How Does Antigone Use Literary Devices

Pressley Bowers

Mrs. Cain

ELA 10H

February 3, 2023

Abstract Sophocles often uses his work show his beliefs and ideas during a time where that may have not been as excepted. He shows his personal views, the laws of the government during this time, and also uses emotional ways to connect his reader to his writings. In Antigone he shows the importance of having your own views, and how you should never let one change your mind. He uses rhetorical and literary devices as well as symbolism to show different perspectives of this period. Sophocles is a talented writer who can show his beliefs through his writing.

Never Try to Change One’s Mind

Introduction

Sophocles shows his beliefs in his writings. In the Ancient Greek

While both considerations can be hard to comprehend, it is important to learn. Sophocles explains, “Words are not friends” (Sophocles line 435), everyone knows that you cannot physically be friends with words, but Sophocles means more than that. He is trying to get the point across that words can be hurtful, they are not always kind, like friends should be. By using this imagery, the reader can picture how hurtful words can be.

Although words are used every day, we do not realize how hurtful they can be. Words are the way almost all humans communicate so when they are used it’s like habit. When Sophocles states “Words are not friends” (Sophocles 435), he is stating the truth. Words can be something to bring others up, but they can also be used as a weapon, to tear others down. This excerpt is way deeper than what it may seem, it can easily be skipped over but it is important to understand. Sophocles’ pathos helps the reader to emotionally connect to the play Antigone. His pathos helps the reader feel sympathetic towards the character in the story. When Sophocles states, “Grief teaches even the steadiest mind to weaver” (Sophocles line 451), this line is important to know because grief is a powerful emotion. Grief can cause any person to change their personality, or even drive them mad. While Sophocles may be simply trying to help connect his reader, he is also stating the

The reader continues to see the beliefs of not only the characters but also the beliefs of Sophocles. The culture shown in Antigone is very different then our current day American culture. “Bury him! You have said the law forbids it” (Sophocles 32) Sophocles states this, to show Ismene’s concern when Antigone says she will bury her brother. Antigone believes it is the right thing to do to bury her brother, even though the law forbids it. The law is not made up, it is there for a reason, however Antigone goes against it. Antigone’s ethos shows how much she cares for her family, specifically her brother. Just because Oedipus died with everyone against him, Antigone did not care because he was still her family. When Antigone states, “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too.” (Sophocles 32), she’s trying to convince her sister to come with her to bury her brother. Her beliefs were more powerful than what the law was stating. Ethos shows one’s beliefs, and Antigone’s beliefs were more powerful than what the law