Antigone Quote Analysis
In this quote, Antigone provides an insight into her reasoning and defiance of Creon’s law. The recurring comparison of man’s versus the god’s law is addressed. Man’s law is only temporary and varies from leader to leader, however, the god’s laws have been unwavering throughout the ages. Antigone recognizes that she may suffer death as the consequence of defying men, but innumerably worse punishments and suffering if she fails to obey the gods. Eventually every human is going to die, however, some are given peace by accepting this fate while others are fearful. The difference between each response is where an individual places their faith, in God or in the earth. Antigone is one of the first individuals. She has no fear
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In Greek mythology, if an individual was punished by the gods, their offspring and the entire family line would often suffer. Similarly, Oedipus’s children suffer the weight of his reputation and curse. Both sons came to desire power and, trusting in their own strength, came to destroy each other and themselves, just like their father. The enemy god in this quote can represent two different ideas. First, it could mean an actual god, Zeus or Apollo whose rage is directed to the family line because of a sin in the past. This explains Oedipus’ curse and fate. Conversely, the “enemy god” could also be human pride. Such arrogance in mortals is both an enemy of the gods and leads to man’s compulsive rage. Now Antigone and Ismene are the remaining children in Oedipus’ line, the last flower. They are still young and have just begun to drink the sunlight of life on earth; the sunlight in Thebes, the city of the sun god. Antigone is also the first in Oedipus’ line whose faith in the gods, overrules her allegiance to man. She is drinking the sunlight of the gods' truth. However, now, if executed, Antigone will wither and close up to the world when she dies. All that it took to tarnish her life and bring it to its end were passionate words and a handful of dust. It is odd that such small, good acts would bring about the end of cursed Oedipus’ line but perhaps the end of the family is a means of peace and the gods reward to Antigone for her
In Greek mythology, if an individual was punished by the gods, their offspring and the entire family line would often suffer. Similarly, Oedipus’s children suffer the weight of his reputation and curse. Both sons came to desire power and, trusting in their own strength, came to destroy each other and themselves, just like their father. The enemy god in this quote can represent two different ideas. First, it could mean an actual god, Zeus or Apollo whose rage is directed to the family line because of a sin in the past. This explains Oedipus’ curse and fate. Conversely, the “enemy god” could also be human pride. Such arrogance in mortals is both an enemy of the gods and leads to man’s compulsive rage. Now Antigone and Ismene are the remaining children in Oedipus’ line, the last flower. They are still young and have just begun to drink the sunlight of life on earth; the sunlight in Thebes, the city of the sun god. Antigone is also the first in Oedipus’ line whose faith in the gods, overrules her allegiance to man. She is drinking the sunlight of the gods' truth. However, now, if executed, Antigone will wither and close up to the world when she dies. All that it took to tarnish her life and bring it to its end were passionate words and a handful of dust. It is odd that such small, good acts would bring about the end of cursed Oedipus’ line but perhaps the end of the family is a means of peace and the gods reward to Antigone for her