Antigone motivated by the love she has for her brother. She goes willingly to be arrested.
Creon gives her another chance by dismissing the sentry. While alone with Antigone, he
asks her did she not hear him? She could have “wiggled out” of the sentence. She will
be killed otherwise. Death by stoning. Creon gives her a chance in private.
Antigone says: “How could I have not heard it?” Creon’s offer to let her out of her
sentence.
Antigone’s attitude: p. 783 lines 68-72 What is Antigone saying to Creon?
“Your edict, King, was strong……” the essence of which means man’s laws are only
viable when Creon is king, but when Creon is gone (dies) Creon’s laws will go with him
and the divine laws will remain.
Antigone adheres to the DIVINE LAW, the gods’ laws. Antigone is compared to
Oedipus, her father.
Creon says she is guilty of a double insolence: two crimes: defied his laws and is proud
of it, boasts of it.
She is guilty of HUBRIS. She knew about it and did nothing. e.g. Penn State
Antigone and Ismene both arrested. Both knew. Both did nothing.
p. 785 line 129 “regardless of what you did……” there is proper burial, protocol is
followed (Antigone’s position, all deserve a proper burial)
from p 785: paying attention to the way Antigone and Ismene speak to each other, what
is their motive for speaking to each other the way they do
Ismene’s duty to discharge to the dead, to die with Antigone
“Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waiver, King”
Sexual metaphor: push his plow
Antigone niece to Creon, but also future daughter-in-law, betrothed to Creon’s son.
Executing Antigone will further complicate the family dynamic
Ismene says she is just as guilty, but Antigone says she (I) will not lessen her (A’s) death
by sharing it. Antigone wants all the attention. Displaying HUBRIS (overweening
pride, extremely prideful)
Perhaps Antigone also protective of her sister, however, probably because Antigone
wants the attention
Haemon and Antigone – engaged to be married. Haemon, son of Creon
Even the bravest men have been known to run when faced with death – comment made
about Antigone.
ODE TWO – Oedipus’ children are cursed because of manner in which they were
conceived “the last flower” references Antigone “fistful of dust” how Antigone would
bury her brother No happy ending.
Mortal arrogance – HUBRIS - Mortal arrogance does not transcend the wrath of the gods
– Zeus, et al the gods will not tolerate the hubris of man.
Line 24 –“or they walked with fixed eyes as blind men “ - Oedipus
ODE TWO suggests that Antigone will not survive