Antigone goes against the law to properly bury her brother Polyneices, who was declared a traitor by King Creon and forbidden from burial. While her sister Ismene believes they must obey the law, Antigone is willing to die for doing what she believes is right and honoring her brother. When confronted by Creon, Antigone argues she is not immoral for burying family and would rather die for doing what she thinks is right. Though some argue Antigone is selfish for disregarding the law and her sister's wishes, she believes honoring her loyal brother with burial is more important than living miserably knowing she did not do her duty by him.

1. Antigone selfish
Antigone, a book written by Sophocles, talks about the struggles of Antigone, a young
lady, who goes against the law for justice and love. Antigone’s sister, Ismene, returns with
Antigone to Thebes, to see if their two brothers, Etocles and Polyneices are alive. They had
been fighting in a battle for the throne of Thebes and Polyneices, was seen as a traitor under
the Kings eyes, which demanded no burial as a punishment, “no one shall burry him, no one
mourn for him.” He was to be left out on the fields serving as food for the birds until his body
would have decayed. Antigone could not come to terms with this, she was going to give her
brother the burial he deserved as he was always faithful and loyal to her. Though Ismene, didn't
think the same way, she believed the laws were made for the public good and that she must not
try was seemed to be impossible. When it comes to question of Antigone being selfish, there are
two ways one can argue.
Through out the book, one can realize the love and loyalty she had for her brother. “That
must be your excuse, I suppose. But as for me, I will bury the brother I love.” One of the best
ways that she shows she wasn't selfish, was the way she talked to Creon. She explained to him
that she was not immoral, and that her time was coming regardless, but that if she had to die
earlier, she dies in peace knowing her brother was buried. She would have rather lived a short
life knowing she did what she thought was right, rather than a miserable life, knowing she could
have buried her brother but decided to look the other way, to avoid hardships and death, like her
sister Ismene. “There is no guilt in reverence for the dead,” as she says she should be honored
and praised for her bravery and will power to do the good, even if it is going against the Creon’s
will.
Looking at whether or not Antigone was selfish is hard, as it is a personal opinion, but
using the books facts, Creon brings up the fact that she was a traitor to her brother Etocles, as it
was a way of insulting his brother’s honor. Another argument as to how she could be selfish was
the fact that she doesn't take Ismene into consideration. By Antigone going to bury her brother,
Ismene would be left with no one. She had lost her two brothers in war and now her sister
wanted to put herself in a position of inevitable death. Though she would not only be leaving her
alone, but she guilted her by telling her that everyone would hate her and that she wasn't loyal,
without considering Ismene points of view, showing she only cared about what she had to say.
Besides the fact that she was going against the King, she was also going against men in
general, who for many years, had obedience over women, and in a way controlled society, she
was basically causing her own defeat. She believed she was above the law of men and that she
was superior and had the power to go against them, very hard headed and sure about herself.
When the reader analyzes both sides to Antigone’s reasoning, it is easier to get to a
conclusion on whether or not she was selfish. Though there are more reasons as to why she
made have seemed selfish, I do not believe she was. Antigone may had seemed hard headed
and as if she only cared about herself, but the most important part is that she did all of this, for
her brother. She believed he deserved a proper burial, he was brave, outstanding, loyal, and
loving towards her. She couldn't live with herself knowing she let her brother rot until there was
nothing of him left. It comes down to morals, and right from wrong. Everyone has different
morals, and she knew what she was doing was right. Though there is evidence that shows
differently, she did what she had to do. As she said, its better to live a short and content life,
then live a long unhappy life, knowing you should have done the right thing.