PRIDE

Pride: 1. A feeling of satisfaction and pleasure in what you have done, or in what someone connected with you has done (Longman Dictionary) 2. A feeling that you are better than other people because you are cleverer, more important etc (Longman Dictionary)

Quotes: "It is not for him to keep me from my own" (pg. 163, line 54) Antigone

This line, in short summarizes the basis of of Antigone's arguments for the legitimate and correct nature of her actions. Here she states that "[he]" (Creon) has no right to "keep me from my own". What she calls "my own" here is her decision to bury her dead brother but more importantly her right to do so. The honoring of a family member, a brother especially, is a necessary action that the gods would not look kindly upon skipping. Thus when her duty to her family and the duty to the state clashes, Antigone feels that by siding with the gods, Creon, who also seeks their approval, should refrain from objecting to her right and wish to bury the brother she lost.  "So we must stand on the side of what is orderly; we cannot give victory to a woman. If we must accept defeat, let it be from a man; we must not let people say that a woman beat us." (731) Through this quote, it is evident that Creon holds himself at a high regard, placing himself above others. As the new king of the city, he feels that through upholding the law, he shall be just and honorable, thus the need to maintain order is deeply entrenched in his judgment, acting as the overarching factor in his decisions. The reference to not “give victory to a woman” defines the lowly status given to women, thus 'not wanting to lose to a woman' in this context is aimed more towards not wanting to lose to a person of lowlier status rather than specifically to someone of the female gender. The phrase "If we must accept defeat, let it be from a man..." holds similar meaning where the term 'man' is given connotations of honor and dignity, making defeat to that sort of individual acceptable.

"What you say is surely insupportable when you say the gods took forethought for this corpse" (pg. 172, line 311~312) Creon The gods vouching for any man other than himself is unthinkable to Creon. He has made a choice to disgrace the body of Polyneices and in his mind, he believes that he is right in doing so and undoubtedly has the support of the gods. Therefore when someone claims that "the gods took forethought for this corpse", he simply says that the gods would never behave as such because he himself is the only man favored by god, the only one who has their support and ultimately, the only one who is right. Also, by mentioning how the gods taking forthought for Polyneices is "insupportable" before evening mentioning what is actually insupportable, Creon reveals his conviction that the gods are on his side and no one else's.

Creon: "Now, Antigone, tell me shortly and to the point, did you know the proclamation against your action?" Antigone: "I knew it; of course I did. For it was public." This short exchange between Creon and Antigone reveals that the two characters are both extremely proud people. In a condescending tone, Creon orders Antigone to reply "shortly and to the point". His attitude implies that he does not wish to hear irrevelant comments and is simply demanding an answer of submission. He feels that he is too important to mix words with a criminal who is also female.

Antigone's pride is exposed when she proclaims in short determined sentences, that although she knew the consequences of her actions, she still dared to bury her brother. Antigone is the only person who did something in the whole city and becomes the martyr that valued family over all else. She is immensely proud to be in her position and the way she announces her actions with confidence, emphasized by the semicolon which separates two phrases where she says with extreme cetermination, "I knew" the consequences, but still buried him, reveals her desire for her actions to be known publicly. An act of burying your kin should be private and is a deed that does not require recognition by others. However, the way Antigone seeks attention and attempts to shame others for their inactivity and feel superior to them in the process, clearly indicates that she is a proud woman.

"I'm alive now, and no woman will rule me." (646) Creon - characterization Creon's pride and narcissism comes to light in this particular quote. He will not have anyone rule him, especially a woman. His tone is harsh and rather blunt and demonstrates that he feels that even the toughest of wills can be broken, even that of Antigone. He refuses to listen to the pleas of others, and feels that he is able to 'disobey' the gods. He is "alive," and able and willing to do whatever he pleases. His direct statement supports the fact that he is unwilling to hear others' opinions -- to him, everything he says is the right thing to say, the right action to take.

Pride in modern society: