“Antigone” Connections Project

1. “Antigone” Connections Project By: Gabriel Hillebrand & Griffin Tolle

2. Thesis Statement • Even though reading “Antigone” may be tedious and unpleasing, one must continue to read the play by Sophocles because the problems portrayed in the play, like suicide, are still relevant in our society and culture today.

3. Connection in “Antigone” • In the play, Antigone is locked in a cave by Creon with only a couple days of food. • Instead of dying a slow and miserable death, she decides to hang herself. • “In the furthest corner of the tomb we saw Antigone hanging by the neck, held up in a noose—fine woven linen.” (Page 322; Line 1358)

4. Connection in “Antigone” • Haemon realizes Antigone has killed herself and blames the death on his father. • He tries to kill his father but can’t and so he kills himself. • “…the ill-fated lad right then and there leaned into his own sword, driving half the blade between his ribs.” (Page 322; Line 1375)

5. Connection in “Antigone” • Once the news of Haemons death is heard, Eurydice kills her self due to grief. • “Your wife is dead—blood mother of that corpse—slaughtered with a sword—her wounds are very new, poor lady.” (Page 324; Line 1426) • “Stabbed with a sharp sword at the altar, she let her darkening eye sight fail…” (Page 324; Line 1445)

6. Connection in “Antigone” • Antigone believed that once she killed herself, all of the problems would just disappear. • In reality, it caused more harm than good. Her suicide caused the death’s of two more people who wouldn’t of died if she committed suicide. • This caused a “Cluster Suicide” (a term to describe multiple suicides in a short amount of time in the same area) which is still common in todays society.

7. Real World Connection • In the U.S., 38,364 suicide deaths were reported in 2010. • Multiple suicides in a short period of time in the same area are called Cluster Suicides. • Cluster Suicides can destroy entire families and even whole communities. • The play “Antigone” illustrates the devastating effects one suicide can have.

8. Conclusion • The play “Antigone” written by Sophocles, was probably never intended to be heavily studied by high school students in the 21st century. Even though it might be tedious and unpleasing, we should still continue reading it because it contains connections to our world and society today. Suicide is never the answer and nothing is worth your life at your own hands. Suicides today can destroy a family and even a whole community. The play “Antigone” illustrates to us the devastating effect suicide can have. We must learn from this tragic play and try to prevent suicide at all cost.