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Sophocles' timeless tragedy, "Antigone," centers around the complex motivations and contrasting beliefs of its two main characters, Antigone and King Creon of Thebes. While both are driven by powerful convictions, their motivations diverge significantly. Antigone's unwavering love for her family propels her to challenge Creon's edict, even at the cost of her own life. In contrast, Creon's devotion lies with his country, and he prioritizes Thebes above all else. His determination to maintain the city's power, coupled with his unyielding pride, shapes his character throughout the play.
This essay delves into the motivations and beliefs that define Antigone and Creon, shedding light on their contrasting paths and the tragic consequences that unfold as a result.
Antigone's primary motivation is a profound love for her family, which she holds above all else. She embarks on a perilous mission to bury her deceased brother, Polynices, despite King Creon's edict that deems it illegal to do so.
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Through her actions, it becomes evident that her love for her brother and her desire to honor him drive her unwavering resolve.
Antigone's character is also defined by her unshakable belief in the supremacy of divine laws over those made by mortals. She firmly asserts that the gods' laws hold more power than any human decree, exemplifying her commitment to a higher moral order. This belief underpins her willingness to defy Creon's edict and risk her own life.
Furthermore, Antigone believes in the importance of dying a heroic death rather than a cowardly one.
She accepts her impending doom with courage and conviction, viewing her act of burying Polynices as a heroic sacrifice. In her dialogue with Creon, she proclaims, "For me to meet this doom (death) is little grief; But when my mother’s son lay dead, had I neglected him and left him there unburied, That would have caused me grief; this causes me none" (437-459). This statement encapsulates her character's essence, emphasizing her love for family and her commitment to her beliefs.
Unlike Antigone, King Creon's motivations revolve around his profound love for his country, Thebes. He prioritizes the welfare and stability of the city above all else, including his family ties. His determination to maintain Thebes' power and dominance is a driving force behind his actions throughout the play.
Pride is another central motivation for Creon. He takes immense pride in his role as king and revels in the authority it affords him. His pride is evident in his refusal to revoke the edict even when his wife, Eurydice, and niece, Antigone, openly oppose it. This pride blinds him to the consequences of his decisions and leads him down a tragic path.
Creon's authoritarian nature is a defining trait that shapes his character. He rules Thebes through intimidation and demands unwavering loyalty from his subjects, regardless of their familial ties. This authoritarian approach is evident in his dialogue with the prophet Teiresias, where he accuses Teiresias of bribery and maintains his refusal to allow the burial of Polynices: "Sir, all of you, like bowmen at a target, let fly your shafts at me... Not even so, for fear of that defilement, will I permit his burial-for well I know that mortal man cannot defile the gods" (994-1006). These words exemplify his inclination to act rashly and his unwavering pride in his authority.
Sophocles' "Antigone" portrays the intricate interplay of motivations and beliefs that drive its central characters, Antigone and Creon. Antigone's love for her family, unwavering faith in divine laws, and pursuit of a heroic death define her character as a tragic heroine. In contrast, Creon's devotion to Thebes, overwhelming pride, and authoritarian leadership style shape him as a complex, feared leader.
As the play unfolds, the collision of these opposing motivations and beliefs leads to a tragic denouement. Antigone's defiance of Creon's edict results in her death, a testament to her unwavering commitment to her convictions. Creon's stubbornness and refusal to yield to reason lead to the loss of his son, wife, and the unraveling of his authority.
In the end, "Antigone" serves as a powerful exploration of the consequences of conflicting motivations and beliefs, highlighting the tragic cost of uncompromising pride and unyielding adherence to personal principles.
Antigone and Creon: Motivations and Beliefs in Sophocles' Drama. (2016, Sep 13). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/character-motivations-in-antigone-essay
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