Many goals in life revolve around one objective, power, authority, and control. We all want it in one form or another, and will resort to drastic measures to get it. In Sophecles great tragedy, “Antigone,” power is an eminent theme that fatally affects the lives of its characters. It distorts there life style, whether they have it or live life in apprehension of it The belligerent domineering King, Creon is so engulfed in his own power that he begins to rule with an iron fist. In a society that is greatly renowned for democracy, Creon has effectively turned into a tyranny. He regards no other laws besides political. In a sense he considers himself the ultimate law. Antigone is one that is over taken by the power of the gods hence the divine law. She firmly believes in the supremacy of the gods and adheres to the rule of divinity above all else. Ismene, the sister of Antigone, can easily be characterized as a typical female of the land. She is not one to disobey the clout of the law, she knows that power lies in the hands of the men and conforms to their wishes above all else. Thus she fears their dominance, knowing that she herself is powerless against it.
King Creon is one who holds extreme primacy with authority
. . .
Antigone, one who deeply believes in the decisive superiority of the gods, lives her life by the divine law even if it means her death. She is so heavily influenced by the firmness of man that she is a slave to power. Eventually, people begin to notice how this “power trip” has impinged on his effectiveness as a ruler. His intensions are always in the best interest of the state. In essence, she is ruled by the law, by the power of the gods. She looked towards the gods for the definitive answer. In this great tragedy it is clear how the various types of power have gravely affected its main characters. “You could rule a desert right, if you were alone there. Like Antigone, Ismene lives by a law, but not in faith of it, in fear. He begins to consider himself the ultimate law in the land and he won’t let anyone stand in his way. Her reasoning is that divine law is superior to political law, and she shall not allow him to violate those traditions.
Ismene, the loving sister of Antigone is also, in a way, a product of the law. As seen here, Ismene views herself inferior to man. The dominant manipulation of the law has created her a lifestyle in which she has no self-will, no freedom. Undeniably the events and conclusion of this story were all
constantly narrated by the corresponding theme of power.
Approximate Word count =
871
Approximate Pages =
3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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