Quote: "That final justice that rules the world below makes no such laws" --Antigone pg. 896
Antigone says this after she is caught for burying her brother. She has defyed the law set out by Creon. She believes that certain laws must be broken in order for true justice to occur. She thinks that it would be wrong to leave her brother unburied, so she has to purposely disobey orders. This quote relates to a major theme of the book in the fact that certain religions and beliefs follow different pathways and rules then the laws set out for them to obey. In our society they are separated from what is right and what is wrong. The ultimate decision for someone in Antigiones shoes would be to decide if breaking the law for their own personal beliefs worth it. In this case Antigione decides to go ahead and bury her brother no matter the consequences, even though she is disobeying the laws set forth by Creon.
Quote: "But I know, I’ll please the ones I’m duty bound to please" -Antigone (line 110)
Antigone says this to Ismene after Ismene refuses to help her bury their brother. Antigone says that one should follow the laws of the Gods; "the ones she is duty bound to please". Ismene is convinced that one must follow the laws set down by the state and is afraid for Antigone for going against Creon. However, Antigone is sure that her sole will be saved by the Gods for giving her brother a proper burial. This is an ongoing issue through the pla
Quote: "It is the dead, Not the the living, who make the longest demands: We die for ever..."P887
This quote was when Antigone was talking to Ismene about her brother who died and how he still wants to be buried with pride and even though he is dead he still makes demands that more consequential to the living for Antigone was punished harshly for wanting to bury her brother.
"What things I suffer, and at what men's hands, because I would not transgress the laws of heaven." -Antigone pg. 906
Here Antigone laments at the fact that she is to be put to death because she refused to break the laws of her religion. The law of her State was conflicting with the law of her religion and she chose to follow the religious law, incurring the penalty of death as decreed by her king. She makes a statement that her punishment comes at the hands of men, not the hands of her gods and she is astonished that she can be punished for burying her dead brother, an act the gods clearly deem as favorable. Ultimately she knows that if she breaks the laws of the state she may be punished in this life, but if he breaks the laws of her gods she will be punished for eternity.
"Choragos: God moves swiftly to cancel the folly of stubborn men... Creon: The laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them to the last day of his life!" (910).
Here Choragos is telling Creon to free Antigone. This quote deals with the theme of the laws of the gods/nature vs. the laws of man. The laws of man are lacking in justice and so sometimes one must go against these laws, Antigone, to follow the laws of the gods to bring justice and caring to the world (burying Polyneices). Creon says that the laws of the gods and nature prevail over the laws of man for they have justice and love and the common good included in the content.
Quote: "And yet as mens hearts know, I have done no wrong, I have not sinned before God. Or if I have, I shall know the truth in death. But if the guilt lies upon Creon who judged me, then, I pray, may his punishment equal my own" (906).
This statement is the basic principal of the entire play. Antigone is stating that God's law will always be above mans law and given the choice between the two she would always choose God over man. In this process she is also cursing Creon (which is questionable for the modern moral person) and sentencing him to always wonder whether or not he had been right in condemning her. Well it turned out that his death was swifter than originally thought about so he realized his pride had taken control fairly quickly. -Kristy Cottle
"You have passe beyond human daring and come at last into a place of stone where Justice sits." -Chorus pg. 905
This quote is said by the chorus to Antigone after she is found guilty of burying her brother against the law. This qoute explains that by breaking the law becuase of her own beliefs, Antigone has entered into a place that no one dares go. It is in this place that justice can be found. However since no one else dares go there, Antigone cannot be given justice and therefore is killed for her actions. I think that this is one of the underlying themes in the play, the value of doing what you believe vs. following the law. Also it reflects the idea that justice can never be found.
Quote: "I intend to give my brother burial. I'll be glad to die in the attempt,--if it's a crime, then it's a crime that God commands."
Antigone says this when she is trying to convince Ismene to help her bury their brother. However, Ismene is hesitant to disobey the law put in place by Creon. Antigone is determined to give her brother a proper burial because it follows the word of the Gods. This connects to a larger theme in the book of determining whether Antigone or Creon is correct. Antigone values her religion over the laws of the state, whereas Creon believes that the laws of the state are superior. In the end of the play, its seems like Antigone is shown as having the correct belief because she dies an honorable death at the hands of an evil king. However, Creon's actions result in the death of his son and wife, which shows the importance of adhering to religious beliefs.
Teiresias says this to Creon when he is telling him that he should stop with what he is trying to do to antigone. Teiresias doesn't think that Creon should kill her then take her sister who didn't have anything to do with it and put her into a tomb with just a little bit food. The main reason for Creon wanting to punish the girls is because of his pride. he wants to show off his power and send a message that anyone who tries to betray his orders will not go unpunished. Creon ends up not doing any of this when he is told that a plague that will come to the city.
"It is the dead, Not the the living, who make the longest demands: We die for ever..."P887
This is in the early part of the play when Atigone is talking to Ismene about burying their brother. So this quote really puts the audience in the mind set that the play is going to be about the law of the Gods vs. the laws of man. Which at the the time frame this play was written would have been a big deal to the audience with many parrallel's to their own society at the time.
Creon "Lead me away, a foolish man, who, my son, killed you(1340) not wanting to, and you too, poor wretch, I do not know which to look upon where I should lean. For all business in hand is dead, an unbearable fate has leapt into my head." (1345)
This is at the very end of the play. Creon is talking about how after everyone he loves has died he has nothing left. This "unbearable fate" would have come to him no matter what he had done. Creon made the law that no one could be barried so if he didn't punish Antigone than everyone would not have taken him seriously, but becuase he did punish her he now lost his son as well. He has to consider his decision through out the whole play and in the end he ends up alone. This is an example as how a every decision you make can effect you and you should take the "fate" of each decision in to consideration before you deside what to do.
