Family vs. State in Sophocles' "Antigone"

Paper Summary:

The paper analyzes the play "Antigone" by ancient Greek writer and poet, Sophocles. The paper argues the position that the play emphasizes the meaning of family over the meaning of state, which are represented in the characters of Creon and Antigone.

From the Paper:

"With multiple perspectives on the matter, even the Chorus of the play shows partiality to the oikos as well. After Antigone speaks of her imminent death, the Chrous replies by saying, "And so you go with honor and praise below to the caverns of the dead; no sickness wasted you away, you do not pay the wages of the sword, but will go to death a law unto yourself" (795). The Chorus raises up honor and praises to Antigone for her support of the oikos, confirming that the Chorus does indeed support Antigone's decisions. Shortly after, the Chorus once again raises the idea that the legacy of Antigone's oikos may be the reason for her sorrow by saying, "great has been your fall. Perhaps you are paying the price of your father's sin" (825). Sophocles is employing yet another tool to associate the play with the importance of family."

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