Antigone
...her. The after life is much more important and that is where she intends to send her brother, as well as keep the gods satisfied. Zimmerman 2 They have caught the culprit. After Antigone has buried her brother and is caught in the act, she reacts as if she is totally proud of herself. She refuses to defend herself in any way except to say that she was obeying the gods. She seems to love the glory. Antigone: Well aware. How could I avoid it? It was Public. Creon: And still you had the gall to break this law? Antigone: Of course I did. It wasn’t Zeus, not in the least, Who made this proclamation -- not to me. Nor did that justice, dwelling with the gods Beneath the earth, ordain such laws for men Nor did I think your edict had such force That you, a mere mortal, could override the gods” (498 – 505). She wants the negative attention all for herself and wont even involve Ismene. When Ismene tells her to be careful and not get caught, Antigone replies “ Dear God, shout it from the rooftops. I’ll hate you all the more for silence – tell the world!” (100 – 01) She is a smart alik and practically wants to rub it in Creon’s face that she doesn’t care about what he says. She is going to do what she believes is right. “ Like father like daughter, passionate, wild… She hasn’t learned to bend before adversity.” (527 – 529) Every rose shall wilt. When Haemon, her fiancé, learns of his fathers plan to send Antigone to the tomb alive, he respects his father, but inside resents him. Antigone is sent to the tomb to die. She goes nobly, without a fight. She knew this would come and she is Zimmerman 3 ready for it. This is where Antigone is truly a tragic character. When Creon realizes what he has done, and that he had gone too far, it is already too late. “We took his orders, Went and searched, and there in the deepest, Dark recesses of the tomb we found her… Hanged by the neck in a fine linen noose, Strangled in her veils” (1345 – 51) It’s so gut wrenching that Antigone has killed herself in herself in her own wedding veils. She won’t wait to die, she gets it over with. When Haemon realizes what his father has done, he goes to Antigone and kills himself as well. “ And still in his senses, pouring his arms around her, He embraced the girl and breathing hard, Released a quick rush of blood, Bright red on her cheek glistening white. And there he lies, body enfolding body… He has won his bride at last, poor boy, Not here but in the houses of the dead.” (1367 – 72) They have died together. Antigone’s aft...