Quote: "ANTIGONE I will do my part,-and thine, if thou wilt not,-to a brother. False to him will I never be found." --Antigone
Throughout the play, I thought that the relationships within the family were a little odd. It seems to me Antigone isn't quite certain of where she belongs or what decisions she sould make. You can tell during the conversation with her sister, that she seems to be a little deceitful. A common theme I noticed was the lack of trust in other characters and deicision making. Keeping isolated or hiding things from family members always come back in the end to hit twice as hard. There lifestyle is so different but yet the same in so many ways that we live today.
antigone:I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever. But if thou wilt, be guilty of dishonouring laws which the gods have stablished in honour.
Antigone says that he is "sinless in his crime" because he owes his allegiance to the dead rather than the living. In the book this is the main issue. While Creon feels that it is most important to honor those now living, and follow the rules, Antigone feels that it is more important to have a proper honorable burial for her brother. She talks about the gods, and this is another aspect that comes up in the text. Antigone feels that it is important to bury her brother because if he is not his soul will never rest, and he does not deserve this punishment. However, Creon believes that Antigone's brother has dishonored the gods as well as his city. Later Creon comes to find that perhaps he has been to rash in his decision, but he believed that the rules that he lived by on earth are more important that the rules of family and honor.
"Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the gods must be inviolate. Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise."
This quote ends the play and summarizes Antigone's message. The folly of Creon is that he disobeys the gods in pride. He is "taught" through his punishment of losing both his wife and son. Being an infallible ruler is not as important as obeying the rules of your religion, and that is why Antigone is not wrong in giving her brother a burial. Creon should have delcared his law void after hearing that the people thought it was unjust and after his son said he would kill himself if Antigone died.
Quote: " I dared. It was not God's proclamation. that final justice that rules the world below makes no such laws. Your edict, King, was strong, But all your stength is weakness itself against the immortal unrecorded laws of God. They are not merely now: they were, and shall be, Operative for ever, beyond man utterly". ~Anitgone
Anitgone says this to Creon after she is caught for giving her brother a rightful burial. In order to burry her brother she has to go against Creon's decree that he should not be given a proper burial and that is his punishment for trying to take over. However Antigone being a strong believer for what the gods had inteded to happen goes against this and gets caught. Afterwhich she denys nothing and insists that if she is out to death for her actions then she wants to die. " Think death less then a friend? This death of mine is of no importantce; but if i had left my brother lying in death unburied, I should have suffered. Now i do not." This quote relates to the major theme of the book in that a law was put out that went against the laws of God and Antigone believes that if she hadnt gone against it that she would be tainted in the eyes of God.
This quote depicts Creon's stubborn personality. Throughout this piece he is constantly deflecting the views of others and making the city abide by his rules and beliefs only. While Antigone believes that she has the right to properly bury her brother, Creon believes that she is disobeying the rules he has set forth and must be put to death. The quote is important to the work as a whole because there is a constant conflict between man's sometimes unjust word and what is truly the right thing to do.
"My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards—but I am a queen!"- Antigone
This quote demonstrates that although Antigone has rebelled, she has power over Creon. After Creon asks in what name she is rebelling for, her external motivations are made null and void. She has no reason to fight until death, but her desire overcomes her and the reasons mean nothing. This desire is what keeps her fighting, taking over her and putting her personal needs before the laws. This quote also may refer to the fact that although Creon may be "winning" physically through the guards and following the laws, Antigone is in actuality a "queen" because she stuck to her convictions and stayed true to her family.
"Let me premise a word about myself? I neither did the deed nor saw it done, Nor were it just that I should come to harm." -Guard The Guard is about to bring bad news to Creon; the news that Antigone has disobeyed his decree and buried her brother. The guard speaks out of fear, as he constantly repeats the fact that he shouldn't be punished for being the messenger. It is clear to him that as the bearer of bad news, he might be ostracized or killed. A big theme in the novel is the feat over fear. Antigone crosses the line of fear when she objects Creons rule and gives her brother respect. Haimon conquers his fear of his father when he defies him and says that he believes Antigone is right in her decision and that he chooses to marry her.
I do them no dishonour; but to defy the State,-I have no strength for that. -Ismene
This quote is important and develops a theme around the fact that the government is the highest power in this day in age and no one would dare "defy the state." She does not dishonor her parents but she can not go against the government even if her parents wanted her too. This is because if you were to do something horrid against the government you would forever live in debt of what you did and everyone in the town will know about it.
Once people start finding out what Creon is to do to Antigone, Teiresias says this quote to Creon. Teiresias seems to be the calm one throughout the play with the right morals all along. Teiresias believe that Creon should not kill her, and then take her sister. Her sister had nothing to do with the plan for Antigone.Creon is too stuck up and relying on his pride to tell him what to do.
"And what law of heaven have I transgressed? Why, hapless one, should I look to the gods any more,-what ally should I invoke,-when by piety I have earned the name of impious? Nay, then, if these things are pleasing to the gods, when I have suffered my doom, I shall come to know my sin; but if the sin is with my judges, I could wish them no fuller measure of evil than they, on their part, mete wrongfully to me."
This is when Antigone is talking about how she had broken the law of trying to give her brother a proper burial and how she now is unsure of whether or not she has actually broken any laws set by the gods (aka divine law). She then rambles on about how she would deal with what she did if the gods didn't like it, but then she mentions how if she indeed was right and upheld a law that was "higher up" than the laws laid down by Creon and the state, that she would wish no mercy on them from the wrath of the gods for wrongfully punishing her. This reinforces the main theme of whether there are laws that are more important than civil laws enforced by a particular state/country.
“My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards—but I am a queen!” -Antigone
Although Antigone just had her major confrontation with Creon she still knows her place and what she must to have her pride. This quote explains a lot of the characters morals and idea of how they want to live in their life. Just like Creon Antigone has self pride and won’t give that up because of a law that was made. She will not give up fighting for proper burial of her brother and there for is stuck in her ways and won’t protect herself for someone who has already passed away. This reoccurring theme is brought up in Creon’s character because although he knows what he is doing is wrong and even his wife doesn’t believe in him anymore he still goes about thinking this is what he must do because he is king.
