Antigone Research Paper

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Pages: 5

Lauren Locke Collage Composition Kristen Barton 25 April 2024 Tragedy of Antigone Antigone is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles around 441 BCE. The play is about a young woman who defies her uncle, Creon, to give her brother, Polyneices, a proper burial. Antigone's brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, die in war, and Polyneices is considered a traitor to Thebes, so Creon, the king refuses to bury him properly. Antigone is determined to give him a proper burial because she believes that even though he betrayed them, he does not deserve to be eaten by wild animals. When Creon discovers Antigone's actions, he sentences her to be burned alive. Hamion, Antigone's fiancé and Creon's son, warns his father that the townspeople are stunned by his actions, …show more content…
The play Antigone is a classic example of a Greek tragedy and one of the first. Antigone, the protagonist, is the tragic hero of the play because she stands up for what is morally right, even though it ultimately leads to her death. Creon also makes this play a tragedy because of his hubris, which is an excessive pride that leads him to make life changing decisions that leave him standing at his entire family's demise. Antigone's stubbornness and Creon's failed attempts to correct his mistakes both are examples of tragic flaws, the most key elements in the play. Antigone is the tragic hero character in this tragedy, who bravely stands up to Creon despite the risks, and takes matters into her own hands after her brothers kill each other in war. Creon orders that Polyneices not be buried. She defies Creon's orders and decides to bury her brother's body, believing that all human beings deserve a proper burial, regardless of their actions in life. Her courageous act shows her dedication to her family. Antigone argues with Creon that his decisions do not reflect the will of the gods and that he will face consequences in the