Antigone Quotes
Throughout Antigone two powers fight each other with full strength. These powers being fate and freewill. Which force is the stronger force? The will of a human, pushed by feelings, or the brute force of the gods and goddesses that set a destiny for each individual from the date of birth. When creon says,
“I know it too, and it perplexes me./
To yield is grievous, but the obstinate soul/
That fights with Fate, is smitten grievously.” (10951099) creon is stating that he wants to fight his fate, but the stubborn soul that is his that wants to fight fate will take a blow if he fights it. In this case creons free will is being held back due to the prowess of fate. Round one, fate wins. The Moirai or goddesses of fate are truly the antagonists of antigone. While having a dispute over the burial of polynices, Antigone said to her sister ismene “Don’t fear for me. Set your own life in order.”(97) Antigone is stating to her sister that the heinous fate of her brother polynices is in her hands. By free will Antigone will bury her brother successfully. Round two free will knocks fate to the ground. When the chorus states, “Mysterious, overmastering, is the power of Fate./ From this, nor wealth, nor force of arms/ Nor strong encircling citywalls/ Nor stormtossed ship can give deliverance” (lines 951954) we see the how Fate completely overpowers free will or human power in tragedy. The chrous says that not even a stormtossed ships great power can give touch fates power
“I know it too, and it perplexes me./
To yield is grievous, but the obstinate soul/
That fights with Fate, is smitten grievously.” (10951099) creon is stating that he wants to fight his fate, but the stubborn soul that is his that wants to fight fate will take a blow if he fights it. In this case creons free will is being held back due to the prowess of fate. Round one, fate wins. The Moirai or goddesses of fate are truly the antagonists of antigone. While having a dispute over the burial of polynices, Antigone said to her sister ismene “Don’t fear for me. Set your own life in order.”(97) Antigone is stating to her sister that the heinous fate of her brother polynices is in her hands. By free will Antigone will bury her brother successfully. Round two free will knocks fate to the ground. When the chorus states, “Mysterious, overmastering, is the power of Fate./ From this, nor wealth, nor force of arms/ Nor strong encircling citywalls/ Nor stormtossed ship can give deliverance” (lines 951954) we see the how Fate completely overpowers free will or human power in tragedy. The chrous says that not even a stormtossed ships great power can give touch fates power