"Alas, my son, thou hast died in thy youth, by a timeless doom, woe is me!-thy spirit hath fled,-not by thy folly, but by mine own!"
Here, Creon laments of his misfortunes and his own pride and arrogance. This play is centered around the theme that ones own self-assurance will lead to doom and downfall. Creon claims that it was his own mistake and foolishness (folly) that led to the death of his son (Haemon). At last, at the last stroke, Creon admits that he is to blame and requests for his own death, after killing his own son and Antigone.
"If thus thou speakest, thou wilt have hatred from me, and will justly be subject to the lasting hatred of the dead. But leave me, and the folly that is mine alone, to suffer this dread thing; for I shall not suffer aught so dreadful as an ignoble death." -Antigone
Antigone is emphasizing his belief that it is more important to be truthful and loyal to the rules of the God's than to stay alive. He is willing to risk his life and suffer for the justice and obey the laws.
"CREON And thou didst indeed dare to transgress that law?
ANTIGONE Yes; for it was not Zeus that had published me that edict; not such are the laws set among men by the justice who dwells with the gods below; nor deemed I that thy decrees were of such force, that a mortal could override the unwritten and unfailing statutes of heaven. For their life is not of to-day or yesterday, but from all time, and no man knows when they were first put forth.
Not through dread of any human pride could I answer to the gods for breaking these..."
This rather longer quote I think states well one very large theme and a slightly less major theme, this shows Antigone's stand on her religious beliefs when in conflict with the law of the state, it also shows her contempt for Creon's pride in making such a law.
Quote: "I scorn them not, but to defy the State or break her ordinance I have no skill."
Ismen says this to Antigone to tell her that she did not know whose side to take, her sister's or the government's. She did not know if she wanted to bury her brother like the gods commanded or stay away from the corpse. This shows that Ismene is weak compared to Antigone. Ismene doesn't want to rebel and she is not ready to face the consequences if she respected her brother. However, Antigone is will to sacrifice herself to do what she thinks it right.
Quote: "Every kind of stillness. The hush when the executioner's ax goes up at the end of the last act. The unbreathable silence when, at the beginning of the play, the two lovers, their hearts bared, their bodies naked, stand for the first time face to face in the darkened room, afraid to stir"-Chorus
I think that this quotation is very important in Antigone because it is one of the many quotes that shows how knowledgeable the chorus is about the happenings in the play. This quote in particular shows how the chorus interprets the execution, in a sense of sadness and stillness. Without the chorus and the quotes that they interpret, I think that the play would be harder to interpret and that many readers would be led astray from the text.
"My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards — but I am a queen!" - Antigone
I thought this quote was very powerful because although Antigone looks beaten up, she is actually proving her strength. She was not defeated and states this by saying that she is still a queen. Antigone knows what she wants and is not showing that she will let nothing stand in her way.
"Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise"
I think this quote is really important to the play as a whole, because it gives a really good summary of the message that Antigone is trying to get across to Creon. Because he didn't follow the proper rules of his religion, and was so ignorant and 'prideful' he must pay and be punshied--by the loss of his wife and son. The punishment is meant to teach him to be wiser about his actions.
"What’s the glory in killing a dead person one more time?" Teiresias 1145
Teiresias is trying to get across to Creon that there is no point in dishonoring Polyneices any further. Dead men can't do anything harm to anybody but Creon is still waging war by not burying him properly. Teiresias sees this as a pointless fight that will only bring scorn and hate to Creon. There is nothing to gain so why fight. This quote relates to the major theme that all men are equal in death wheter they were kings, peasants, or traitors. They all deserve the same rights as decreed by the gods. Creon is not only fighting Polyneices corpse, but the gods who are way more powerful.
Quote: Then lead me please away, A rash, weak, foolish man, a man of sorrows, who killed you, son, so blindly and you my wife-so blind. Where can I look" Where hope for help, when everything I touch is lost and death has leapt upon my life? - Last quote of Creon.
At the end of all Creon's fighting, he has only accomplished the death of his son and wife. The moral here is that you can't let your battles interfere with the ones you love because a man or woman can hurt or distroy them. Creon finally regets his mistakes and really doesn't see any reason to go on solo. This has happened before to people and will continue to happen to people, so people need to regard others instead of just themselves.
Quote: " A state for one man is no state at all." Haimon.
This quote is in the middle of Haemon and Creon's argument. Haemon started by siding with his father, until his father proves all he has is his stubborn pride. Creon believes that everything he has done and has ordered to be followed through is the right thing. He no longer takes in other peoples beliefs he chooses based off his entirely. Haemon says this quote to his father in hopes of proving that he as king has taken his power too far, and that he will continue to rule by following his beliefs, then the state is doomed to fail.
"I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever. But if thou wilt, be guilty of dishonouring laws which the gods have stablished in honour."
Antigone is talking about how she would rather die in service to her brother than to follow Creon's law. She believes that one can only be guilt when one goes agains the laws of the gods. She sees it as her duty as a pious indivdual to go and bury her brother's corpse rather than to leave him for the dogs. She also talks about how people are dead longer than they are alive which means you owe more allegiance to the dead than to the living.
"Nay, be what thou wilt; but I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that. I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever." (Antigone)
This is an important quote that shows what Antigone is thinking as she asks her sister, Ismene, to help her bury their brother, Polyneices. When Ismene refuses, Antigone replies that she has more of a connection with the dead and doesn't care is she dies herself. This is only the beginning of Antigone's complete willingness to do whatever she has to so her brother is buried respectively.
Say that I’m mad, and madly let me risk. The worst that I can suffer and the best: a death that martyrdom can render blest -Antigone
Antigone is trying to show that Creon's rule is immoral and unjust. She is willing to risk her life to prove that. She, unlike her sister, and the courage to defend her beliefs. She then gets caught in the act, and does not try to deny anything. She willingly accepts the punishment for her actions.
Haemon "Father, the gods implant in mortal men reason, the choicest gift bestowed by heaven. 'Tis not for me to say thou errest, nor would I arraign thy wisdom, if I could; and yet wise thoughts may come to other men and, as thy son, it falls to me to mark the acts, the words, the comments of the crowd."
