The Sentry In Sophocles Antigone

Sophocles' play Antigone is a powerful tragedy that has been studied and admired for centuries. It follows the story of two relatives, Antigone, and Creon, who find themselves at odds over their conflicting beliefs and values. Antigone believes in honoring the gods and respecting the dead, while Creon believes in the rule of law and order. Throughout the play, the Chorus serves as a moral guide and provides insight into the characters' actions. Initially, the Chorus is on the side of Creon, and his belief in upholding the rule of law seems to be driven by their fear of being killed for disobedience. The Chorus sympathizes with Antigone's plight and the depth of her convictions after devastating suicides that impact Creon directly. Overall,

The body had been buried. The Sentry was extremely intimidated to be the bearer of this news and declared, "We were ready to take hot bars in our hands or walk through the fire, and call on the gods with oaths that we had neither done it nor were privy to a plot with anyone, neither in planning nor yet in execution". (Sophocles, Sentry, 290-300). The Chorus and the Sentry feared for their lives and bided King Creon's will to save them. The conflict is that the citizens and the sentries didn't agree with the King and their jobs were to represent the citizens and to keep law and order, which they couldn't do for fear of the death penalty. King Creon orders the delivery of the man who buried Polyneices. He says, "if you and your fellows do not find this man who with his hand did the burial and bring him here before I face to face, your death alone will not be enough for me". (Sophocles, Creon, 335-345). The sentries were ordered to find the guilty culprit or

While reporting to the king, the Sentry says, "I have come here, though I break my oath in coming. I bring this girl here who has been captured giving the grace of burial to the dead man". (Sophocles, Sentry, 430-435). This statement indicates the inner battle the Sentry is facing by bringing forth Antigone. He is breaking his oath to the city which is to keep law and order and he believes that Antigone's wish to provide her brother with a proper burial is appropriate. He is struggling with his oath to serve the community and the demand of the king. The Sentry later says, "We charged her with what she had done, then and the first time. She did not deny a word of it – to my joy, but to my pain as well. It is most pleasant to have escaped such troubles but painful to bring into it those we love". (Sophocles, Sentry, 475-485). Antigone was comfortable with her decision to provide her brother with a proper funeral. The Sentry was relieved to be saved from death because he turned Antigone into the king but he didn't want to turn her in because he cared about her and disagreed with the king in this