Antigone Analytical Essay

Antigone Analytical essay

It takes a whole life of truth to be honest, however it only takes one lie to break that honesty. This quote shows how much impact a single false decision can have. In the play Antigone, the character Creon learns this very lesson through harsh experience and great lose. Blinded by his stubbornness and the duties as a ruler, Creon went against all others' warnings executing Antigone. With this one rash and thoughtless judgment, the lives of so many were influenced.

Of all the choices Creon made during the play, the one that had the most impact was the decision to execute Antigone. The first person this decision affected was obviously Antigone herself. Not only, did she lose her life, but also her honor along with dignity. Shown in line 35, "And the death will be public stoning in the city," it is clear of what shameful suffering Antigone must go through because of Creon's recklessness. Besides Antigone, there were other characters that were dragged deeply into the situation. One of these people was Ismene, Antigone's younger sister. Even though Ismene tried to stop Antigone's plan, Creon still denounced her as Antigone's partner in crime. Thus he wished to punish Ismene the same way as her sister. During the talk with the two sisters, Creon accused, "The pair of you were plotting to overthrow the throne, but I was blind" (530). This shows how Creon's decision was unfair. He didn't hear others out, he also jumped to conclusions without evidence. The last character the decision affected was Haimon, Creon's son. Antigone and Haimon were engaged. If Creon were to kill Antigone, he would be killing his son's lover and bride. Haimon's love for Antigone was shown through line 745-746 Where Haimon replied his father's comment of "you will not marry her while she is alive," with "Then she must die. But her death will bring another death." Haimon's was telling his father that he is not afraid of dying for what is right, but also how much Antigone meant to him. All the tragedy of these people is caused through Creon's decision. Blinded by stubbornness, he ceases to listen to others' advice.

One of the reasons that caused Creon to make such a foolish decision was his stubbornness. In Creon's mind, he is always just. Not only does he think too fully of himself, he doesn't wish to admit his wrongs even if he knows it deep in his heart. His ignorance is shown through line 670, "I will not be beaten by a woman." The discrimination toward woman as being less intelligent and capable proves how narrow minded he is. He cannot see what others see, and refuses to believe the truth in front of him. Even when his weakness is pointed out, he would simply push it all aside. His son Haimon said to him, "You always want to speak, never to listen" (755). Through this quote, it proves how others have noticed his stubbornness. Even so, Creon just ignored his son and accused him of betraying his father. These words of truth did not make Creon rethink of his decision, but rather angered him to only become more rash.

Other than Creon's inner feelings, there were quite a few external forces that affected his final decision. The first external force was the edict he made, "No one shall touch him, Creon has made this a law" (31). This law gave Creon the reason to kill Antigone. In his