Haemon in a kind way tries to tell Creon that he his wrong in how he rules and that the people do not really like him. They are afraid to come forth and say it. As Creons son Haemon thinks he can change Creons corrupt mind. Haemon acts as the voice of the people in hopes that the king will see the mistakes he has made as a ruler. Creon fails to see that the people dont agree with him, and that they are put under too much pressure to say there true opinion.
Quote: Antigone stated that, "It is my nature to join in love, not hate" (897).
Antigone feels that what she did was the right thing to do, was to join in love, but not hate. Although her brother was a traitor to their country, it was her nature to join in love. Her love to be joined for her brother was the essential part of the play, because without her trying to join in love, there would not be a tradgic beginning nor an end to the play. She was the real hero of the play whom seeks to rejoin the love they had once have for her brother, and a way for her to make sure her brother die in peace once after all.
"HAEMON In nothing that is not right; but if I am young, thou shouldest look to my merits, not to my years."
I think this is important because if Creon had listened to his son instead of his ego, he would have seen reason. Crean took his own ideals too far, and put his own decrees above those of the gods, and brought upon himself the wrath they had given him.
I think Haemon gives a good point. That even though his age makes him not as credible, his merits should. I believe a person at any age should be taken seriously. Their arguments may have faults from immaturity but their points and arguments can still be valid.
"For once a family is cursed by God, disasters come like earthquake tremors, worse with each succeeding generation."
In this quotation made by the Chorus in Antigone, they are referring to Oepidus and his family. The Chorus is explaining their thought on the horrors and tragedies that have affected Oedipus' family.
" My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your gaurds - but I am queen! "
I think to start with the most major part of this quote is the "I am queen" part. It is a statement that really shows Antigone is a queen because of her choice to stay true to her family and stay true to what she believes in. She will not give up on getting a proper burial for her brother. Also in the rest of the quote it shows even though she rebelled and it was considered bad she has power over creon, becuase of her need and desire, she keeps fighting. She puts her own needs over the law.
"will not urge thee,-no nor, if thou yet shouldst have the mind, wouldst thou be welcome as a worker with me. Nay, be what thou wilt; but I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that."-Antigone
Antigone was still going to bury her brother with or without Ismene. This quote shows that. I also think that if Ismene had not even been present in the play that Antigone still would have done everything the same. I also feel that Creon's wife did not make mush of a difference or a significant role in the play. So her absence would not have mattered.
This is a quote from Theresias to his father Creon. This quote states the main theme of the play. Pride is one of the most dangerous of all crimes. Creons pride of not letting himself give in to the people even though he knew that they were right is what drove his son and wife to their ultimate demise. When Theresias has his argument with his father he states that the people if the city are upset and belive that the law is unjust and it goes against holy law. Creon is too proud and does not change his law because he believes that it may show that he is a coward and is a backtraker. This pride causes Antigone to her death and this starts the chain reaction of Theresias' and Creon's wife's deaths.
"I will do my part,-and thine, if thou wilt not,-to a brother. False to him will I never be found."
Here Antigone is speaking to her sister Ismene about burying her brother. These two characters show two different laws that are trying to be enforced at the same time. The laws of the Gods and the laws of the kings. Ismene believes that she should not bury her brother because the king commanded that no one do so. However, Antigone believes that he needs to be buried to set his soul at peace with the Gods. This shows her loyalty to her brother and that she is willing to sacrifice herself to save him.
"ISMENE Bethink thee, sister, of our father's fate, Abhorred, dishonored, self-convinced of sin, Blinded, himself his executioner. Think of his mother-wife (ill sorted names) Done by a noose herself had twined to death And last, our hapless brethren in one day, Both in a mutual destiny involved, Self-slaughtered, both the slayer and the slain. Bethink thee, sister, we are left alone; Shall we not perish wretchedest of all, If in defiance of the law we cross A monarch's will?--weak women, think of that, Not framed by nature to contend with men. Remember this too that the stronger rules; We must obey his orders, these or worse. Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat The dead to pardon. I perforce obey The powers that be. 'Tis foolishness, I ween, To overstep in aught the golden mean."
This quote is Ismene trying to convince Antigone to not break the law to bury their brother, and explains the terrible things that happened ot their father and she fears that this curse will cause them to perish in a similiar fashion and she does not wish to lose her entire family, being that they are the only two left. This paragraph gives the most about Ismene in the entire play, being that she doesn't appear again. It is very interesting how Sophocles sets up this character here. It works both for Ismene, but creates a setting for Antigone also.
"But I know, I'll please the ones I'm duty bound to please"
This quote is from Antigone to Ismene. Ismene refuses to break the laws of the state, even if it means breaking the laws of the Gods when it comes to burying their bother. Antigone is convince that her sole will be saved as long as she obeys the laws of the Gods. This is the starting issue of the play.
"Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise."
This quote seems to wrap up the story as a whole. In this quote Antigone lectures Creon the reason why Creon lost his wife and son because he broke the rules of his religion and let his pride take priority. Antigone told him he was chasticed (by loosing his wife and son) because of his rude and ignorant ways. The punishments purpose is to instruct him to be wiser in the future and show him he must follow the rules.
As we read through Antigone the most prominent theme was that of will power vs. the laws and will of the gods. It is stated right in the opening prologue by Antigone when she says "you may do as you like, since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you."(887) to Ismene. Throughout the rest of the book there are arguments, chiefly between Creon and others, debating the will of the gods. It is largely agreed that the gods must be obeyed in all things. But it is folly to believe that you, a mortal, can know what the gods truly want and that is what ruined Creon and his family.
