Antigone is one of the tragedy plays of the trilogy that Sophocles wrote around 441 B.C. Antigone the play is about a girl named Antigone who disobeys Creon’s (King) law by burying her brother, Polynices. Creon promised death to whoever buried Polynices and Antigone still decided to move forward with her decision. I have chosen to analyze this play through a psychological lens based on Antigone’s actions and behavior.

In the beginning of the play Antigone was extremely angry. She was angry because not one, but both of her brothers have been killed (Eteocles and Polynices). What bothered her most was that Eteocles has been given all the death rights to be mourned/buried and Polynices was denied of these rights. No one was allowed to mourn/bury Polynices. Antigone not only believed everyone had the right to be buried and that no one could take that away; but that it dishonored the laws the gods honored as well. Antigone desperately went to her sister Ismene to ask for help in burying Polynices as soon as she heard the news. Ismene was only shocked that Antigone will disobey the law and refused to help because unlike Antigone, she was afraid of the consequences. This only disappointed Antigone. She felt that Ismene denying her offer was her not wanting to sacrifice for her own blood. Antigone tells Ismene “even if you should have a change of heart, I’d never welcome you in the labor, not with me.” By this decision you can tell Antigone was hurt. She feels alone not only because 99% of her family has passed but also because the only member she had left is not on her side.

Towards the end of the play Antigone seems careless and satisfied at the same time. Although throughout the play we know she doesn’t care Creon has promised death, you never know how someone would react at the moment of occurrence. Antigone did have a couple words before they took her away but when it came down to sending her off, she seemed to take it very well. I believe it is because she already has done what she wanted to do. Antigone says “But now, Polynices, because I laid your body out as well, this, this is my reward. Nevertheless I honored you–the decent will admit it–well and wisely too.” She knew what she had coming for her, she just had to give Creon a piece of her mind before going. Antigone knew what she did was right, maybe not as the laws stated, but in an ethical way. She is satisfied she paid her respects by burying her brother and knows her family has recognized what she has done as well. As she started in the beginning of the play “and even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory.” Antigone died with pride because of her actions.

What Antigone did is ethical in my eyes. As she stated to Creon “Nor did I think your edict had such force that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods, the great unwritten, unshakable traditions”. Creon is only human, like the rest; he cannot decide how someone gets to be remembered/ receive respect. He said “a proclamation has forbidden the city to dignify him with burial, mourn him at all. No, he must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear, an obscenity for the citizens to behold!” On the contrary, I believe that Creon denying these rights is unethical. He is not acknowledging Polynices as a human but maybe as an animal or worse. Antigone along with Ismene should have been able to decide how they wanted to pay their respects to their family members and nobody else.

I believe the way Antigone acts is realistic for someone in the 5^th century. Not everyone, but most people would do anything in their power to protect/support their loved ones. Antigone’s only family member is now Ismene; her father, mother and both brothers have passed away. Her whole family basically died in shame and she feels she could have still changed that for Polynices by doing the honors herself. In Part I of Antigone, Ismene tells Antigone if she’s going to go on with it then fine, she won’t help her but the least she would do is keep it a secret; Antigone replies “Dear God, shout it from the rooftops”. I believe she wanted everyone to know and agree with her, that her brother deserved a burial. I believe not knowing about a burial is almost as if it didn’t happen. I also believe she sees it as disrespect to hide it. You can tell Antigone not only values the Gods and their rules/traditions but her family as well because she was willing to go through such extreme measures by going against Creon.

All in all, I think Antigone’s behavior was as anyone’s would be after many losses. Everyone copes differently; while Ismene was quiet and just accepted Creon’s decision, Antigone was very upset and decided she had to act upon it. She had to do something about it to make herself feel better as well as she felt her actions would be pleasing not only her family up above but the Gods as well.

 

-Jennifer Vasquez