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Antigone

Published on Nov 20, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

ANTIGONE

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"And now you can prove what you are: A true sister, or a traitor to your family...
You must decide whether you will help me or not." (26-29)

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Antigone and her sister, Ismene, are arguing because the King, Creon, has declared that no one is allowed to bury the body of their brother, Polnieces. Antigone has decided to break the law and allow her brothers spirit to be released to the underworld. As she tells Ismene, they argue and Ismene tells Antigone to do it alone and that she's crazy.

"This is my command, and you can see the wisdom behind it. As long as I am King, no traitor is going to be honored with the loyal man. But whoever shows by word and deed that he is on the side of the State,-- he shall have my respect while he is living and my reverence when he is dead."

Photo by steev hise

This quote shows how stubborn and arrogant king Creon is. He makes a declaration that no one is to honor Polyneices, even though it's his nephew. Also, it sets the mood for the rest of the play since none of the tragic events would have occurred if he wasn't so stubborn. This quote is directly after he makes the law that sets the events in action and shows his thoughts on traitors.

"Well then; The dead man-- Polyneices-- out there-- someone,-- new dust on the slimy flesh! Someone has given it burial that way, and Gone ..."

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Against Creon's declaration, someone buried Polyneices. However since no one was caught while doing it, the guards are baffled. Most people are too scared to have buried Polyneices, but still agree it was the right thing to. Everyone is scared that Creon will blame them for the crime and the guards promise to work very hard to find the criminal.

"And you, Antigone, You with your head hanging-- do you confess this thing?

I do. I deny nothing." (350-352)

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Antigone is walked, bound, into the castle. The king is baffled, surely it can't be his beloved niece Antigone. He is confused and questions the guards. It comes out that she was caught returning to the body. When questioned she does not deny it and even admits she did it alone without her sister Ismene that tries to take the blame as well.

"Creon: Every word you say is for her!
Haimon: And for you. And for me. And for the gods under the earth.
Creon: You'll never marry her while she lives.
Haimon: Then she must die. -- but her death will cause another." (607-610)

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Haimon is the Kings son. He is the betrothed husband of Antigone. Even though he goes along with what his father says at first, it's a lie. When Haimon expresses his true feelings, they argue for a while, going back and forth calling each other childish and wrong. He doesn't want his fiancé to be killed and even goes so far as to threaten another life if Antigone is hurt.

"O Opedius, father and brother! Your marriage strikes from the grave to murder mine. I have been a stranger here in my own land: All my life the blasphemy of my birth has followed me." (697-700)

Photo by BenSpark

Antigone realizes that she has to die for her crime. She's come to terms with that, but that does not mean she's happy. She is down right furious and blames her dead parents. She rants about how her parents mistake is haunting her. Since her father is also her brother, she feels like the world cursed her whole life. Antigone whole heatedly believes that one mistake set her life up for ruin.

"Not many days, And your house will be full of men and women weeping, And curses will be hurled at you from far" (850-852)

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Creon has made his decision and Antigone has been sent off to a cave to die. Teiresias, a blind old prophet, comes and tries to convince Creon he's wrong. When Creon gets mad he starts insulting Teiresias. The prophet warns him of the upcoming grief and leaves when Creon refuses to change his mind.

"Go quickly: free Antigone from her vault And build a tomb for the body of Polyneices." (868-869)

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Soon after Teiresias leaves, Creon realizes how harsh and wrong he has been. He rushes out to free Antigone and finally bury he brother. But will he be in time to save her?

"And now he lies dead with the dead, and she is his At last, his bride on the houses of the dead." (975-976)

Photo by owenstr

Reaching the cave he finds his son holding Antigone. Her limp body rests on the ground as Haimon stands and stabs himself in the side. With his last seconds he kisses her cheek and holds her close... As the messenger recounts the days to Creon's wife, she weeps and afterwards retreats into the castle to kill herself.

"Lead me away. I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and my wife." (1034-1035)

Photo by jpockele

Creon is surrounded by death, and he finally realizes it's his fault. He is absolutely beside himself with grief. His son and wife both killed themselves because of his stubbornness and refusal to see others points of views. Pigheadedness can actually kill.

THE END