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Quote: "That final justice that rules the world below makes no such laws"
--Antigone pg. 896
Antigone says this after she is caught for burying her brother. She has defyed the law set out by Creon. She believes that certain laws must be broken in order for true justice to occur. She thinks that it would be wrong to leave her brother unburied, so she has to purposely disobey orders. This quote relates to a major theme of the book in the fact that certain religions and beliefs follow different pathways and rules then the laws set out for them to obey. In our society they are separated from what is right and what is wrong. The ultimate decision for someone in Antigiones shoes would be to decide if breaking the law for their own personal beliefs worth it. In this case Antigione decides to go ahead and bury her brother no matter the consequences, even though she is disobeying the laws set forth by Creon.
Quote: "But I know, I’ll please the ones I’m duty bound to please"
-Antigone (line 110)
Antigone says this to Ismene after Ismene refuses to help her bury their brother. Antigone says that one should follow the laws of the Gods; "the ones she is duty bound to please". Ismene is convinced that one must follow the laws set down by the state and is afraid for Antigone for going against Creon. However, Antigone is sure that her sole will be saved by the Gods for giving her brother a proper burial. This is an ongoing issue through the pla
Quote: "It is the dead, Not the the living, who make the longest demands: We die for ever..."P887
This quote was when Antigone was talking to Ismene about her brother who died and how he still wants to be buried with pride and even though he is dead he still makes demands that more consequential to the living for Antigone was punished harshly for wanting to bury her brother.
"What things I suffer, and at what men's hands, because I would not transgress the laws of heaven." -Antigone pg. 906
Here Antigone laments at the fact that she is to be put to death because she refused to break the laws of her religion. The law of her State was conflicting with the law of her religion and she chose to follow the religious law, incurring the penalty of death as decreed by her king. She makes a statement that her punishment comes at the hands of men, not the hands of her gods and she is astonished that she can be punished for burying her dead brother, an act the gods clearly deem as favorable. Ultimately she knows that if she breaks the laws of the state she may be punished in this life, but if he breaks the laws of her gods she will be punished for eternity.
"Choragos: God moves swiftly to cancel the folly of stubborn men...
Creon: The laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them to the last day of his life!" (910).
Here Choragos is telling Creon to free Antigone. This quote deals with the theme of the laws of the gods/nature vs. the laws of man. The laws of man are lacking in justice and so sometimes one must go against these laws, Antigone, to follow the laws of the gods to bring justice and caring to the world (burying Polyneices). Creon says that the laws of the gods and nature prevail over the laws of man for they have justice and love and the common good included in the content.
Previous commment made by Molly Riegel
Quote: "And yet as mens hearts know, I have done no wrong, I have not sinned before God. Or if I have, I shall know the truth in death. But if the guilt lies upon Creon who judged me, then, I pray, may his punishment equal my own" (906).
This statement is the basic principal of the entire play. Antigone is stating that God's law will always be above mans law and given the choice between the two she would always choose God over man. In this process she is also cursing Creon (which is questionable for the modern moral person) and sentencing him to always wonder whether or not he had been right in condemning her. Well it turned out that his death was swifter than originally thought about so he realized his pride had taken control fairly quickly.
-Kristy Cottle
"You have passe beyond human daring and come at last into a place of stone where Justice sits." -Chorus pg. 905
This quote is said by the chorus to Antigone after she is found guilty of burying her brother against the law. This qoute explains that by breaking the law becuase of her own beliefs, Antigone has entered into a place that no one dares go. It is in this place that justice can be found. However since no one else dares go there, Antigone cannot be given justice and therefore is killed for her actions. I think that this is one of the underlying themes in the play, the value of doing what you believe vs. following the law. Also it reflects the idea that justice can never be found.
Quote: "I intend to give my brother burial. I'll be glad to die in the attempt,--if it's a crime, then it's a crime that God commands."
Antigone says this when she is trying to convince Ismene to help her bury their brother. However, Ismene is hesitant to disobey the law put in place by Creon. Antigone is determined to give her brother a proper burial because it follows the word of the Gods. This connects to a larger theme in the book of determining whether Antigone or Creon is correct. Antigone values her religion over the laws of the state, whereas Creon believes that the laws of the state are superior. In the end of the play, its seems like Antigone is shown as having the correct belief because she dies an honorable death at the hands of an evil king. However, Creon's actions result in the death of his son and wife, which shows the importance of adhering to religious beliefs.
Quote: "The only crime is pride."
Teiresias says this to Creon when he is telling him that he should stop with what he is trying to do to antigone. Teiresias doesn't think that Creon should kill her then take her sister who didn't have anything to do with it and put her into a tomb with just a little bit food. The main reason for Creon wanting to punish the girls is because of his pride. he wants to show off his power and send a message that anyone who tries to betray his orders will not go unpunished. Creon ends up not doing any of this when he is told that a plague that will come to the city.
"It is the dead, Not the the living, who make the longest demands: We die for ever..."P887
This is in the early part of the play when Atigone is talking to Ismene about burying their brother. So this quote really puts the audience in the mind set that the play is going to be about the law of the Gods vs. the laws of man. Which at the the time frame this play was written would have been a big deal to the audience with many parrallel's to their own society at the time.
Creon "Lead me away, a foolish man, who, my son, killed you(1340) not wanting to, and you too, poor wretch, I do not know which to look upon where I should lean. For all business in hand is dead, an unbearable fate has leapt into my head." (1345)
This is at the very end of the play. Creon is talking about how after everyone he loves has died he has nothing left. This "unbearable fate" would have come to him no matter what he had done. Creon made the law that no one could be barried so if he didn't punish Antigone than everyone would not have taken him seriously, but becuase he did punish her he now lost his son as well. He has to consider his decision through out the whole play and in the end he ends up alone. This is an example as how a every decision you make can effect you and you should take the "fate" of each decision in to consideration before you deside what to do.
Quote: "ANTIGONE
I will do my part,-and thine, if thou wilt not,-to a brother. False to him will I never be found." --Antigone
Throughout the play, I thought that the relationships within the family were a little odd. It seems to me Antigone isn't quite certain of where she belongs or what decisions she sould make. You can tell during the conversation with her sister, that she seems to be a little deceitful. A common theme I noticed was the lack of trust in other characters and deicision making. Keeping isolated or hiding things from family members always come back in the end to hit twice as hard. There lifestyle is so different but yet the same in so many ways that we live today.
antigone:I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my
crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living:
in that world I shall abide for ever. But if thou wilt, be guilty
of dishonouring laws which the gods have stablished in honour.
