Sophocles'(496-406) second most famous play Antigone contains many contrasts. Kirkwood, "A contrast between Antigone and Creon lies at the heart of the drama can be taken for granted- (118). In the story, Antigone wants to bury her brother, who fought bravely and died on the battlefield, but to do so would be to break the law since her brother fought on the side of Argos, the enemy of Thebes. Creon, her uncle, who has become king, represents the law. Although she cares for and respects her brother, her conscience will not let her disrespect her brother. Despite Creons warnings she buries him with honor and is captured by Creon and put to death. Haimon, who is Creon's son and Antigones lover has to leave Thebes.
Antigone focuses on contrast between characters. Antigone and her sister, Ismene are together in two scenes, the prologue and the second scene. They always argue because of their different opinions. Ismene feels that although she loved her brother, he is dead, and they should respect the law and not bury him with honor. The other contrasts come between Creon and the guard and Haimon, who is Creon's son, in the third scene. Creon and Antigone also contrast in the way they live. While Antigone has gained her self-respect by clearly and publicly stating her beliefs and her loyalties, (in the words of Sophocles, Antigone has regained the "proud fullness of her being-. Creon gives way to self-doubt and grieves to himself. .
Creon's loyalty is to himself and to the law he represents. In Creon's first appearance, he is a giving a speech from the throne. His speech shows him to be an honorable man, however, as Kirkwood says, "we later realize that even in this first speech there is revelation of Creon's nature which is not altogether attractive- (121). He is a little pompous and too eager to justify himself. For instance, Creon's true nature appears when the guard comes to tell him that Antigone plans to bury her: .
In Antigone, by Sophcles, Antigone's pride her life that much more badly. ... Antigone's pride is a great thing that leads her to death. ... Antigone knew she was going to die and never cried over this fate because of her pride. ... In Antigone, Antigone shows tragic heroism by her tragic flaw, pride. ... All of these elements meet in the middle and make Antigone a great hero and an even better tragic hero. ...
