Juxtaposition In Antigone

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One could surely consider Antigone as a highly noble character as she is unwilling to compromise on her own ideals. On line 523 Antigone states, "My nature joins in friendship, not in enmity." Antigone's statement means more when considering the Greek idea of friendship as s fact of life between kin irregardless of personal sentiment. Antigone's quote highlights that she is willing to follow the rules set forth by the Gods even if she may have disagreed with Polynices' actions against Thebes. Antigone's unwillingness to compromise her beliefs toward what the gods require of her can again be seen in her statements in line 453-455 where she states, "nor did I think your proclamations had such strength that, mortal as you are, you could outrun those laws that …show more content…

Antigone plainly admits to burying Polynices in her statements on line 443 "I don't deny it; I admit the deed was mine." this plain honesty shows that she is willing to accept the consequences for action, and does not attempt to conceal the facts of her crime. Kreon even gives her a chance to claim she was unaware of his decree, but when given the chance to plead ignorance Antigone again openly claims she was aware of his decree. Antigone admits her knowledge to the decree in line 448 saying "I knew. How could I not? It was a public fact." strengthening her honesty, and emphasizing her nobility as she does not attempt to lie to avoid her own death. Antigone's traits mirror those of other contemporary Greek tragic heroes, like her own father Oedipus, which lead to their own downfall, but in Brueck's claim they are heroes because they know they cannot change fate yet they still try nobly. All of these factors lead me to agree with Brueck's contention that it is Sophocles' heroes refusal to be corrupted that make them

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