Antigone says that he is "sinless in his crime" because he owes his allegiance to the dead rather than the living. In the book this is the main issue. While Creon feels that it is most important to honor those now living, and follow the rules, Antigone feels that it is more important to have a proper honorable burial for her brother. She talks about the gods, and this is another aspect that comes up in the text. Antigone feels that it is important to bury her brother because if he is not his soul will never rest, and he does not deserve this punishment. However, Creon believes that Antigone's brother has dishonored the gods as well as his city. Later Creon comes to find that perhaps he has been to rash in his decision, but he believed that the rules that he lived by on earth are more important that the rules of family and honor.
"Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the gods must be inviolate. Great words of prideful men are ever
punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to
be wise."
This quote ends the play and summarizes Antigone's message. The folly of Creon is that he disobeys the gods in pride. He is "taught" through his punishment of losing both his wife and son. Being an infallible ruler is not as important as obeying the rules of your religion, and that is why Antigone is not wrong in giving her brother a burial. Creon should have delcared his law void after hearing that the people thought it was unjust and after his son said he would kill himself if Antigone died.
Quote: " I dared. It was not God's proclamation. that final justice that rules the world below makes no such laws.
Your edict, King, was strong, But all your stength is weakness itself against the immortal unrecorded laws of God. They are not merely now: they were, and shall be, Operative for ever, beyond man utterly". ~Anitgone
Anitgone says this to Creon after she is caught for giving her brother a rightful burial. In order to burry her brother she has to go against Creon's decree that he should not be given a proper burial and that is his punishment for trying to take over. However Antigone being a strong believer for what the gods had inteded to happen goes against this and gets caught. Afterwhich she denys nothing and insists that if she is out to death for her actions then she wants to die. " Think death less then a friend? This death of mine is of no importantce; but if i had left my brother lying in death unburied, I should have suffered. Now i do not." This quote relates to the major theme of the book in that a law was put out that went against the laws of God and Antigone believes that if she hadnt gone against it that she would be tainted in the eyes of God.
Quote: "Is not the city held to be the ruler's?"
This quote depicts Creon's stubborn personality. Throughout this piece he is constantly deflecting the views of others and making the city abide by his rules and beliefs only. While Antigone believes that she has the right to properly bury her brother, Creon believes that she is disobeying the rules he has set forth and must be put to death. The quote is important to the work as a whole because there is a constant conflict between man's sometimes unjust word and what is truly the right thing to do.
"My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards—but I am a queen!"- Antigone
This quote demonstrates that although Antigone has rebelled, she has power over Creon. After Creon asks in what name she is rebelling for, her external motivations are made null and void. She has no reason to fight until death, but her desire overcomes her and the reasons mean nothing. This desire is what keeps her fighting, taking over her and putting her personal needs before the laws. This quote also may refer to the fact that although Creon may be "winning" physically through the guards and following the laws, Antigone is in actuality a "queen" because she stuck to her convictions and stayed true to her family.
"Let me premise a word about myself?
I neither did the deed nor saw it done, Nor were it just that I should come to harm."
-Guard
The Guard is about to bring bad news to Creon; the news that Antigone has disobeyed his decree and buried her brother. The guard speaks out of fear, as he constantly repeats the fact that he shouldn't be punished for being the messenger. It is clear to him that as the bearer of bad news, he might be ostracized or killed. A big theme in the novel is the feat over fear. Antigone crosses the line of fear when she objects Creons rule and gives her brother respect. Haimon conquers his fear of his father when he defies him and says that he believes Antigone is right in her decision and that he chooses to marry her.
I do them no dishonour; but to defy the State,-I have no strength for that.
-Ismene
This quote is important and develops a theme around the fact that the government is the highest power in this day in age and no one would dare "defy the state." She does not dishonor her parents but she can not go against the government even if her parents wanted her too. This is because if you were to do something horrid against the government you would forever live in debt of what you did and everyone in the town will know about it.
Quote: "The only crime is pride."
Once people start finding out what Creon is to do to Antigone, Teiresias says this quote to Creon. Teiresias seems to be the calm one throughout the play with the right morals all along. Teiresias believe that Creon should not kill her, and then take her sister. Her sister had nothing to do with the plan for Antigone.Creon is too stuck up and relying on his pride to tell him what to do.
"And what law of heaven have I transgressed? Why, hapless one, should
I look to the gods any more,-what ally should I invoke,-when by piety
I have earned the name of impious? Nay, then, if these things are
pleasing to the gods, when I have suffered my doom, I shall come to
know my sin; but if the sin is with my judges, I could wish them no
fuller measure of evil than they, on their part, mete wrongfully to
me."
This is when Antigone is talking about how she had broken the law of trying to give her brother a proper burial and how she now is unsure of whether or not she has actually broken any laws set by the gods (aka divine law). She then rambles on about how she would deal with what she did if the gods didn't like it, but then she mentions how if she indeed was right and upheld a law that was "higher up" than the laws laid down by Creon and the state, that she would wish no mercy on them from the wrath of the gods for wrongfully punishing her. This reinforces the main theme of whether there are laws that are more important than civil laws enforced by a particular state/country.
“My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards—but I am a queen!” -Antigone
Although Antigone just had her major confrontation with Creon she still knows her place and what she must to have her pride. This quote explains a lot of the characters morals and idea of how they want to live in their life. Just like Creon Antigone has self pride and won’t give that up because of a law that was made. She will not give up fighting for proper burial of her brother and there for is stuck in her ways and won’t protect herself for someone who has already passed away. This reoccurring theme is brought up in Creon’s character because although he knows what he is doing is wrong and even his wife doesn’t believe in him anymore he still goes about thinking this is what he must do because he is king.
"Alas, my son, thou hast died in thy youth, by a timeless doom, woe is me!-thy spirit hath fled,-not by thy folly, but by mine own!"
