Sophocles' Antigone focuses on the
following choices:
1. Civil law vs. personal
morality. Antigone chose to obey her own convictions by burying her
brother, even though it was against the law of the land. Antigone saw breaking the law
as not a sin.
2. Family obedience vs.
betrayal. Antigone disobeys her uncle, her sister, and her boyfriend's
influence on her decision-making. Antigone felt that family allegiance limited her
freedom and choice.
3. Tradition: revenge
and burial rites. Creon sought to take revenge (a very male tradition) on
his nephew, even after death. Antigone, on the hand, followed the (female) tradition
that everyone should be buried.
4. Gender
differences. Creon acts very "male" in the play. Ismene acts very
"female." Antigone is caught in the middle. She carries out her duty in burying her
brother, but is exiled to death much like a male
soldier.
So, pick a combination of themes that apply to
you. Certainly, you've had to choose between following what you thought was right
versus what your culture, family, tradition, or opposite gender thought was
right.
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