Discussion Topic

Antigone's character development throughout the play

Summary:

Antigone's character development in the play showcases her transformation from a determined and defiant individual to a tragic hero. Initially, she is resolute in her decision to bury her brother despite the king's edict. As the play progresses, her unwavering commitment to familial duty and divine law reveals her profound moral strength, ultimately leading to her tragic demise.

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How has Antigone changed since scene 1 in Sophocles' play Antigone?

In Sophocles' Antigone, Antigone and Ismene's brothers (sons of Oedipus) have died fighting each other, but while Eteocles fought for Thebes, Polyneices fought against Thebes, for Argos. Creon (Oedipus' brother-in-law, and Antigone and Ismene's uncle) gives Eteocles an honorable burial, but refuses to do so for Polyneices because he fought...

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for the enemy. Creon also declares that no one else is allowed to bury Polyneices, and if anyone tries, he will be killed. Antigone meets secretly with Ismene to discuss burying their brother anyway, but Ismene dares not defy the King. Antigone believes she owes it not only to her brother, but that the gods have required, in the old laws, that the burial must be carried out.

By the time Antigone appears the second time, she is openly defiant of trying twice to bury her brother. She tells Creon that she owes more allegiance to the gods than to him. She is prepared to die. Ismene tries to take some of the blame as well, but Antigone will not allow it. If Ismene did not take part in the act, she feels she should not be punished for what she did not do. She is prepared to die and tells Creon not to waste time talking, since she cares nothing for what he has to say.

We see Antigone in scene one where she discusses her plans with her sister. In scene two, Creon receives the report from the Guard that someone has tried to bury Polyneices. When scene three begins, Creon asks Antigone if she is responsible for trying to bury her brother, she admits that she is, and Ismene tries to take the blame as well.

The only change I see is that where Antigone wanted Ismene's help to bury and honor their brother in the first scene, by the third scene she will not allow Ismene to take the blame for something she did not do, and decides that since Antigone has already felt dead inside for some time (losing father and mother, and now both brothers), she is ready to die.

Additional Source:

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Has Antigone's character changed as she faces her death compared to previous scenes?

Antigone remains constant in her belief that she has done the right thing by giving her brother Polyneices a proper burial. She upholds the laws of the gods above the laws of man and the will of her uncle, Creon, the new king of Thebes. She faces her sentence to be locked away with dignity, though she does express sorrow at her plight because she believes that she has done nothing wrong.

And yet, as men’s hearts know, I have done no wrong, I have not sinned before God. Or if I have, I shall know the truth in death. But if the guilt Lies upon Creon who judged me, then, I pray, May his punishment equal my own.

Antigone believes that she has not went against the gods, but if she has, she will know in death. She believes that Creon is the one who is guilty and prays that he is punished equally for his role in what has happened.

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Has Antigone's character changed as she faces her death compared to previous scenes?

Antigone is obviously frightened but she is just as inflexible as her Uncle Creon. That is one of the tragedies of the play. Both Creon and Antigone believe they are correct. Antigone is obeying the gods and Creon believes the needs of the state are above the needs of the gods. So Antigone goes into the cave just as convinced that she is correct as when she decided to bury her brother. Unfortunately, she doesn't wait for the gods to work for her, but commits suicide soon after entering the cave. Once Creon finally admits his hubris ( pride ), it is too late for Antigone and too late for Eurydice and Haemon who cannot deal with Antigone's death.
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