Character Motivations in Antigone Essay Example

( 437-459 ) . This scene illustrates the kernel of Antigone’s character. She’s supporting her “crime” of burying her brother. therefore showing that she is motivated by the love that she has for her household.

She’s farther warranting her act by saying that Creon’s jurisprudence is non the jurisprudence that she feels she must adhere to- she follows the Gods Torahs. another one of her guiding beliefs. and eventually. she’s non merely accepting her impending day of reckoning. but really welcoming it because she’s deceasing supporting her beliefs. hence deceasing a epic decease instead than deceasing in cowardliness. On the other manus. Creon is besides motivated by love ; nevertheless. his love is love for his state. instead than his household. He puts state above all else. including his family- he’s willing to make whatever he needs to make to do certain that Thebes remains powerful. In order to accomplish this end he demands trueness from his topics. one time once more. household included ; he regulations by bullying. and is really proud. In fact. pride is another 1 of his major motives. For these grounds. his character is a feared leader.

First of all. the fact that he issues that his nephew can non be buried shows that- 1. he demands trueness. even over trueness to the Gods. and two. he defends his state over his household. He continues exposing his beliefs when he doesn’t revoke the edict even after his married woman. and niece clearly disagree with it. Creon’s pride continues to take case in point when he begins falsely impeaching his topics. and moving headlong with small idea. Creon’s character. while a complex character

is strongly represented in much of his duologue. possibly this transition of duologue between Creon and the prophesier Teiresias best captures his kernel. “Sir. all of you. like archers at a mark. allow wing your shafts at me. Now they have turned even diviners on me! By that folk I am bought and sold and stowed off on board.

Go. do your net incomes. drive your trade in Lydian Ag or in Indian gold. but him you shall non bury in a grave. no. non though Zeus’ ain bird of Joves eat the cadaver and bear the carrion to their master’s throne: Not even so. for fright of that befoulment. will I allow his burial-for well I know that mortal adult male can non sully the gods” ( 994-1006 ) . Through this individual quotation mark. Creon demonstrates all of his predominate qualities ; he’s impeaching Teiresias of graft. hence. moving before thought. he won’t revoke his edict even though he admits that the edict does withstand Zeus. therefore exemplifying his pride. He likes being in power of a powerful province. so much so that he is unsighted to his ain pride. and is all right with opinion by bullying and demanding trueness from his topics.