Hubris in Antigone Essay

Antigone

Sophocles play Antigone demonstrates how the fate of the main characters illustrates the danger of [hubris] excessive pride. The play dramatizes the last stages of the troubles of the family of Oedipus. InAntigoneSophocles introduces new sufferings for the survivors of the conflict through the process of Greek tragedy, which consists of Creon transforming from the proud lord of Thebes to a defeated, grief-stricken mortal. Antigonehas often been regarded as a play of philosophical conflict where one kind of right is opposed to another, where divine and human law come into conflict and the rights of the individual are opposed to the rights of the state (Burke).

The play takes up the story of theSeven against Thebes, byAeschylus, but with some changes in the circumstances. It takes place in the city of Thebes and its countryside. Two obstinate characters rule this tragedy, Creon and Antigone. Creon declares an edict stating death by stoning to anyone that gives Polynices a proper burial. Eteocles his brother receives a proper burial because he died defending the city whilst Polynices died attacking it. Creon is warned that, stubborn self-will incurs a charge of stupidity (L, 1028) and that he should reconsider his options. Finally when Creon comes to his senses its too late and the play ends with Creon regretting his actions and both his son and Antigone dead.

Antigone can be viewed as a defiant martyr, risking her life for the proper burial of her brother Polynices. Her reasons are noble and righteous in the eyes of the gods and she knows she will pay with her life for defying Creon. When confronted by Creon she did not believe that, Creon, a mortal, could overstep gods written and steadfast traditions (L 454). This has no effect on Creon, who considers her out of place for defying his edict. Specifically hes angered that a women would dare to challenge a mans rule. Antigone knows that not burying her brother, will keep her from dying nobly (L 97), which justifies her actions against Creon. By honoring the gods, (L 77) which is more important than the edict, she will be able to die nobly. From the beginning of the play Antigone knew that challenging Creon was asking for death. Ismene tries to warn her that they should not battle against men (L 62). Ismenes statement tells Antigone not to forget herself, that she is a woman and has no power, especially against Creon. Yet she still stands for her belief that she must please those below than those here it is definitely more important, considering after life she will be with the gods eternally (L 75).

Both Antigone and Creon are willful and unwilling to back down in their decisions. Antigones sister Ismene calls her stubborn for having no regards for the laws of the city. Following her belief in what the gods say over a mortal mans wishes. Creons son tries reasoning with him, saying, you are mistaken in what you say (L 685). Creon does not listen, saying to Coryphaeus, are we at our age to be taught (L 726). However Antigone is seen as a sufferer for a cause for following the gods. She was acting in accordance to the gods, giving proper burial to the dead. Creon arrogantly believes himself divine, that he is incapable of making mistakes and all other opinions are inferior. In the play the citizens of Thebes seems to agree with Antigone, not Creon however Antigone is sentenced to be locked in a cave. This not only affects Antigone but Haemon as well, since they were to be married.

At first, Creon was sure of his actions and approved of all events. It is not until the end that Creon heeds the words from Tiresias the prophet. Creon decides to free Antigone only when it is too late. First Creon is hit with the death of his son, his blood drawn by a hand