Myths About Women: Baker Paragraph Re-Write -
Antigone can be perceived as very selfish because she is
younger and because when she buries her brother she is doing
it so she can die a “heroic” death. Her version of a heroic
death in Anouilh’s version is dying instead of being tied down
to what Creon wants her to do. It is explained…
Here the argument is made that there is no aspect of Antigone’s role that could be considered heroic, rather it was completely childless, selfish, and unnecessary. However, there are lines earlier on in that play that not only imply, but clearly state that Anouilh’s Antigone, like all other people, has a desire to continue to live. Regardless of the way she went about it or how it can be taken, she put herself in considerable danger when she went to bury her brother. And, while her seeming detachment from her body can be considered immature and careless, it can also be seen as complete value on duty. Her allegiance to her brother and her duty to ensure a peaceful afterlife for him is stronger than her love for herself — which is then completely selfless. While she may not have approached it the right way, it must be taken into consideration that her life had been incredibly tragic up until that point and the recent death of her brother made her additionally emotionally unstable and possibly unable to make wise decisions (however noble the intention).