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Examples Of Moral Ambiguity In Antigone

752 Words4 Pages

Jacob Johnson
Mr. Milroy
English 10 (HON)
17 January 2023
Moral Ambiguity Essay
Sophocles’ Antigone is a well known play that was written in 441 BC. In the story, Creon, the leader of the city called Thebes, puts Antigone to death for burying her traitor brother Polynices. Throughout Sophocles’ Antigone, the protagonist of the story, Antigone, shows a multitude of morally ambiguous characteristics that affect the work as a whole. From the very first line of the play to the very end of the play, Antigone’s decisions cannot be described as good or bad. Although she goes against her city by breaking the law, she also complies with her punishment and accepts the consequence of death. Her lack of respect and rudeness toward Creon and her selfless …show more content…

Antigone is seen talking to her sister, Ismene, about burying their brother, Polynices. The indicated discussion is a pivotal moment in the play because it is the start in deciding whether or not Antigone is in the right or wrong. One of Antigone biggest motivations in burying her brother is to please the gods, otherwise the gods would be angry. On the other hand, Ismene believes that they shouldn’t bury him because Creon, the leader of the city, declared it to be against the law. Not only does their discussion kick off a rollercoaster of a play, but it makes the audience question if pleasing the gods was worth the consequences of death. Antigone’s decision to bury Polynices also begs the question “Is burying Polynices a good thing or bad …show more content…

During the time that the play was written, works of literature and their messages were used as a tool civilians should use in their everyday life. Specifically, Antigone’s message can be used to teach citizens to question their government, religion, or morality. Throughout the play, the audience questions the play along with their government, religion, and morality. These questions that the audience asks aid in the development of the moral of the play as well as the audience into great citizens. In the case of Antigone, her questioning that led her to her death can be looked at as the way to be a citizen. Always questioning government rules and being religiously centered are two very important messages that come out of Antigone’s moral ambiguous

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In Sophocles’ Antigone, the protagonist, Antigone, possesses the characteristic flaw of blind passion. Antigone tells the tragedy of a recalcitrant woman’s agony due to a new edict declared by the ruling power of the state, King Creon. The young woman, Antigone, wants to bury her brother, Polynices, but Creon’s edict announces that anyone who does so will be punished in death. Antigone rebels against the law of the state because she is assertive in her decision to bury her brother in order to honour the gods and maintain family loyalty. She courageously decides to act upon her free will and is prepared to face the consequence of death that proceeds.

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Conner Johnson Mr. Milroy English 10b Hon. 17 January 2023 Ambiguous character Antigone is a morally ambiguous character who plays a pivotal role in the play Antigone by Sophocles. Being the play’s lead character, She is the starting cause of all the struggles in the drama. Violating the law is an action Antigone sees as necessary to fit what she believes is morally right, consequently creating contrast in her character of whether she is morally just or conversely purely evil.

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Antigone is a tragedy play written by Sophocles. In the story, Antigone, a young woman, had requested permission from Creon, the king at the time, to have a proper burial for her brother, Polyneices; even though he was a traitor and the law forbids mourning for him. Creon had denied Antigone's request for the burial of her brother, however, Antigone had still carried out the burial. Unfortunately, she had been caught in her act, by the king’s guard, and brought before Creon.

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History has shown that religious and personal beliefs frequently clash with societal norms and laws. An example of this is present in Antigone, a Ancient Greek play written by Sophocles in 441 BC. Antigone is a teenage girl(inferred) who was forced to decide whether to give her brother, Polynices, a proper burial or follow Creon’s edict which condemned Polynices’ body to be ravaged by nature. Eventually, Antigone chooses to uphold her beliefs and bury her brother even if it would lead to her death. Antigone’s immense dedication to her morals and her response to Creon’s edict help in understanding her views on moral authority and death.

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The burial of Polyneices is viewed nobly, yet Antigone is not faultless in that act. One of Antigone’s largest mistakes is that she burns bridges with those that care about her. Pleading with Antigone, Ismene laments “why would I care to live when you are gone?” (548). Antigone dismisses this heartfelt plea by deferring Ismene to Creon, thus isolating herself from her only kin.

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This declaration allows the reader to sympathize with Antigone and turn against Creon’s law, just as the chorus begins to do. Her assessment may be correct, however, by declaring Creon’s law unjust and against the will of the gods, Antigone undertakes the responsibility that she knows the will of the gods along with their idea of justice, and will abide only by their laws that are the unwritten laws of man. Antigone begins to be outlandish as she allows her emotions to consume her by stating: “This death penalty is almost a relief.” (30). Nevertheless, the audiences, as well as the chorus’s, sympathies tilt more toward Antigone and her traitor of a brother,

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Thus, he is attacking her identity, and that is a part of the reason she opposes his orders” (Sophocles 67). This is significant because it shows why Creon was

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