Antigone Sophocles' Antigone Has Been Widely Interpreted

Antigone Sophocles' Antigone has been widely interpreted as a play about a young woman's admirable courage of conviction. This rather straightforward interpretation is largely the result of a plot that revolves around Antigone's determination to honor her dead brother by giving him a proper burial, in spite of the King's edict that his corpse should be left to rot. Thus, Antigone's tragic fate is seen as the result of her laudable defiance of an unjust ruling rather than the result of a flaw in her own character.

However, on closer analysis, there is ground to argue that Sophocles' purpose was not to create a play on praiseworthy virtues but to highlight the fact that actions motivated by a lack of temperance and hubris inevitably lead to tragic consequences. The interpretation that Antigone is a morality play that focuses on the ideals of religion, honor and courage is perfectly understandable if viewed from the deontological perspective. Such a perspective would naturally evaluate Antigone's actions on the basis of the deed alone and not its consequence.

Accordingly, Antigone's clear desire to ensure that her brother, Polyneices, receives a proper burial in keeping with Greek religious belief would be seen as upholding the ideal of religion. For, as she says, "A sinless sinner, banned awhile on earth, / But by the dead commended .. The eternal laws of heaven." (73-76). In addition, Antigone's actions would be applauded as a sign of her courage and honor.

Indeed, this is indicated as much in Antigone's challenging Ismene: "So stands it with us; now 'tis thine to show / If thou art worthy of thy blood or base." (37-38) Thus, there does seem to be a great deal of validity in the view that Antigone is a play on morals.

However, the view that Antigone's character is innocent and above reproach can be challenged on the grounds that it is as important to consider the consequences of one's actions as it is to consider the rightness of a particular deed. On this score, it is apparent that Sophocles intended to portray Antigone as a person who is blind to all other considerations except for what she considers to be right in the name of family honor, courage, and God's law.

Indeed, this is indicated as much by Ismene's entreaty to Antigone that she should consider the need to protect the only two remaining members of Oedipus's family: "Bethink thee, sister, we are left alone; / Shall we not perish .. / If in defiance of the law we cross / a monarch's will? -- weak women, think of that ...." (57-60) Ismene's fondly addressing her sister as "rash" (39) is another indication that Antigone is not known for her forbearance in matters that she considers right.

As such, it is not surprising that Antigone walks her own path without considering that her defiance of Creon may end up harming her only living relative. Or, that her actions would end up causing pain to her betrothed and Creon's son, Haemon. As it turns out, Antigone ends up doing both. For, ultimately her one action in burying Polyneices causes a great deal of pain and trouble to the people who love her.

Ismene feels spurned when Antigone refuses to let her share her punishment and die with her, while Antigone's death causes Haemon to commit suicide as well. In fact, Antigone's words to Ismene, "Who did the deed the under-world knows well: / A friend in word is never friend of mine," (512-513) come through as full of hubris that she alone had the courage to bury Polyneices and take on the risk of inviting Creon's wrath.

Antigone does not seem to consider either Ismene's loyalty or courage in stepping forward to claim responsibility for an action that she had no part of. Instead, she seems intent on just heaping scorn, which is a sign of her arrogance and pride. Antigone's hubris and inability to look beyond her own judgment is also revealed in her final parting cry: "Look, puissant lords of Thebes, on me / The last of all your royal house ye see / Martyred by men of.