Here, Creon laments of his misfortunes and his own pride and arrogance. This play is centered around the theme that ones own self-assurance will lead to doom and downfall. Creon claims that it was his own mistake and foolishness (folly) that led to the death of his son (Haemon). At last, at the last stroke, Creon admits that he is to blame and requests for his own death, after killing his own son and Antigone.
"If thus thou speakest, thou wilt have hatred from me, and
will justly be subject to the lasting hatred of the dead. But leave
me, and the folly that is mine alone, to suffer this dread thing;
for I shall not suffer aught so dreadful as an ignoble death." -Antigone
Antigone is emphasizing his belief that it is more important to be truthful and loyal to the rules of the God's than to stay alive. He is willing to risk his life and suffer for the justice and obey the laws.
"CREON And thou didst indeed dare to transgress that law?
ANTIGONE Yes; for it was not Zeus that had published me that edict;
not such are the laws set among men by the justice who dwells with
the gods below; nor deemed I that thy decrees were of such force,
that a mortal could override the unwritten and unfailing statutes
of heaven. For their life is not of to-day or yesterday, but from
all time, and no man knows when they were first put forth.
Not through dread of any human pride could I answer to the gods for
breaking these..."
This rather longer quote I think states well one very large theme and a slightly less major theme, this shows Antigone's stand on her religious beliefs when in conflict with the law of the state, it also shows her contempt for Creon's pride in making such a law.
Quote: "I scorn them not, but to defy the State or break her ordinance I have no skill."
Ismen says this to Antigone to tell her that she did not know whose side to take, her sister's or the government's. She did not know if she wanted to bury her brother like the gods commanded or stay away from the corpse. This shows that Ismene is weak compared to Antigone. Ismene doesn't want to rebel and she is not ready to face the consequences if she respected her brother. However, Antigone is will to sacrifice herself to do what she thinks it right.
Quote: "Every kind of stillness. The hush when the executioner's ax goes up at the end of the last act. The unbreathable silence when, at the beginning of the play, the two lovers, their hearts bared, their bodies naked, stand for the first time face to face in the darkened room, afraid to stir"-Chorus
I think that this quotation is very important in Antigone because it is one of the many quotes that shows how knowledgeable the chorus is about the happenings in the play. This quote in particular shows how the chorus interprets the execution, in a sense of sadness and stillness. Without the chorus and the quotes that they interpret, I think that the play would be harder to interpret and that many readers would be led astray from the text.
"My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards — but I am a queen!"
- Antigone
I thought this quote was very powerful because although Antigone looks beaten up, she is actually proving her strength. She was not defeated and states this by saying that she is still a queen. Antigone knows what she wants and is not showing that she will let nothing stand in her way.
"Great words of prideful men are ever
punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to
be wise"
I think this quote is really important to the play as a whole, because it gives a really good summary of the message that Antigone is trying to get across to Creon. Because he didn't follow the proper rules of his religion, and was so ignorant and 'prideful' he must pay and be punshied--by the loss of his wife and son. The punishment is meant to teach him to be wiser about his actions.
"What’s the glory in killing a dead person one more time?" Teiresias 1145
Teiresias is trying to get across to Creon that there is no point in dishonoring Polyneices any further. Dead men can't do anything harm to anybody but Creon is still waging war by not burying him properly. Teiresias sees this as a pointless fight that will only bring scorn and hate to Creon. There is nothing to gain so why fight. This quote relates to the major theme that all men are equal in death wheter they were kings, peasants, or traitors. They all deserve the same rights as decreed by the gods. Creon is not only fighting Polyneices corpse, but the gods who are way more powerful.
Quote: Then lead me please away, A rash, weak, foolish man, a man of sorrows, who killed you, son, so blindly and you my wife-so blind. Where can I look" Where hope for help, when everything I touch is lost and death has leapt upon my life? - Last quote of Creon.
At the end of all Creon's fighting, he has only accomplished the death of his son and wife. The moral here is that you can't let your battles interfere with the ones you love because a man or woman can hurt or distroy them. Creon finally regets his mistakes and really doesn't see any reason to go on solo. This has happened before to people and will continue to happen to people, so people need to regard others instead of just themselves.
Quote: " A state for one man is no state at all."
Haimon.
This quote is in the middle of Haemon and Creon's argument. Haemon started by siding with his father, until his father proves all he has is his stubborn pride. Creon believes that everything he has done and has ordered to be followed through is the right thing. He no longer takes in other peoples beliefs he chooses based off his entirely. Haemon says this quote to his father in hopes of proving that he as king has taken his power too far, and that he will continue to rule by following his beliefs, then the state is doomed to fail.
"I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever. But if thou wilt, be guilty of dishonouring laws which the gods have stablished in honour."
Antigone is talking about how she would rather die in service to her brother than to follow Creon's law. She believes that one can only be guilt when one goes agains the laws of the gods. She sees it as her duty as a pious indivdual to go and bury her brother's corpse rather than to leave him for the dogs. She also talks about how people are dead longer than they are alive which means you owe more allegiance to the dead than to the living.
"Nay, be what thou wilt; but I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that. I shall rest, a loved one with him whom I have loved, sinless in my crime; for I owe a longer allegiance to the dead than to the living: in that world I shall abide for ever." (Antigone)
This is an important quote that shows what Antigone is thinking as she asks her sister, Ismene, to help her bury their brother, Polyneices. When Ismene refuses, Antigone replies that she has more of a connection with the dead and doesn't care is she dies herself. This is only the beginning of Antigone's complete willingness to do whatever she has to so her brother is buried respectively.
Say that I’m mad, and madly let me risk. The worst that I can suffer and the best: a death that martyrdom can render blest -Antigone
Antigone is trying to show that Creon's rule is immoral and unjust. She is willing to risk her life to prove that. She, unlike her sister, and the courage to defend her beliefs. She then gets caught in the act, and does not try to deny anything. She willingly accepts the punishment for her actions.
