PLEASE HELP Read the excerpt from "The Royal House of Thebes."
How does Antigone's action as a rebel reveal the
universal theme?
Albo
Antigone and Ismene heard with horror what Creon had
decided. To Ismene, shocking as it was, overwhelming
her with anguish for the pitiful dead body and the lonely,
homeless soul, it seemed, nevertheless, that nothing
could be done except to acquiesce [to accept without
protest]. She and Antigone were utterly alone. All Thebes
was exulting that the man who had brought war upon
them should be thus terribly punished. "We are women,"
she told her sister. "We must obey. We have no strength
to defy the State." "Choose your own part, " Antigone
said. "I go to bury the brother I love." "You are not strong
enough," Ismene cried. "Why, then when my strength
fails." Antigone answered, "I will give up." She left her
sister; Ismene dared not follow her.
It shows that she is tired of being alone, revealing that
loneliness is difficult for people to handle.
It shows that she can break the rules for her
principles, revealing that women are as capable as
men.
It shows that she does not side with her sister,
revealing that families should stick together.
It shows that she pities Ismene, revealing that
understanding leads to right action.