Valentine’s Day: A Guide to Antigone in Greek Mythology
Antigone is one of the most iconic characters in Greek mythology and tragedy. Her story is one of defiance, familial duty, and moral courage in the face of authority. The tale of Antigone is best known through the play Antigone by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, which is part of the larger cycle of Theban plays, depicting the events in Thebes following the fall of the ruling family.
Antigone’s mythic significance extends beyond her role in Greek tragedy; she has come to symbolize the struggle between personal conviction and state law, making her one of the most discussed and debated characters in classical literature. Her defiance of King Creon’s edict and her commitment to burying her brother at any cost highlight powerful themes of duty, justice, and the conflict between public and private morals.
1. Overview of the Plot
The story of Antigone takes place in Thebes, a city in ancient Greece. It is part of the mythological cycle involving the tragic fates of the royal family of Thebes, particularly the siblings Antigone, Ismene, Polynices, and Eteocles.
The Background: The Curse of the House of Oedipus
Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, the tragic king of Thebes, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, fulfilling a horrific prophecy. As a result of Oedipus’ actions, his family is cursed, and tragedy follows the royal bloodline. Antigone’s brother, Eteocles, and her other brother, Polynices, end up fighting each other for control of Thebes, leading to their deaths in battle.
Creon’s Decree
Following the death of Eteocles and Polynices, Creon, the new king of Thebes (and Antigone’s uncle), issues an edict declaring that Polynices, who fought against Thebes, is not to be buried. His body is to be left for the animals to devour as a punishment for his betrayal of the city. This act of dishonor is not only a blow to Polynices but a profound affront to the Greek concept of honoring the dead. Proper burial rights were sacred, as they ensured the soul’s peaceful journey to the afterlife.
However, Antigone, Polynices’ sister, defies Creon’s command, believing that the gods’ laws regarding the dead supersede the king’s edict. Her unwavering commitment to burying her brother and ensuring his soul’s peace leads her to act against the law of the state.
Antigone’s Defiance
Antigone, with the help of her sister Ismene (who is initially reluctant to assist), secretly performs the burial rites for Polynices. Despite her caution, Antigone is eventually caught by the guards, who report her actions to Creon.
Creon, furious at Antigone’s defiance, sentences her to death by entombment, where she will be left to die without food or water. Antigone is resolute in her beliefs, and even as she faces death, she remains unrepentant and proud of her actions. She tells Creon that the gods’ will is far more important than the decrees of any earthly ruler.
The Tragic Outcome
The consequences of Antigone’s defiance unfold in a tragic manner. Her punishment results in her eventual death, and her actions ignite a chain of events that lead to the demise of several characters.
Haemon, Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé, pleads for her life, arguing that the people of Thebes support Antigone’s actions and that she is simply following divine law. His attempts to reason with his father fail, and in despair, Haemon kills himself after finding Antigone already dead in the tomb.
Eurydice, Creon’s wife, also learns of her son’s death and, in her grief, takes her own life.
Creon, devastated by the loss of his son and wife, realizes too late the consequences of his actions and the pride that led him to punish Antigone. The play ends with Creon’s profound regret, as he contemplates the futility of his stubbornness and the toll of his decisions on his family and the city.
2. Main Characters
Antigone: The central figure of the tragedy, Antigone is a symbol of moral courage and familial loyalty. She believes that divine law (the gods’ will) supersedes human law, and she acts on this belief, even though it leads to her death. She is unyielding, brave, and determined, willing to face any consequence to honor her brother.
Creon: The king of Thebes and Antigone’s uncle. Creon is a ruler who represents the state’s authority and the laws of the land. Initially, he is portrayed as a man of principle who is determined to maintain order in Thebes after the chaos of war. However, his inability to reconcile his personal beliefs with his role as king leads to tragic consequences.
Haemon: Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé. Haemon represents the conflict between filial loyalty and romantic love. He is a voice of reason who attempts to persuade his father to show mercy to Antigone. His death, after the loss of Antigone, is a tragic consequence of his love and devotion.
Ismene: Antigone’s sister, who represents caution and fear. Although she is initially unwilling to help Antigone defy Creon, she later expresses regret for not joining her sister in her act of rebellion. Ismene’s role highlights the theme of moral and ethical struggle, as she faces the tension between obedience and defiance.
Eurydice: Creon’s wife and Haemon’s mother. Eurydice plays a lesser role but her death, after hearing of her son’s suicide, underscores the devastating impact of Creon’s decisions on his family.
The Chorus: In Greek tragedy, the Chorus often acts as the voice of society or the general populace. In Antigone, the Chorus reflects on the events, commenting on the actions of the characters, offering moral insights, and expressing the broader themes of fate, divine law, and human suffering.
3. Themes in Antigone
Law vs. Morality
The central theme of Antigone revolves around the conflict between state law and divine law. Creon, as the ruler of Thebes, represents human law and order, believing that the needs of the state must be prioritized. Antigone, on the other hand, believes that the gods’ laws, particularly those concerning burial rites, must be followed above all else. The tension between these two perspectives—Creon’s emphasis on order and Antigone’s commitment to moral duty—is what drives the plot of the tragedy.
Fate and Free Will
Another prominent theme is the inevitability of fate. The family of Oedipus, including Antigone, is cursed, and much of the tragedy unfolds as the characters attempt to make choices within the bounds of fate. While characters like Creon believe in their ability to control their destinies, the tragic outcomes suggest the limits of human power and the prevalence of fate.
Family Loyalty vs. Civic Duty
Antigone’s loyalty to her brother Polynices and her desire to perform the burial rites reflect the strong Greek value of family. In contrast, Creon’s duty to the state requires him to act in ways that harm his family. The tragic events underscore the struggle between familial devotion and the responsibilities one has to society or the state.
Pride and Hubris
Both Antigone and Creon display hubris, or excessive pride, in their actions. Antigone’s pride in her moral stance prevents her from yielding to Creon’s authority, and Creon’s pride as a king leads him to refuse any compromise or mercy, even when presented with sound reasoning. In Greek mythology, such pride often leads to downfall, and this is true for both of these characters.
4. Legacy of Antigone
The story of Antigone has had a profound influence on Western literature and thought. The play is frequently studied as a classic example of tragedy, and its themes of law, morality, and family continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about ethics, justice, and civil disobedience. Antigone’s defiance and her willingness to die for her beliefs have made her an enduring symbol of resistance against unjust authority.
Throughout history, many have viewed Antigone as a feminist icon, as she challenges the patriarchy and acts according to her own moral compass, even in the face of extreme consequences. Her story has inspired a wide range of adaptations in literature, theater, and film, from Sophocles' play to modern reinterpretations, including works by Jean Anouilh and others.
Antigone’s story is one of timeless relevance. It delves into themes that remain central to the human experience: the tension between personal belief and societal law, the complexities of duty and loyalty, and the consequences of moral conviction. Through her tragic end, Antigone remains a powerful symbol of courage, defiance, and the eternal struggle between the human and the divine. Her legacy continues to be a subject of reflection and inspiration for generations of thinkers, artists, and activists.
