Antigone

Antigone

Sophocles wrote the first play about an intrepid heroine in Antigone. In the opening of the play, Antigone risked her life to give her brother, Polyneices, the burial he deserved. To fulfill her goal she had to confront her uncle and monarch Creon, who refused to bury a traitor. Creon warned the public that “no man is to touch him or say the least prayer” for Polyneices or they would be punished. Antigone refused to yield to Creon’s demands and followed her instincts. Antigone made up her mind to “bury him; and if I must die, I say this crime is holly.” She did not let an unjust ruler stopper her brother from receiving reverence. Antigone’s act of heroism was shown through her bravery, strength, and eventually the punishment that Creon received.
Antigone’s gallantry portrayed Creon as a selfish coward. She would not let her gender suppress her from confronting her challenges. Antigone asked her sister Ismene to assist with Polyneices’ burial, but she begged her not to go because it is in violation of Creon’s decree. Ismene refused to help due to her belief that women should always follow whatever men want to do because women are powerless to stop them. On the other hand, Antigone would not let Creon “stand in my way.” Antigone resented Ismene for feeling inferior to a man. Creon arrests Antigone because she went against his wishes. When the sentry dusts off the dead body of Polyneices, Antigone becomes enraged and runs forward quickly to protect it from being disturbed by anyone. She acts as if she is a mother and the dead body of her brother is her child. The sentry recognized Antigone’s valor and discussed with Creon about a “mother bird who came back to a stripped nest” which is a metaphor for Antigone’s courage. The sentry acknowledged that Antigone was brave enough to rebel against the authority and bury her brother. Sophocles depicted Antigone as a woman that does not fear anything in life.

Antigone emasculated every man...