Alicia Stoute

Reading Response # 5

Question # 1

Antigone displays agency in the play through her defiance of Creon’s orders. She follows her beliefs of what she thinks is right and wrong. Her unwavering devotion to her family is to be commended. She went against the rules laid out by man to follow the rules of God, which she held in higher esteem. She would not allow any man to cause her eternal damnation. Antigone saw her life on earth as temporary and therefore she did not fear the afterlife.

She represents a no nonsense character that’s stands strong despite the great odds against her. Her family’s shame which was caused by the incestuous act of her parents placed her in a not so favorable position. But despite that she stood firm in her resolve to bury her brother Polynecies. Her defiance of Creon shows great strength and fortitude.

She was fiercely devoted to her family despite the laws laid out by Creon and very little could be done to dissuade her from her mission to honor her brother with a proper burial. Not even the threat of death would put a halt to her plans. She was stubborn and strong willed. Although her stubbornness was applauded by some and chastised by other she did not waver in her resolve. For her it did not matter who agreed or disagreed with her decisions just as long as she did what she felt was right.

Antigone is very loyal to the Gods above all, and prefers to let her flesh suffer rather than her soul be at unrest in the afterlife. She viewed her time on earth as fleeting and therefore was not afraid to face death with open arms. Even when placed before the Chorus she remained defiant and adamant, in a time when men were supreme rulers and women were expected to be obedient and submissive.

Her sister Ismene was in agreement with this way of thinking, and tried to get her to change her defiant ways by telling her that women are of a weaker sex and therefore cannot stand up against men. Antigone’s’ mind was made up and nothing her sister said would change that.

She is a symbol of feminine power, crossing lines no other would dare to cross, speaking out like none has done before her. Her actions had such a pronounced effect that even her sister Ismene who was against her defying Creon’s orders, was moved to take a stand, falsely admitting she that she had a hand in the burial of Polynecies.

Antigone’s final act of agency was suicide, she chose how she wanted to die and her decision caused a spiral effect of great tragedy. She would not give Creon the satisfaction of seeing her starve to death. Antigone exercised her right to agency from beginning to end despite the repercussions; she was fearless and stood for what she believed in.