Antigone Pros And Cons

“They are dead, but the livings are worthy of death” (P56). The words, that indicate that Antigone ended her life in her own hands, are astonishing. Death is such a shame that the ‘world’, that is ruled by Creon, loses a powerful woman who is capable of rule breaking. As the saying goes in China for a long period of time, ‘better a living dog than a dead lion’, and every single person, including me, was told whenever someone’s mind is glutted by despair. Likewise, people who suicide are considered to be the ones who are weak in the deep of their hearts. Weakness provides the fear that prevents people from seeing and facing the reality, and caring about the people they love. However, Antigone has always been seen as a strong female, daring

Even Ismene, her sister strongly suggests her that she needs to calm down, and deeply considers the pros and cons, she still believes that the Creon-dominated justice system is horribly wrong. By expressing that ‘it seems fair to me to die doing it’ (P16), her motivation of treating the significance of the family as the priority is self-encouraged. Therefore, since the beginning, Antigone is always a stubborn woman. Beyond recklessness, she is actually brave enough to carrying out after knowing what is essential to her. This is a bravery that allows women to think independently, express their thoughts without covering up, and make their own choices, which is considered to happen rarely. In general, throughout the history, women tended to be more passive and unable to make decisions or choices. It is unusual that Antigone would choose to sacrifice for her brother, and also demonstrate the baseline of not obeying to anyone in terms of

“Which of the gods’ laws have I transgressed? Why should I still look to the gods in my happiness?” Antigone says, “in my case, by being pious, I have won for myself the rewards of impiety.” (P47) Before Antigone ends her life, she makes a speech about the importance, for her, to be able to set her unmatched sibling in peace. Even Creon announces that Polynices is guilty, for Antigone, Polynices is always forgivable and worthy of love. Antigone is undoubtedly an emotional, but intelligent woman. But, if Antigone didn’t choose to die, what options did she have? Throughout all of Antigone, the book, none of the women has the chance to make commands and decisions. On the other hand, Antigone could have accepted the convention of women’s weakness. However, because she didn’t, her motivation is noticed by the public. Therefore, Creon treats her like a threaten to the safety of the country and his own authority. After deciding to withstand the rules, Antigone’s choices become less and less, as there is more and more punishment being put upon