#antigs

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetics: 10. Antigone and Haemon

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetic: 3. Ismene

Ismene is Antigone's sister and although she’s reluctant to help the brash Antigone for fear of punishment, she defends her when accused by Creon and maintains false guilt in order to share Antigone’s punishment for fear of life with out her. She’s violently rejected by Antigone who commands her to reveal her innocence and Ismene is spared. Ismene represents love, compassion and reason as she is unwilling to help Antigone commit a crime but is happy to share the blame once she realises she will face a life without her sister. 

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetics: 7. Chorus

In this play the chorus is a group of elderly Theban men. They support Creon throughout most of the play during their choral odes or songs. They only hesitate to favour Creon when he sends a mournful Antigone to her death and when Tiresias warns of Creon’s fate. It’s argued that the chorus could represent the play write’s thoughts and give him an indirect voice during the play, but the primary use for the chorus is to break up the play and allow for contemplation and reflection as their often morally charged odes encourage.

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetics: 4. Haemon

More in tune with his emotions and seemingly more logical than other characters in the play, Haemon is the son of the tyrannical Creon. Betrothed to Antigone, he begs his father to pardon Antigone and sacrifices his relationship with Creon in an attempt to prove her pure intentions. However, Haemon commits suicide beside Antigone’s corpse, bringing further pain to his father. His name translates as ‘bloody’ from the Greek Haimōnos (Αἵμωνος) emphasising how intense and raging love (and perhaps unrequited in Haemon’s case) can lead to downfall.

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetic: 6. Tiresias

The blind Prophet Tiresias warns Creon that Thebes will suffer greatly if he leaves Polynices unburied and condemns Antigone to death. He reveals that the gods are so displeased with Creon’s tyrannical and impious rule that they will never again accept offerings from Thebes and promises all of Greece will hate Creon for his crimes. Throughout greek literature and religion prophets held incredible power (Tiresias being one of the greatest who is also mentioned in the odyssey) thus giving these warnings serious weight to and emphasis on Creon’s crimes. 

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetic: 2. Creon

Creon is the uncle to Antigone and tyrannical ruler of the city Thebes who commands that Polynices, Antigone’s brother and aggressor of Thebes, remain unburied because of his traitorous behaviour. Creon condemns Antigone to death for disobeying this order despite opposition. Throughout the play Creon is frightening and intimidating - a perfect example of tyranny. It’s argued by many that Creon is the real tragic hero of the play as he suffers more as a result of his own faults than Antigone.

[the-theban-rebel]

Sophocles’ Antigone aesthetics: 1. Antigone

Antigone is the impulsive and headstrong princess of Thebes who takes her fate into her own hands when her brother Polynices remains unburied despite common law. As a result of her decision to bury her brother she is punished by the king Creon and is sentenced to death. She embodies strength, love, piety and democracy and has been an inspiration for the oppressed throughout history, notably in Nazi occupied France.

[cyscarfsfener]