Haemon
"Father, the gods implant in mortal men reason, the choicest gift bestowed by heaven. 'Tis not for me to say thou errest, nor would I arraign thy wisdom, if I could; and yet wise thoughts may come to other men and, as thy son, it falls to me to mark the acts, the words, the comments of the crowd."
Haemon in a kind way tries to tell Creon that he his wrong in how he rules and that the people do not really like him. They are afraid to come forth and say it. As Creons son Haemon thinks he can change Creons corrupt mind. Haemon acts as the voice of the people in hopes that the king will see the mistakes he has made as a ruler. Creon fails to see that the people dont agree with him, and that they are put under too much pressure to say there true opinion.
Quote: Antigone stated that, "It is my nature to join in love, not hate" (897).
Antigone feels that what she did was the right thing to do, was to join in love, but not hate. Although her brother was a traitor to their country, it was her nature to join in love. Her love to be joined for her brother was the essential part of the play, because without her trying to join in love, there would not be a tradgic beginning nor an end to the play. She was the real hero of the play whom seeks to rejoin the love they had once have for her brother, and a way for her to make sure her brother die in peace once after all.
``Mea Pen``
"HAEMON
In nothing that is not right; but if I am young, thou shouldest look to my merits, not to my years."
I think this is important because if Creon had listened to his son instead of his ego, he would have seen reason. Crean took his own ideals too far, and put his own decrees above those of the gods, and brought upon himself the wrath they had given him.
I think Haemon gives a good point. That even though his age makes him not as credible, his merits should. I believe a person at any age should be taken seriously. Their arguments may have faults from immaturity but their points and arguments can still be valid.
"For once a family is cursed by God, disasters come like earthquake tremors, worse with each succeeding generation."
In this quotation made by the Chorus in Antigone, they are referring to Oepidus and his family. The Chorus is explaining their thought on the horrors and tragedies that have affected Oedipus' family.
" My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your gaurds - but I am queen! "
I think to start with the most major part of this quote is the "I am queen" part. It is a statement that really shows Antigone is a queen because of her choice to stay true to her family and stay true to what she believes in. She will not give up on getting a proper burial for her brother. Also in the rest of the quote it shows even though she rebelled and it was considered bad she has power over creon, becuase of her need and desire, she keeps fighting. She puts her own needs over the law.
"will not urge thee,-no nor, if thou yet shouldst have the mind, wouldst thou be welcome as a worker with me. Nay, be what thou wilt; but I will bury him: well for me to die in doing that."-Antigone
Antigone was still going to bury her brother with or without Ismene. This quote shows that. I also think that if Ismene had not even been present in the play that Antigone still would have done everything the same. I also feel that Creon's wife did not make mush of a difference or a significant role in the play. So her absence would not have mattered.
"The only crime is pride."
This is a quote from Theresias to his father Creon. This quote states the main theme of the play. Pride is one of the most dangerous of all crimes. Creons pride of not letting himself give in to the people even though he knew that they were right is what drove his son and wife to their ultimate demise. When Theresias has his argument with his father he states that the people if the city are upset and belive that the law is unjust and it goes against holy law. Creon is too proud and does not change his law because he believes that it may show that he is a coward and is a backtraker. This pride causes Antigone to her death and this starts the chain reaction of Theresias' and Creon's wife's deaths.
"I will do my part,-and thine, if thou wilt not,-to a brother. False to him will I never be found."
Here Antigone is speaking to her sister Ismene about burying her brother. These two characters show two different laws that are trying to be enforced at the same time. The laws of the Gods and the laws of the kings. Ismene believes that she should not bury her brother because the king commanded that no one do so. However, Antigone believes that he needs to be buried to set his soul at peace with the Gods. This shows her loyalty to her brother and that she is willing to sacrifice herself to save him.
"ISMENE Bethink thee, sister, of our father's fate, Abhorred, dishonored, self-convinced of sin, Blinded, himself his executioner. Think of his mother-wife (ill sorted names) Done by a noose herself had twined to death And last, our hapless brethren in one day, Both in a mutual destiny involved, Self-slaughtered, both the slayer and the slain. Bethink thee, sister, we are left alone; Shall we not perish wretchedest of all, If in defiance of the law we cross A monarch's will?--weak women, think of that, Not framed by nature to contend with men. Remember this too that the stronger rules; We must obey his orders, these or worse. Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat The dead to pardon. I perforce obey The powers that be. 'Tis foolishness, I ween, To overstep in aught the golden mean."
This quote is Ismene trying to convince Antigone to not break the law to bury their brother, and explains the terrible things that happened ot their father and she fears that this curse will cause them to perish in a similiar fashion and she does not wish to lose her entire family, being that they are the only two left. This paragraph gives the most about Ismene in the entire play, being that she doesn't appear again. It is very interesting how Sophocles sets up this character here. It works both for Ismene, but creates a setting for Antigone also.
"But I know, I'll please the ones I'm duty bound to please"
This quote is from Antigone to Ismene. Ismene refuses to break the laws of the state, even if it means breaking the laws of the Gods when it comes to burying their bother. Antigone is convince that her sole will be saved as long as she obeys the laws of the Gods. This is the starting issue of the play.
"Great words of prideful men are ever punished with great blows, and, in old age, teach the chastened to be wise."
This quote seems to wrap up the story as a whole. In this quote Antigone lectures Creon the reason why Creon lost his wife and son because he broke the rules of his religion and let his pride take priority. Antigone told him he was chasticed (by loosing his wife and son) because of his rude and ignorant ways. The punishments purpose is to instruct him to be wiser in the future and show him he must follow the rules.
As we read through Antigone the most prominent theme was that of will power vs. the laws and will of the gods. It is stated right in the opening prologue by Antigone when she says "you may do as you like, since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you."(887) to Ismene. Throughout the rest of the book there are arguments, chiefly between Creon and others, debating the will of the gods. It is largely agreed that the gods must be obeyed in all things. But it is folly to believe that you, a mortal, can know what the gods truly want and that is what ruined Creon and his family.
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