Character Motivations in Antigone Essay

The main characters in Sophocles drama, Antig matchless, argon Antigone herself, the plays tragic heroine and Antigones uncle and King of Thebes, Creon. Both characters are conventionalityd by powerful motivations and beliefs however, they differ from one character to the next. Antigones motivation is hit the hay for her family- she puts it supra all else. In fact, she is willing to sacrifice her demeanor to defend that love.Antigone goes to great lengths to bury her deceased br separate, who match to an edict issued by King Creon, blendd in dishonor, therefore making it illegal for any(prenominal)one to bury his body. Through her actions to stick to with her motivations, it is revealed that Antigones actions are also fueled by her strong beliefs that, first, the gods laws are more powerful than any law made by man, and second, that it is better to die a heroic goal than a fainthearted one.Throughout the play, Antigone stands firm on these beliefs by stand up up for them flush so through her death as demonstrated through the following dialogue in which she admits her crime, and voices her beliefs to Creon It was non Zeus who published this decree, nor own the powers who rule among the dead imposed such laws as this upon universe nor could I think that a decree of yours- A man- could override the laws of heaven unwritten and unchangingFor me to partake this doom (death) is little grief But when my receives son lay dead, had I omit him and left him there un hide, That would have caused me grief this causes me none (437-459). This scene illustrates the essence of Antigones character. Shes defend her crime of burying her brother, gum olibanum demonstrating that she is motivated by the love that she has for her family.Shes further justifying her act by stating that Creons law is not the law that she feels she must adhere to- she follows the gods laws, another one of her guiding beliefs, and finally, shes not only accepting her impending doom, ju st now actually welcoming it because shes dying support her beliefs, therefore dying a heroic death rather than dying in cowardice. On the other hand, Creon is also motivated by love however, his love is love for his country, rather than his family. He puts country preceding(prenominal) all else, including his family- hes willing to do whatever he needs to do to defend sure that Thebes remains powerful. In order to get hold of this goal he demands loyalty from his subjects, once again, family include he rules by intimidation, and is very proud. In fact, pride is another one of his major motivations. For these reasons, his character is a feared leader.First of all, the fact that he issues that his nephew cannot be buried shows that- one, he demands loyalty, even over loyalty to the gods, and two, he defends his country over his family. He continues displaying his beliefs when he doesnt revoke the edict even after his wife, and niece understandably disagree with it. Creons pride c ontinues to take spring when he begins falsely accusing his subjects, and acting headlong with little thought. Creons character, while a mixed character is strongly represented in often of his dialogue, perhaps this passage of dialogue between Creon and the prophet Teiresias best captures his essence. Sir, all of you, like bowmen at a target, let fly your shafts at me. Now they have turned even diviners on me By that kindred I am bought and sold and stowed away on board.Go, make your profits, drive your trade in Lydian currency or in Indian gold, but him you shall not bury in a tomb, no, not though Zeus own eagles eat the corpse and give the carrion to their masters throne Not even so, for fear of that haze overment, will I permit his burial-for well(p) I know that mortal man cannot defile the gods (994-1006). Through this single quote, Creon demonstrates all of his predominate qualities hes accusing Teiresias of bribery, therefore, acting before thinking, he wont repeal hi s edict even though he admits that the edict does defy Zeus, thus illustrating his pride. He likes being in power of a powerful state, so much so that he is blind to his own pride, and is fine with ruling by intimidation and demanding loyalty from his subjects.