Blog Post #2- 3/11/16

Antigone, written by Sophocles, delves into a woman, Antigone, who deeply values honor. The Greek play begins with Antigone mourning over the loss of her two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, to her sister, Ismene. She is devasted not only that her two brothers death by fighting one another, but by Polynices’ rights to a burial being taken away. Eteocles “had been given full military honors”(line 29) and Creon, the King, “forbids anyone to bury [Polynices].” (lines 33-34) Her values of honor and family are shown when she enlightens her sister on the idea of her providing Polynices the burial he deserves. Antigone gives Ismene an ultimatum after explaining the decree Creon has announced by saying,  “You’ll soon show what you are, worth your breeding, Ismene, or a coward—for all your royal blood.” (lines 44-46) Antigone has given her a choice of either, showing disloyalty to her family or being of assistance in burying Polynices.

Joseph Addison once said, “Better to die ten thousand deaths than wound my honor.” This quote relates to Antigone because she knows her life is on the line if she chooses to take the risk and bury Polynices, but she decides to anyway. Ismene reminds her of how their father died and how their mother and their father’s mother died and how their reputations were ruined and if their death was horrific, then the outcome of breaking the law would result inworse punishment—especially for women. Antigone responds, “I won’t insist, no, even if you should have a change of heart…and even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory.” (lines 82-86) No matter what consequences her scandal will lead to, Antigone is adamant on honoring her brother and family morals by executing her plan.