Paradox of Sympathy in Antigone University of Florida IDS 2935 Antigone essay

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Paradox of Sympathy in Antigone Antigone is a play with many different themes and lessons to be learned by both Antigone and Kreon. Both characters learn very important lessons in this play, like ho... w Antigone should obey the law of the land, and how Kreon should respect Antigone’s desire to bury her brother. Antigone deserves more sympathy because she is standing for free will and the power to do the right thing when it is not the most viable option. In every argument there is two sides behind a story. As seen in Antigone, the debacle between King Kreon and Antigone, the niece of King Kreon, is monumental throughout the royal family and the kingdom. Sympathy is given to both Antigone who stood up for what she believed was right, and King Kreon who recognized that he was wrong and wanted to make amends. The death of Polynices impacted the entire country more than anyone could have anticipated. Immense tensions climaxed as the newly crowned King Kreon established the new decree that prohibits Polynices body from being buried and therefore punishable by death if preformed. When examining whether Antigone or Kreon deserves more sympathy, explaining the feelings and motives of both characters is important. Feelings impact the way in which people react in certain situations. Not only do feelings change opinions but the justice system also creates tensions that are unprecedented, which is seen as the play continues. Although Kreon recognized that what he had proposed was wrong and wanted to make penance for his mistake after talking to the prophet Tiresias, Antigone deserves more sympathy because she sacrificed her life for what she believed was right [Show More]

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