Antigone’s main conflict centers around someone’s deep regard. The respect for the laws and gods must be greater than the law of man. This conflict arose because Thebes residents are used to living peacefully. The battle against Argive begins as Thebes’ people continue to live their peaceful lives. The war ended in victory for the Thebans over the Argive Army. Thebans’ dead are buried according to tradition. Creon, Theban King of Thebans, decides that a law will not allow disloyal Thebans buried. Antigone, Creon’s niece, is not happy with this new law. Antigone will have to deal with this problem, since she follows higher moral rules than the Theban laws.
Antigone continues to attempt to bury her brother Polyneices even though Creon makes it illegal for anyone to bury disloyal Thebans. Creon had stated that anyone who burys any disloyal Theban will be killed. Creon believes the laws that man makes are better than the laws that God makes. He believes everyone should obey the laws, regardless of their gender. Creon’s son Haemon, Antigone’s fiancée, and Antigone’s son, Haemon, asks Creon for a change in his rule. Creon is still stubborn and will not change his decision until it’s too late. Antigone is full of symbolism. Creon continues to refuse to accept Antigone’s actions. Antigone (the protagonist in the conflict) and Creon (the antagonists) also contain symbolism. Antigone’s motivations are impulsive and driven by family. She represents nature. Creon, on contrary, is driven primarily by integrity ofpolis and calculates his action. He represents human made institutions and seeks the support of official God and Goddess of State.
Antigone is a heroic figure because she did not listen to Theban rules that prohibited anyone from burying disloyal Thebans. She was a great honor to Polyneices, her brother. In the story, her character showed that she was not going to abandon Polyneices’. She was strong and didn’t listen to Creon, her uncle. She proved to be a formidable force, going against the wishes of King Creon. She didn’t give up, no matter what the odds were. Because no one wanted her to assist her in burying her brother, she did it all alone. Antigone was rebuked for going against the king’s order. Even though she faced backlash and the possibility of facing the death penalty for her actions, she chose to care and buried brother. Antigone is a hero for her courage in dealing with the death penalty, backlash and shunning.
