Antigone Research Paper

Words: 1166
Pages: 5

Moral Imperative to Family Duty in the Antigone In Sophocles' play "Antigone," we see the protagonist, Antigone, struggle with family duty, which emerges as a strong moral imperative that influences her actions. Throughout the play, Antigone struggles between her commitment to her family and the requests of societal and political authority. This altercation between familial and civic responsibilities is central to the moral landscape of the play. Shaping Antigone's decision-making leads to her clash with her uncle, King Creon, who makes morally questionable decisions. This essay will examine how the play highlights the importance of family duty, shedding light on the ancient conflict between morality and those in places of authority. The Antigone, …show more content…
Antigone has a concrete loyalty to her blood, and in Ancient Greece, it was common to stay close to one's family and not many others. Antigone was defined as her family and wanted to do what felt suitable as a sister of Polynices. Having a proper burial is needed for a pleasurable afterlife, and Antigone knew this; she did not want her brother to have to struggle. As explained, Antigone feels a solid connection to her family and familial duties, which causes her to experience a moral conflict. Her two brothers have now died, her sister is against her giving Polyneices a burial, and her uncle forbade a burial for Polynices. Antigone felt she had a broken family and was the only one willing to take the right moral action. She is committed to honoring her brother, no matter his cause of death. While she understands that his death was due to his battle against his uncle and brother, she holds value in honoring her brother's life no matter the cause. She has the individual duty to be a good sister and treat her brother in an honorable fashion throughout his death due to her faith in her family. Antigone feels obliged to her brother Polyneices. It is her duty to take care of and