Antigone: Free Will and Destiny
Antigone: The Influence of Free Will and Destiny
Throughout Antigone, fate is responsible for many of the most devastating and critical events. The characters Antigone, Creon, Ismene, Haemon, and Tirasias experience many occasions that change their destiny, some events of which were predestined. It is frequently shown that fate and free will are intertwined. Each individual has a destiny, but it can be changed if they use their free will. Sophocle’s message is portrayed throughout the story through the actions of different characters. The individuals predestined fate and willingness to change it creates the series of events. By the choice of their actions, many of the characters in Antigone controlled their destiny, and affected it in both beneficial and detrimental ways. Antigone and Creon were two individuals that changed their future and destroyed their chances at happiness in life. After the death of Polyneices, Antigone performed a burial that was seen as honorable. Although after the body was uncovered, the second burial she performed on her brother was seen as dishonorable. This was changed because the second burial was done in order to spite Creon and get glory for exposing his wrongdoings. By performing the second burial Antigone’s honor was ruined and she was looked down upon for her actions (Sophocles, 71). Antigone, if she had only performed the first burial, would have been honored and not further punished by Creon for disobeying his laws. Later on Antigone also disrespects her family by showing disrespect to Ismene (Sophocles, 87). Further more, her destiny was changed when Antigone is hubristic to Creon. By personally attacking him instead of talking about the issue, she exacerbates the situation that leads to her demise. Antigone talks about how she believes Creon will go to hell for what he has done (Sophocles, 82). Although Antigone controls most of her destiny, she is predestined to a bad end. As seen in a prior story told by Sophocles, in
Throughout Antigone, fate is responsible for many of the most devastating and critical events. The characters Antigone, Creon, Ismene, Haemon, and Tirasias experience many occasions that change their destiny, some events of which were predestined. It is frequently shown that fate and free will are intertwined. Each individual has a destiny, but it can be changed if they use their free will. Sophocle’s message is portrayed throughout the story through the actions of different characters. The individuals predestined fate and willingness to change it creates the series of events. By the choice of their actions, many of the characters in Antigone controlled their destiny, and affected it in both beneficial and detrimental ways. Antigone and Creon were two individuals that changed their future and destroyed their chances at happiness in life. After the death of Polyneices, Antigone performed a burial that was seen as honorable. Although after the body was uncovered, the second burial she performed on her brother was seen as dishonorable. This was changed because the second burial was done in order to spite Creon and get glory for exposing his wrongdoings. By performing the second burial Antigone’s honor was ruined and she was looked down upon for her actions (Sophocles, 71). Antigone, if she had only performed the first burial, would have been honored and not further punished by Creon for disobeying his laws. Later on Antigone also disrespects her family by showing disrespect to Ismene (Sophocles, 87). Further more, her destiny was changed when Antigone is hubristic to Creon. By personally attacking him instead of talking about the issue, she exacerbates the situation that leads to her demise. Antigone talks about how she believes Creon will go to hell for what he has done (Sophocles, 82). Although Antigone controls most of her destiny, she is predestined to a bad end. As seen in a prior story told by Sophocles, in
Cited: Sophocles. (n.d.). Sophocles: The Three Theban Plays (R. Fagles, Trans.). New York, USA: The Penguin Group.