Antigone, a Selfless, Courageous Woman
In Sophocles’ play, Antigone, Antigone dies because she buries her brother, Polynices. The king, Creon, had forbidden anyone to bury Polynices on pain of death. Some would call Antigone a self-centered martyr, while others think of her as a courageous woman. Antigone only wants to give her brother a proper burial, she knows she might die because of it, and she does not want to perform the task on her own. With these statements in mind, one may conclude that Antigone is a model of courage.
Firstly, Antigone wants her brother to have proper burial. Because she loves her brother very much, Antigone wants to honor him in his death. Antigone comes to her sister, saying “but the dead body of Polynices… they say it has been given out publicly. None may bewail, none bury, all must leave,” and then continues to declare “him I will bury. Death, so met, were honor…” At this point, Antigone is not trying to attract attention to herself, only to help her deceased brother.
Secondly, Antigone knows the consequences that will come of burying Polynices. Antigone knows she will die if she buries her brother’s body, and yet she selflessly sacrifices her own life to honor her brother. Fearlessly, Antigone states, “loving and loved, I will lie by his side.” As Creon’s men figure out that she buried Polynices, Antigone is brought before Creon and sentenced to death. Antigone goes willingly, and in the end, Creon finds her dead.
Finally, Antigone has the courage to admit she cannot bury her without help. If she had been trying to become a martyr, Antigone would have most likely buried her brother alone without even a thought of asking for assistance. Antigone goes to her sister, Ismene, and asks, “Look, will you join me? Will you work with me?” Ismene, in reply thinks her sister is mad, and refuses to help Antigone. Later, however, Ismene tries to convince Creon that she, too, is guilty. Antigone affirms that Ismene is not, and in doing so saves her sister.
Antigone should not be mistaken for a self-centered martyr. She dies bravely, standing firmly for her cause to the end, even though this brings death upon her. In studying the play Antigone, one will find that deep inside, the heroine’s actions come from the love Antigone has for her brother and not from selfishness. Antigone is willing to die in order to honor her brother, and she does not want to work alone, but would rather have someone supporting her cause. Antigone is a model for courage and selfless thought because of this.
