Intial Thoughts on Antigone

Antigone by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, via Lopez Museum & Library

I was really captivated by the story of Antigone. What stuck out to me the most was how strong and powerful the character of Antigone truly was. Things become bad for her when Creon discovers that she had been the one to bury Polynices. While this was something that the king had forbid, Antigone disobeyed his order because that was her brother. It is hard enough to experience death once, but to have both of your siblings die at the same time, even if she wasn't necessarily close to them, is much worse. It became important for Antigone to honor Polynices by giving him a proper burial because no one else showed any care to him. Her strength is further proved by her decision to choose death instead of giving up on her brother. Something that, if I were in her shoes, I am not sure I would be able to do.

Additionally, I found interest in the ending and the domino effect that Antigone's hanging caused. Haemon's act of stabbing himself after hearing of Antigone's death and then laying by her body makes it seem like he had a lot more love for her then she had for him. Antigone did not give a second thought to ending her relationship with Haemon, while he killed himself instantly after her which makes it seem like he could not live without her.