Reflection of “Antigone” by Joy Kirchhoff

  From what I have read and to my understanding of “Antigone”, the main character, Antigone symbolizes the strength, loyalty and breakdown of natural order and restoration of divine law. The two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices died fighting each other in trying to conquer the throne at Thebes. The new King Creon did not allow Polynices to receive a proper burial because Polynices committed treason against his city. Antigone wanted to have a proper burial for not just Eteocles but for Polynices as well. Antigone does not agree with Creon and states her belief that it’s not up to him to make these laws but to god. Antigone asks her sister, Ismene who likes to follow the rules to help her. She denied it and warned her what would happen if she did but did not stop her from doing it. So after Antigone secretly buries Polynices and Creon finds out he then wants to punish her. Ismene then tries to get involved and take the blame and penalty as well but Antigone does not allow her. In the end, Antigone was executed and immured in a cave, where she hanged herself. Her beloved, Haemon, son of Creon, committed suicide as well. 

    Tragedy is defined in the article as the “ultimate form of our innate delight in imitation.” Pity and fear are two different emotions. It provides different kinds of feelings to help form a tragedy. The actions of the characters are more important than the characters themselves. Even though tragedy is repulsive, it's good for the story. The fact that tragedy is "repulsive" isn't true sometimes, it’s warranted and can be used as a form of character development. Tragedy is a different perspective that we haven't experienced, therefore it is like looking into a window to a different world, as David Damrosch stated in the article, “What is World Literature”. The elements of having a plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle, and song create tragedy. Where the writer chooses to focus on the mostly good character where they can create a downfall. A tragic plot needs Reversal which is when the character has everything going right for them but something bad happens. Second is Recognition which is when the character finally realizes something and wants to take action. Third is Suffering which is what happens in the end where Antigone is exiled. Antigone fits Socrates’ definition of a tragedy because of the plot and the action taken in the story. Antigone had a family and everything was good then boom something unexpected happened, causing her to lose her loved ones. She did not agree with the rules, which is where she came to the realization that she had to do something to bring justice to her brother. After burying her brother, her downfall comes in because she was not allowed to bury Polyneices. After all, he attacked Thebes with a foreign army and that is against the law according to King Creon. In the end, it caused Antigone to lose her own life. Antigone is a tragedy because she stubbornly wanted to bury her brother without thinking about the consequences to herself or the others. Tragedy can be beautiful depending on the situation. Not all bad things indicate a tragedy, sometimes it could be good because of that person’s actions and their sacrifices to bring justice.