Antigone: An interpretive analysis on conflicts of authorityUnlike poetic forms of literature, which require neither conflict nor resolution to function, theater requires both elements to be successful. In Sophocles' famous play Antigone, it was the conflict that moved the story forward and it was the resounding resolution that left the audience with a feeling of gratification that has not waned for centuries. Although the role of these two elements is undoubtedly important to the success of any play, there is still much disagreement among literary critics regarding the central conflict of Antigone. Some critics, such as Robin Fox, speculate that the main conflict is the struggle between family loyalty and "kinship rights to burial" (Allbaugh para. 5). Still others believe that the central conflict is between the will of the individual and the will of the state (DeWitt 1). While there is considerable merit to what these critics say, the ultimate conflict in Antigone is arguably the struggle between the will of mortals, the will of the state, and the will of the gods. Collectively, these points of conflict arise primarily from three characters: Antigone, Ismene, and Creon. The key here is to realize that the characters are literary symbols. Antigone, who is generally considered the protagonist of the play, represents above all the true will of the gods expressed through a well-established tradition. While it is clear that every fiber of Antigone's humanity believes that her brother (Polynices) should be buried, her extreme reaction to Creon's edict, coupled with a disturbing scene in which Antigone asserts "that she would not make the same sacrifice for a husband or children. " (Allbaugh para. 4), strongly implies that it is false...... middle of paper ...... as these three points of conflict arise from a variety of sources and situations, however, It is clear that Ismene, Creon, and Antigone are literary symbols that embody the heart of this conflict. Although there is still much controversy among literary critics and experts, neither of the two predominant interpretations has succeeded in resolving it. full details of Antigone. Works Cited Allbaugh, Thomas. “An Overview of Antigone.” By Sophocles, William E. “The Human Predicament” (2009). Character and Plot in Antigone.” Classical Journal March 1917. Works Cited Allbaugh, Thomas. “An Overview of Antigone.” By Sophocles. Connolly, William E. “The Human Predicament (2009). , Norman W. “Character and Plot in Antigone Classic Diary Walk.” 1917.