Revealing Antigone

Throughout the lines 469 and 489, the Sentry describes Antigone to Creon in a visual and governing metaphor, “And she cried out a sharp, piercing cry, like a bird come back to an empty nest (lines 471, 472).”  The Sentry describes Antigone as hovering over Poyneices's body like a mother bird. Here the bird reference seems to strengthen Antigone's symbolism as both a maternal figure as well as representative of the ancient force of nature. This moment in the play is significant to her character development because this is where she is seen as a hero to everyone, but she then questions herself wondering if she did the right thing or not. It is also important to understand that this part of the performance develops the themes of the play because of the conflict between the people of Thebes and Creon.