Antigone's Rights

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Antigone's Rights

Antigone was a young woman who from the start of this story has a mind-set to save the soul of her brother and give him a correct burial place. She thinks that Creon’s punishment of leaving Polynices’s body for the birds and dogs is unfair and out of line. Throughout the story she fights for what she knows is right, turning the city of Thebes and loved ones against Creon, the ruler of the city. Although Antigone’s deed caused much uproar, she did have the right to bury her brother despite the king’s order forbidding it.   Antigone does not think what Creon has ordered is fair in any way because for one, Polynices is her own blood, her brother, and for two, no man should ever die that kind of death. She then comes up with the plan to bury his dead body so he can actually rest in peace. “I will not be found a traitor” (Sophocles, 15), Antigone quotes as she is explaining to Ismene why it is right to bury their own brother. She knows that by doing this deed she will be pleasing the gods and not the ruler of Thebes and that is the only thing that matters to her. Throughout her plotting she knows “she will please those who she should please most” (Sophocles, 16). Her sister, knowing that Antigone’s punishment would be death if she were to actually fall through with this, tries to explain this to her. Antigone only quotes, “It seems fair to me to die while doing it. I will lie dear to him, with one dear to me, a holy outlaw, since I must please those below a longer time than people here, for I shall lie there forever. You, though, dishonor the gods’ commands, if you wish” (Sophocles, 16).   Antigone goes on to argue with Ismene convincing her that burying their brother would be the only right thing to do. It is not right and it is not fair for him to be left out for the dogs and the birds to feed on. Polynices was an innocent man that was promised a deal that he never got to experience. Antigone realizes that she will suffer death by Creon, but knows that she will be saved...

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  • Submitted by: chawkey08
  • Date Submitted: 11/13/2008 07:06 PM
  • Category: History Other
  • Words: 1397
  • Pages: 6
  • Views: 174
  • Popularity Rank: 3201

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