Essay about Sophocles Antigone A Great Tragedy - 1073 Words

One decisions changes your entire life and the lives of others. One decision can create a major difference, but one decision can create major conflict. One decision affects all other decisions. The effects of one decision are present in Antigone by the greek author, Sophocles. The setting of Antigone is the ancient city of Thebes after a battle between Polyneices and Eteocles. During the battle, a great tragedy occurs when Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other. The battle is a result of one decision by Polyneices to conquer Thebes, and his attempt is a utter failure. Polyneices decision to attack Thebes dramatically alters the future course of Thebes. Polyneicess attack removes Eteocles from power and promotes Creon to power.†¦show more content†¦Creon plays the role of God by deciding who can and cannot experience the afterlife, and he uses civil law to overrule divine law. This draws sympathy toward Antigones situation. Antigone fears Polyneices will suffer for eternity if she does not act. Antigone buries Polyneices, so he will experience eternal life. Her brother Eteocles receives a proper burial from Creon, and Antigone ensures Polyneices has the same opportunity regardless of his actions. Antigone feels she is simply fulfilling the traditions and practices of her beliefs. Creon tries to control the beliefs of the citizens in Thebes with the threat of persecution. Creon creates consequences for doing the right thing. Creons decree allows the audience to feel fear for Antigone. Creon persecutes anyone who tries to simply do his or her duty to his or her faith. Antigone acts morally and religiously in fear. Antigone does not show her fear, but the audience feels fear and despair for the outcome of her actions. The outcome of Antigones actions only bolster the audiences feelings of sympathy and fear. Antigone does not leave her family members behind. Antigones loyalty to her family produces feelings of sympathy and fear. Antig one is distraught because her two brothers die at each others hand. This reason alone creates immense sympathy for Antigone. The audience feels sympathy for Antigones despair over PolyneicesShow MoreRelatedSophocles As A Master Of Character Development1497 Words   |  6 PagesSophocles is one of the three great Athens tragic playwrights in Greek history. He has written over 120 plays in which they were performed into three tragedies known as the â€Å"Oedipus the King†. Although he has written 123 plays there are only seven of his tragedies remaining and with only a few titles and fragments remaining. The seven tragedies include Ajax, Antigone, Trachinian Women, Oedipus the King, Electra, Philoctetes, Oedipus at Colonus, and Trackers. 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