Antigone: An Interpretive Analysis on Conflicting Authority

Antigone: An interpretive analysis on conflicting authority

Unlike poetic forms of literature, which do not require a conflict or a resolution in order to work, drama requires both elements in order to be successful. In Sophocles’ famous play, Antigone, it was conflict that drove the story along and it was the resounding resolution that left audiences with a gratifying feeling that hasn’t faltered for centuries. While the roles of both elements are indisputably important to the success of any play, however, there is still much disagreement among literary critics concerning the central conflict of Antigone. Some critics, such as Robin Fox, speculate that the main conflict is the struggle between family loyalty and “kinship rights of burial” (Allbaugh para. 5). Still others believe that the central conflict is the will of the individual verses the will of the State (DeWitt 1). While there is considerable merit to what these critics say, however, the ultimate conflict in Antigone is arguably the struggle between the will of the mortals, the will of the State, and the will of the gods.

Collectively, these points of conflict stem chiefly from three characters: Antigone, Ismene and Creon. The key here is to realize that the characters are literary symbols. Antigone—who is generally considered the protagonist of the play—primarily represents the true will of the gods expressed through well established tradition. While it is made clear that every fiber of Antigone’s humanity believes her brother (Polyneices) should be buried, her extreme reaction to Creon’s edict, coupled with a troubling scene in which Antigone claims “she would not make the same sacrifice for a husband or children” (Allbaugh para. 4), strongly hints that she is fa...

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...ile these three points of conflict stem from a variety of sources and situations, however, it is clear that Ismene, Creon, and Antigone are literary symbols which embody the core of this conflict. While there is still much contention among literary critics and experts, however, neither of the two predominant interpretations has successfully tied up all of Antigone’s loose ends.

Works Cited

Allbaugh, Thomas. "An overview of Antigone." n.d.

Antigone. By Sophocles.

Connolly, William E. "The human predicament." Social Research (2009).

DeWitt, Norman W. "Character and Plot in the Antigone." Classical Journal March 1917.

Works Cited

Allbaugh, Thomas. "An overview of Antigone." n.d.

Antigone. By Sophocles.

Connolly, William E. "The human predicament." Social Research (2009).

DeWitt, Norman W. "Character and Plot in the Antigone." Classical Journal March 1917.