Philosophical debates in regards to determinism and libertarianism can be fought within the realm of the story of Antigone, as written by Sophocles.

Authors Avatar

Tyler Rave

                                Antigone : A Deterministic Government

        Philosophical debates in regards to determinism and libertarianism can be fought within the realm of the story of Antigone, as written by Sophocles. Within the timeline of the mythical ancient city of Thebes, after the death of Oedipus, the story of Antigone and her family’s struggle for power and pride takes place. It can be argued that the ideals of determinism have set the course of Antigone’s life as well as that of Creon, and his son Haemon. I believe due to the utter failure of an attempt to change the set course of life within the play, of not just Antigone but almost all characters, that determinism shows true within the context of Antigone.

Join now!

        Antigone, throughout the entire play, attempts to her fullest to redeem her family name, and keep her own place within the “royalty” of Thebes. Yet, with even the gods on her side, so to speak, these attempts are futile. As Antigone proceeds to commit suicide, after a hard fought struggle, it seems as if she had followed the path she had been on since her creation and entrance into the play. Antigone seems to be a strong character throughout the play, full of meaning, full of power. She is determined to change the course she had been set on, but ...

This is a preview of the whole essay