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Homework Help: English: Books, Novels & Plays: Antigone
by Emily McPherson
Antigone is a Greek Theban play.
In what way is Ismene an important character balance to Antigone?
Antigone is the first women in literature who is strong enough to
challenge the ever-present control of men. She presents her opinions,
challenges authority, and does not believe in something merely because
it is the word of the King. Ismene, on the other hand, shows how women
fit into the stereotype of ancient Greek society: dominated by the male
figure and treated as the inferior.
Antigone was a milestone to changing this stereotype, and the
character of Ismene is used as an anchor to show how outrageous and
daring Antigone's actions are. Both of the sisters have conflicting
claims and values which makes the plot of the play even more involved.
Ismene places her trust in the police and considers the violation of the
divine laws to be acceptable. She puts her assurance into the
Government of man and presumes Creon to be superior to the gods or
presumes not to need the gods in guidance of a human issue.
Ismene is the only character who is not directly involved in any of
the tragedies as she is just an onlooker. At the one and only point
when she tries to take a stand and react to Creon's ruling, she is sold
down river by her sister so that Antigone could be bathed in self glory.
In what way does the character of Antigone change during the play?
Antigone changes her values and personality for the better as the
tragedies of the play uncoil around her, causing her to rethink her
actions. Antigone's character at the beginning of the play is a self
ruled, self assured, aggressive and very much unlovable human being.
She is willing to be egotistical and stand by her principles, but she
doesn't take into consideration anybody else's feelings. These traits
control the drama.
The big shift from Antigone's masculine assertion is seen in the last
scene which she contributes to directly in person. We see her change
from being full of self pity and glory, to a more loving and sympathetic
individual. By seeing Antigone's masculine armor crack, the audience
is enlightened with a softer side to her personality. Compassion is
felt for her and we admire her stature as well as her feminine beauty.
In her final speech, Antigone seems to be loving towards her family
and fiancee before hanging herself. There is a slide into the feminine
space, as demonstrated spectacularly by her own death: hanging with its
noose signal her submission to the patriarchal order.
What is the role of Teiresias?
Teiresias is a blind seer and a prophecy of wars to come. He has
successfully been able to warn Creon and Thebes of any dangers of wars
towards the city in the past. Creon, therefore, calls upon Teiresias
for his verdict from the Gods in the moral war between Antigone and
himself.
They meet on grudging terms and Teiresias records the anger of the
gods at Creon's failure to bury Polynices corpse. Teiresias pleads with
Creon to countermand his initial edict and to rule in the interests if
the gods about the morals of Antigone's act. At first Creon refuses as
he doesn't want to be seen as weak for admitting his wrongs in front of
the seer. But after Teiresias leaves, he is still scarred from the
confrontation as Creon knows that the well-being of the gods is
paramount.
Creon realizes that his actions threaten the city and this gets him
running to the tomb to undo what he has done. Teiresias is used as the
final hammer which knocks Creon into line. The two proceeding jolts,
Antigone and Haemon, were not important enough for Creon to shed his
rigid laws.
In what way is Ismene an important character balance to Antigone?
Antigone is the first women in literature who is strong enough to
challenge the ever-present control of men. She presents her opinions,
challenges authority, and does not believe in something merely because
it is the word of the King. Ismene, on the other hand, shows how women
fit into the stereotype of ancient Greek society: dominated by the male
figure and treated as the inferior.
Antigone was a milestone to changing this stereotype, and the
character of Ismene is used as an anchor to show how outrageous and
daring Antigone's actions are. Both of the sisters have conflicting
claims and values which makes the plot of the play even more involved.
Ismene places her trust in the police and considers the violation of the
divine laws to be acceptable. She puts her assurance into the
Government of man and presumes Creon to be superior to the gods or
presumes not to need the gods in guidance of a human issue.
Ismene is the only character who is not directly involved in any of
the tragedies as she is just an onlooker. At the one and only point
when she tries to take a stand and react to Creon's ruling, she is sold
down river by her sister so that Antigone could be bathed in self glory.
In what way does the character of Antigone change during the play?
Antigone changes her values and personality for the better as the
tragedies of the play uncoil around her, causing her to rethink her
actions. Antigone's character at the beginning of the play is a self
ruled, self assured, aggressive and very much unlovable human being.
She is willing to be egotistical and stand by her principles, but she
doesn't take into consideration anybody else's feelings. These traits
control the drama.
The big shift from Antigone's masculine assertion is seen in the last
scene which she contributes to directly in person. We see her change
from being full of self pity and glory, to a more loving and sympathetic
individual. By seeing Antigone's masculine armor crack, the audience
is enlightened with a softer side to her personality. Compassion is
felt for her and we admire her stature as well as her feminine beauty.
In her final speech, Antigone seems to be loving towards her family
and fiancee before hanging herself. There is a slide into the feminine
space, as demonstrated spectacularly by her own death: hanging with its
noose signal her submission to the patriarchal order.
What is the role of Teiresias?
Teiresias is a blind seer and a prophecy of wars to come. He has
successfully been able to warn Creon and Thebes of any dangers of wars
towards the city in the past. Creon, therefore, calls upon Teiresias
for his verdict from the Gods in the moral war between Antigone and
himself.
They meet on grudging terms and Teiresias records the anger of the
gods at Creon's failure to bury Polynices corpse. Teiresias pleads with
Creon to countermand his initial edict and to rule in the interests if
the gods about the morals of Antigone's act. At first Creon refuses as
he doesn't want to be seen as weak for admitting his wrongs in front of
the seer. But after Teiresias leaves, he is still scarred from the
confrontation as Creon knows that the well-being of the gods is
paramount.
Creon realizes that his actions threaten the city and this gets him
running to the tomb to undo what he has done. Teiresias is used as the
final hammer which knocks Creon into line. The two proceeding jolts,
Antigone and Haemon, were not important enough for Creon to shed his
rigid laws.
Homework Help: English: Books, Novels, and Plays
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