those who broke the law. That she is religious is shown by her reason in fighting Creon and his law. That she is loyal is shown by her will to stay and
help to do the right thing for her brother Polyneices in the name of the family. All of these will be explained by the writer one by one in the following
explanations.
1. Persistent
The writer thinks that the main conflict of this story stands between Antigone and the king of Thebes, Creon, with his new proclaimed public
law that he has just proclaimed. Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, who was the former king of Thebes. After Oedipus died, his two sons, Polyneices
and Eteocles are fighting each other for the throne. Unfortunately both of them were killed in a battle. Creon, as the closest relatives, the uncle of
Antigone then becomes the new King of Thebes. He gives Eteocles a proper burial with military honor because he died defending his own homeland,
Thebes. In the other hand, he proclaimed a new law that forbids anyone to burry Polyneices in a proper way because he fights against Thebes. Creon
said that a traitor should never be honored. Antigone, as Polyneices sister wants to bury him in a proper way although that means to go against Creon
and his public law. At the beginning of the story, there is a conversation between
Antigone and her only family left, which is her sister Ismene. Antigone talks about their brother‟s death at a single day, Creons new proclaimed law and
her will to burry Polyneices in a proper way since he is also a family member. Family has to help each other under any circumstances. Antigone
asks Ismene to join her and help her giving proper burial to Polyneices dead body which is left unburied to be eaten by dogs and birds. Instead of
deciding to help Antigone, Ismene warn Antigone about the danger if she bury Polyneices and go against Creons law. At last Ismene decide not to
help her because she is afraid of the punishment that she will get from Creon. Despite the fact that Ismene refuse to help her, Antigone doesnt
change her mind at all. She wants to burry Polyneices, and she will do it alone. This can be seen in the following quotation.
ISMENE. Antigone, you are mad What could I possibly do? ANTIGONE. You must decide whether you will help me or not.
ISMENE. I do not understand you. Help you in what? ANTIGONE. Ismene. I am going to bury him. Will you come?
ISMENE. Bury him You have just said the new law forbids it. ANTIGONE. He is my brother. And he is your brother, too.
ISMENE. But think of the danger Think what Creon will do ANTIGONE. Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way.
Prologue: 90
From the quotation above, the writer knows that Antigone is a persistent woman. Antigone told Ismene that she wants to bury Polyneices
properly although she clearly understands that Creon forbids it. Ismene warn her but Antigone says “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too”, this
is Antigone‟s excuse towards Ismene that she will still bury Polyneices even if Ismene does not help her at all. Ismene still not give up, she warn her
more. One more time Antigone shows that she is persistent by saying “Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way”. Through that sentence,
Antigone wants to emphasize that even Creon cannot stop her to do the proper burial to Polyneices although this means to broke Creons law. Once
she said so, she will not change her mind; therefore Antigone is a persistent woman.
There is more evidence from the text showing that Antigone is a persistent woman. The following quotation was taken from the last part of
the conversation between Antigone and Ismene at the beginning of the story. Finally Antigone gives up on Ismene. Ismene refuses to help her from
the beginning with all of her excuses. Antigone decided not to involve Ismene anymore.
ANTIGONE. If that is what you think, I should not want you, even if you asked to come. You have made your choice, you can be
what you want to be. But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him in death, and I
shall be as dear to him as he to me…
Prologue: 91 From the quotation above, Antigone clearly stated that she will bury
Polyneices no matter what. She doesn‟t care about Ismene decision and attitude towards her decision although at first she wants Ismene to help her.
Everyone has their own choice, here Ismene choose not to help Antigone because she is afraid of the punishment that will be given by Creon. In the
other hand Antigone chooses to bury Polyneices alone and face any consequences all by herself. Again, here Antigone does not change her mind
of burying Polyneices. It proves that Antigone is a persistent woman. Once she has an idea of what to do, she will not change her mind.
There are more evidences from the text that shows Antigone is a persistent woman. Right after the guards captured her of burying
Polyneices, she is taken to the palace in order to be interrogated, questioned, and then punished by Creon right away. Then Creon orders the guards to
take Ismene in front of him as well because he thinks that both of them are equally guilty. Creon believes that those two girls, Ismene and Antigone,
plot a plan to take the throne. At the time Antigone is going to be punished, Ismene want to be with her, Ismene want to be punished as Antigone, but
Antigone refuses. Here, Ismene shows that she did not have exact decision. First she refuses to help, but now she wants to help because she wants to
share the punishment. The conversation between them at that moment can be seen in the following quotation:
CREON. You too, Ismene, snake in my ordered house, sucking my blood stealthily and all the time I never knew that these two
sisters were aiming at my throne Ismene, do you confess your share in this crime, or deny it? Answer me.
ISMENE. Yes, if she will let me say so, I am guilty. ANTIGONE. coldly No, Ismene. You have no right to say so. You
would not help me, and I will not have you help me. ISMENE. But now I know what you meant; and I am here to join you,
to take my share of punishment. ANTIGONE. The dead man and the gods who rule the dead know
whose act this was. Words are not friends. Scene 2: 96
From the quotation above we could understand that Antigone does not want Ismene to be involved in the punishment that will be given to her. The
reason is of course because Ismene refuses to help her burry Polyneices at the first time Ismene is asked by Antigone. Therefore Antigone knows that
Ismene is not guilty as she is. It is impossible to be guilty if Ismene is not
doing what is accused to Antigone. Although Ismene is her sister and that she willingly wants to share the punishment together, Antigone refused her
clearly. The act of burying Polyneices is done by herself alone, so she does not want anyone else to be punished. She does not want Ismene to be in
such a miserable condition because of her because Ismene deserve to be in a better situation.
2. Brave
