How should we regard the character Antigone? As prideful and reckless? As heroic? As an innocent victim of tyranny? As a martyr? As an idealist?

Antigone buries Polyneices regardless of the new laws set in place by Creon. As a consequence, she is sent to the wilderness to be locked in a room of stone where she eventually takes her own life. When the guard brings Antigone to Creon, she openly acknowledges that it is “True.” and “I [Antigone] admit it.” which presents her as reckless. Instead of even attempting to keep it a secret, Antigone takes responsibility and proudly confesses to her actions. We see that Antigone values family and regardless of the punishment, she acts according to what she believes is right. This can present her character as both reckless and heroic. She is heroic in the sense that she remains true to the Gods as well as her brother even through her death penalty. She can be further regarded as a martyr since she does what she thinks is right and she believes her death will allow her to honour and respect Polyneices. For example, she mentions that “The death penalty is almost a relief”. However, Antigone is additionally a victim of tyranny because she suffers the unfair and unjust punishment Creon gives her as he abuses his position of power. Without explanation, she accepts her death and resultantly can be regarded as a victim of Creon’s despotism. Finally, Antigone can also be regarded as an idealist due to what she believes is right or wrong. She blatantly disobeys Creon as she only stays true to the Gods.

 

Though Antigone provides us many opportunities to regard her in various ways. I believe she should be regarded as prideful and reckless. Willing to take responsibility for burying Polyneices showcases her prideful nature but at the same time committing the burial itself with knowledge of the law can seem reckless.

 

We are able to connect Antigone’s character to Aneeka from Home Fire. Similarly to Aneeka, Antigone is family-oriented and will do anything for them. We also see similarities since they both go to extremes to respect Parvaiz and Polyneices. However, certain characteristics are exaggerated in the play. For example, Aneeka is deeply loyal to Parvaiz and does everything in her power to try to bury him on his home soil but Antigone accepts death just to be with her brother. This may be due to the difference in settings but regardless, it is clear that compared to Isma and Ismene, Aneeka and Antigone represent impulsive characters that act on their instincts.