Antigone Analysis Essay

Creon has decided to sentence Antigone to death by execution for the crime of burying her dead brother, Polynices, against his own decree. Creon first heard of this from the Sentry, who at the time, did not know who did it. The Sentry later informs Creon that it was indeed Antigone who committed the crime. After confronting Antigone, and ignoring Ismene’s desperate pleas for mercy, Creon ends the scene by having the guards escorting Antigone and Ismene into the palace. Since the plot scene is ending, and the chorus scene is starting, this cliffhanger sets the mood at this point in the story to be frustration and anxiety. The readers are left hanging, not knowing what will become of the main protagonist, Antigone. This cut-off leaves a mist of mystery; the plot is now a thick fog, no one knows what or who is on the other side. It is all surprising and unexpected by now. Based on the scene, the tone at this point in the story is dramatic. The word choice displays the effect of
“Zeus, yours is the power, Zeus, what man on Earth override it, who can hold it back? Power that neither Sleep, the all-ensnaring no, nor the tireless months of heaven can ever overmaster-young through all time mighty lord of power, you hold fast the dazzling crystal mansions of Olympus.” (678-684). The chorus is asking Zeus who can overthrow the curse or stop it. It goes on to describe how no matter how much time has passed and if the youth gains power, none of them can break the curse nor hold a candle close to Zeus. No one in the next generations could ever surpass the power of Zeus. Zeus holds the most power out of all the gods on Olympus. He holds more power than ever his own brothers, Poseidon and Hades. What the quote is essentially saying is that the only way the curse can be released is if Zeus lifted it with his own power. Other than that, the curse will stay