Power Structure In Antigone

In many communities, some individuals strive for change, while others try to maintain the power structure as it is. In Sophocles’ Antigone, the plot is driven by the conflict between Antigone who wants to bury her brother, Polyneices, but King Creon doesn’t want him to be buried. Antigone goes against Creon’s orders and attempts to bury her brother, so Creon sentences her to death. As the play progresses, it becomes clear that the characters are trying to either change their role in the community or maintain it. This conflict contributes to a major role in the play where an individual who chooses whether to change or or maintain the power structure. In Antigone, Antigone’s antagonist, Creon, has this role because he is at the top of the hierarchy, where his power can be challenged through an act of rebellion. A type of uprising occurs through Antigone’s actions.
When an individual, such as Antigone, pursues their wants or needs, it can lead to a conflict. There are those who, such as Ismene (Antigone’s sister) wish to avoid conflict. Ismene attempts to do this by not changing her community, specifically who has power and who does not have it. For example, she says,“No we should be sensible:/ we are women, born unfit to battle men;/ and we are subjects, while Creon is king”(23). The last two lines highlight who has the power and who does not, and how this has been something

There is a need for a change of power but in some cases the need to maintain who was in power. Not many individuals strive for power but many strive to take charge whether it is over an individual or situation. It is almost impossible for an individual to relinquish control. This is significant because it proves the importance of different levels of power and the ability to speak out when there is an unequal balance of power and or