Archetypes In Antigone

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{The ancient Greek people made many contributions to our society, from science to mathematics all the way to our current literature and entertainment industry.} Greek people created character archetypes which we are now familiar with, like a strong heroine or an evil villain. These two character archetypes are highlighted throughout the story of Antigone. Throughout this story Antigone, the protagonist, and Creon, the antagonist, fight against each other in order to accomplish their goals. Antigone’s goal is to give her brother Polyneices a proper burial, while Creon’s goal is to punish people who stand in the way of his kingship and laws. Throughout this essay we will highlight these two characters qualities along with comparing and contrasting …show more content…
Antigone’s main goal throughout the story is to bury her brother Polyneices. She wants to bury her brother, even though it is against a law which Creon made. Antigone is a very strong heroine in how she goes against civil law in order to honor a family member. Throughout the story Antigone values divine authority more than human authority, and she will stay loyal to her family over staying loyal to the state. Antigone believes that it is her duty to bury her brother, Polyneices, and to give him an honorable death. This is seen clearly in what Antigone says during the prologue of the story, “But I know I’ll please the one’s I’m duty bound to please,” (Sophocles 4). This unbreakable fearlessness and sense of duty in Antigone contribute to her strong female character that breaks the molds of her time, a time where women were viewed as inferior to men. For example, even when Antigone is faced with death by Creon’s hand she stands firm saying, “Take me and kill me ­ what more do you want?” (Sophocles 18). Antigone believes that the bonds and loyalty between family members and to the gods will always be more powerful, and important, than staying loyal to …show more content…
These two characters are different in a number of ways, for example while Antigone respects the gods Creon is disrespectful to them even telling Zeus what he should be doing. Antigone shows that she values the god’s laws over those of man when she says, “I did not think anything which you proclaimed strong enough to let a mortal override the gods and their unwritten and unchanging laws,” (Sophocles 16). Creon on the other hand believes that he is the most mighty person and he has control over everyone saying that they need to listen to him since he is the king. Antigone also values family more than Creon does, and this is seen by her motivation throughout the story of wanting to bury her brother Polyneices. Creon does not value family as is seen by how he treats his son, Haemon, when he tries to give advice to his father. When Haemon does this Creon angrily loses his temper at Haemon saying he is “worse than any woman”. While Antigone and Creon are different in many ways, they are similar in their resolve to accomplish their goals. Antigone goes as far as getting sentenced to death in order to give her brother a proper burial. Creon shows his resolve to kill Antigone when he says, “I won’t encourage you or cheer you up, by saying the sentence won’t be carried out,” (Sophocles
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