In this essay I am going to be talking about the concept of contrast between characters i.e. “Antigone” and “Ismene”, in beginning and “Antigone” and “Creon” in scene 2, within the play “Antigone”. I am going to contrast the effects that each character gives in individual senses; most of the effects that are shown are mainly expressed in the effects of language/ imagery, themes, symbols, structure and organisation.
In the beginning of the play we see that Antigone and her sister Ismene are arguing above the situation of their “brother’s death by each other’s hand”. This effect gives us the impression of conflict throughout the play. We see that Ismene has a deep respect for those how are above her in politics and family, where as Antigone has a different view on how she represents her self towards other people, she dignifies the way how she dose not ask for help but shows that she is determined towards her brothers death, we see this when she says “then in future I will not bid you help me”.
However “ismene” sees it differently “we now left alone – do but consider how most miserable we too shall perish” in this I think that “ismene” has lost all hope in the family as well as a human being, she yet tries to confine in her sister by self pity in a sense that “antigone” would understand where she is coming from as honouring the law. On the other hand in scene 2 we also see that conflict is the main aspect again between “Antigone” and her uncle “Creon” where we see that Antigone is still stubborn in the undone unburied bother “Polynices” but we see that she is threatened by the authority that “Creon” brings with him when he speaks “that she was seen, and taken in the act” here we see that “Creon” abuses his own family to get his own way, and that he wants to control over any thing and every think that is in his power.
In these scenes the way the language is illustrated gives the audience a very dramatic feeling of human rites, between “Creon” and “Antigone”. Meaning that although “Creon” is now king he instead of giving the people a choice in what they want he decides on what he thinks they want, “do you – I say you with your downcast brow own or deny that you have done this deed”, this illustrates the fact that “Creon” wants to control their lives and take away their freedom of speech as well as their human rites.
However in the opening with the two sisters arguing seems to be a persuasive argument, which each of them is trying is to get the other on their own side. “Ismene” uses her sincerity and pity for her sister “my poor sister, how beyond measure I fear for you” this illustrates that ismene dose things by the book and obeys the rules and laws, she also makes sure that it’s for her own benefits but has no self confidence to talk aloud. Although “Antigone” shows that she has a tough exterior when she says, “Do not spend your fear on me” we can also see her humanity or helplessness side by when she says “will u join me, will you work with me”. This illustrates that when people care for others and want to do the best for them they would do anything to make to them happy by this we can see that even if you are a strong person with a voice you will always needs help from others.
In these scenes we see that the language illustrates the course of imagery towards different aspect that attract are intentions as an audience. In the opening scene the language used to illustrate the use of personification where “Antigone” says, “do you perceive how heaven upon us two means to fulfil before we come to die” this illustrates that she has gone through bad times and is losing hope in life yet is willing to fight for her life and living as part of a family even though there is not much family left. Even though this is seen as a negative aspect towards imagery this conveys her actions and how she acts towards her sister as well as her uncle.
However we see that “creon” has no respect for the two sisters as members of the family also as women and not equal to him or to men “you made free to overstep my law” this illustrates that “creon” thinks of him self as a god but “Antigone” brings “creon” back down to earth by saying “it was not Zeus who ordered it” and “dweller with the nether gods, gave such a law to men”, these quotes are very powerful towards the aspects of comparing “creon” to “the gods” its like comparing a house cat to a lion where we see that even if you think you are as equal a god you can never come close to it because gods are immortal and humans are mortals and what ever we do wrong will always come to a conscience.
The themes of this play emphasises what life was like within the time of ancient Greece where men were suppose to be seen as figures of god and women where much below men, however there is a very strong theme of feminism where we see that “Antigone” and “Ismene” are the only women who stand alone, however “Ismene” dose not have to courage to stand up to “creon” but has the confidence to put blame on herself as well as say she tuck part in the.
In the opening scene we an as audience can see that the two characters “antigone” and “ismene” are have a privet convocation this illustrates that the structure is put into a privet context where they feel that they can not trust anyone, this is drawn to the fact that as sisters they do not trust their family member which is their uncle, this is only because “Creon” has forbidden “Antigone’s” brother be buried in the proper way.
However in the scene with “Antigone” and “Creon” the context is portrayed in the opposite way where the convocational argument is out in the public “Knew you the order not to do it?” “Antigone”, “yes I knew it ” and “and you made free to overstep my law” this illustrates that in this scene “Creon” has no respect for “Antigone” by disrespecting her in front of the “Senator”, this gives us the impression that “Creon” abuses his place and the power he has received as king.
In this play we see that “Antigone” represents a tragic heroine were we see that even though her brother is dead we still see that she still respects him and honours him by trying to give him the proper royal burial ” it is no shame to pay respect to our own flesh and blood” and ” the dead clay makes no protest” this illustrates that she would give her life to do anything for your family and even though she gives her life for her own honour.
