According to the play 'Antigone', fate isn't what a mortal makes of life. Instead, it's what the gods make of the mortal's earthly existence. The mortal may be able to make choices. But every choice leads back to the same destination, the same outcome. Perhaps the best example of the irrelevance of choice is the origin of the English adjective 'trivial'. The word derives from the meeting of three roads. The choice of which road to take is trivial. It's a meaningless choice, because any one leads you to where the gods want you, not where you hope to be going. The gods indeed control everything.
She was buried alive.
That it is crushing is what Creon says about fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon appears not to worry about fate during most of the play. He even may be said to give the impression of considering it as something that happens to others or that his fate is charmed. But the Furies of fate ultimately trip up all mortals who disrespect them and the gods, as Creon discovers at great personal and professional loss.
That she is as foolish, uncompromising, uncontrolled and unlucky as her father is what the chorus leader says about Antigone's fate in the second scene of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus leader makes his first observation on her foolishness and unluckiness when he sees that Theban Princess Antigone is escorted by armed guard into her uncle King Creon's presence. He makes his second observation on her lack of conciliation and self-control when Antigone openly admits her guilt. At the end of Antigone's and Creon's interaction, the chorus sings of Antigone's fateful descent from cursed parents and ancestors.
She goes to her fate with pride.
An observation on the inevitability of fate is the purpose of the choral ode that follows Antigone's final exit in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus gives examples of three mortals who suffer. One example recounts persecution that is followed by triumph and vengeance. The other two examples relate to less fortunate meetings with Dionysos the wine god and with fate. The ode therefore summarizes that Antigone's suffering fits in with the fate of a god-cursed line.
That she is the cursed and that her behavior does not make her fate better are what the choral odes say about Antigone's fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone is described and self-described as the cursed daughter of a cursed royal house. The chorus is not sympathetic to Antigone's downfall. In fact, chorus members observe that like father, like daughter Antigone gets the fate that her uncontrolled behavior wins for her.
She was buried alive.
That it is crushing is what Creon says about fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon appears not to worry about fate during most of the play. He even may be said to give the impression of considering it as something that happens to others or that his fate is charmed. But the Furies of fate ultimately trip up all mortals who disrespect them and the gods, as Creon discovers at great personal and professional loss.
That she is as foolish, uncompromising, uncontrolled and unlucky as her father is what the chorus leader says about Antigone's fate in the second scene of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus leader makes his first observation on her foolishness and unluckiness when he sees that Theban Princess Antigone is escorted by armed guard into her uncle King Creon's presence. He makes his second observation on her lack of conciliation and self-control when Antigone openly admits her guilt. At the end of Antigone's and Creon's interaction, the chorus sings of Antigone's fateful descent from cursed parents and ancestors.
She goes to her fate with pride.
It is with her parents that the chorus aligns Antigone's fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus brings up the disgrace of Theban Princess Antigone's incestuous parents, King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta. The members also discuss the divine curse on the royal house of Labdacus, of which Antigone is a direct maternal and paternal descendant. They observe that Antigone exhibits the same uncontrolled passionate outbursts that got her father in trouble.
An observation on the inevitability of fate is the purpose of the choral ode that follows Antigone's final exit in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus gives examples of three mortals who suffer. One example recounts persecution that is followed by triumph and vengeance. The other two examples relate to less fortunate meetings with Dionysos the wine god and with fate. The ode therefore summarizes that Antigone's suffering fits in with the fate of a god-cursed line.
Belief in gods and fate is Antigone's religious view in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone believes in the gods of Mount Olympus. She considers the gods as the sources of cherished Theban traditions for organizing life and preparing for death. She makes a promise to her father, disgraced Theban King Oedipus, that she will try to be happy all the while that she accepts her fate.
Free will is what causes Antigone's death in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone is aware of divine curses on the Theban royal house of which she is a descendant and current member. But there is no mention of any specific prophecy regarding her fate. Additionally, she chooses to break a royal law for which any violation carries an automatic death sentence.
That she obeys the gods but receives the death penalty is the way in which Antigone's fate is ironic in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone faces a situation in which two authority figures conflict. Divine will indicates that she must give her brother Polyneices a below ground burial, which a recent royal edict forbids. Antigone knows that the gods rule and that her choice is correct. But her uncle King Creon sentences her to death for breaking his law.
Ultimately is the gods that Antigone blames for her fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone does not seem to realize how abrasive and uncontrolled she can be. She seems to think that having correct convictions entitle her to express them in any disrespectful way that she wants to. Her last words validate this stance since she observes that she is dying precisely because she defends divine will and the gods over royal law and rulers.
That she believes that the gods rule is why Antigone accepts her fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone accepts the gods as the ultimate authority in life and death. She believes in the divine will that guarantees to all Thebans rights to below ground burials. When she chooses to break a royal edict in order to obey a divine law, she therefore chooses to accept the death sentence for her civil disobedience.