Antigone Paper

Heather Hopkins
Ms. Peifer
10 IB Hr. 5
25 November 2008

Antigone is guilty for performing the burial rights on her brother Polyneices. King Creon made it a law that no one was to touch Polyneices body. “If we defy the law and move against the king’s decree” (Sophocles 60-61). Also Polyneices was fighting against the city when he was at battle with Antigone’s other brother, Eteocles. There should be no question about this situation; Antigone is guilty for going and burying her brother. “Spreading thirsty dust onto the flesh and undertaking all appropriate rites.”(Sophocles 264-265). Although Antigone did not bury Polyneices underground she did bury him just enough though so that his spirits won’t haunt the area around him.
When the King declares a new law it should be followed just like all the other laws. Antigone had gone and performed a sacred ritual for a person who wanted to take control over Thebes, even if it meant killing his own brother. What kind of a man deserves to be given his burial rights after he has killed his brother? Antigone should be ashamed of herself, for she has disgraced her family even more than it needs to be. Antigone was even aware of the new law set forth by Creon. Antigone was even told right before she went to perform the burial on her brother Polyneices. Antigone was told by Ismene, Antigone’s sister, who Antigone had asked to come with. Ismene was loyal to the king though and did not go and break the law. Antigone should be exiled from Thebes as her punishment.



Works Cited
Sophocles. "Antigone."The Internet Classic Archive. Trans. R.C. Jobb. 04 Oct 2000. Classics.mit.edu. 25 Nov. 2008