Antigone

Antigone was a story that reminded me of multitudes of other famous stories and events from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” to the actions of Gandhi and even Braveheart. I feel like the plot of the two lovers dying in the end can relate to that of “Romeo and Juliet”, but I say that she reminds me of Gandhi and Braveheart because of her willingness to go through so much and even risk death for her ideals and beliefs. Antigone was a very strong willed woman. She was very stubborn in her ideas and was set on what she planned to do. The three things that stood out to me about Antigone was her strong conviction, her courage, and her unselfishness.

She knew that Creon’s law stated that no one was to have a religious burial and that it was punishable by death. Antigone believed that a proper ceremonial burial consisted of the sprinkling of dust over the body. She wanted her dead brother to have the proper burial. Although her sister tried to convince her not to do it, she was determined to not let the laws of man govern the laws of her religion. This is very admirable. I used to be a Jehovah’s Witness when I was younger and I wasn’t permitted to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or even pledge allegiance to the United States. Growing up and constantly having to feel out of place because all the other kids were eating birthday cake or saying the pledge of allegiance every morning, I know how hard it is to try and do what you believe is right. Honestly, if the teacher said she was going to kill me if I didn’t eat the cake, I would definitely eat the cake, and that just shows how strong willed Antigone was. She didn’t fear the threat of death and that’s a quality that I wish I possessed.

When Antigone was captured, she had the courage to say directly to the king that she was guilty of breaking the law. She never lied to get out of trouble and she didn’t try to bring others down with her. Her sister Ismene said she was willing to join her and share her fate but Antigone denied her and made sure that only she was punished for her actions. Antigone was such a strong person and her determination to do what she felt was right is very admirable.