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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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