ANTIGONE AS A GORY PLAY ?

There is not much violence in Antigone; unlike The Odyssey, wars are not waged and battles are not fought; however, where violence reveals itself one can detect a disturbing link between tragedy and violence. Each incident of violence in the play is graphic and unrelenting in gloom. Birds and dogs tear apart Polyneices' body. Antigone hangs herself in quiet anticipation of reuniting herself with family in hell. Haemon "in remorse...leaned upon the blade/ And drove it half its length into his body" (1234-5). Eurydice does herself in, pressing a sharp-edged dagger through her bosom. Creon begs for death in the end, realizing the error of his rule. Once again, violence produces more violence, until at last the gods lift the curse. Unfortunately, in Antigone, the curse is lifted only when violence has consumed all.