brave King Creon's wrath.

Entertainment and explanation are the purposes of the choral ode.

Specifically, an ode is a poem characterized by complex stanzas and lyrical expression. A choral is sung by a chorus. The chorus in ancient Greek theater functions to entertain the audience and to explain onstage action and offstage events and references.

Antigone's extreme disrespect to Creon is the hamartia or mistake in judgment committed by a tragic hero in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone is contradictory, demeaning and insulting in her verbal interactions with King Creon. She owes him respect as her guardian, her relative and her sovereign. But she shows him no respect at all and therefore loses any chance at a lighter sentence if not a pardon for breaking his edict against burial of the disloyal Theban dead.

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.