Final answer:
Sophocles' tragedy 'Antigone' showcases the protagonist's unequivocal commitment to divine law over the decrees of man, which inevitably leads to her tragic end. Her struggle, Steeped in the legacy of her family's curse, culminates in her own death and the heartbreaking aftermath that affects her fiancé Haemon and her sister Ismene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpt from Sophocles' tragedy Antigone revolves around the protagonist Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, and her defiance against Creon, the ruler of Thebes. The tragedy unfurls as Antigone is condemned for burying her brother Polyneices against Creon's edict. Her betrothed, Haemon, shows up in an angry mood, grieving for the fate of his beloved Antigone. The play encapsulates themes of divine law versus human law, fate, and family loyalty. Antigone's determined yet tragic stance reflects her lineage and the doom that afflicts her family.
Oedipus' lineage is marked with tragedy, stemming from his unintended incest, which Antigone laments as a 'hereditary stain' in the quoted lines. This underscores the play's emphasis on the impact of ancestry on personal destiny and the inexorable nature of fate. Antigone's act of burying her brother was her adherence to divine law, which she held above Creon's earthly command, leading to her untimely demise.
Ismene, Antigone's sister, is also touched by the same fate, sharing in the family's legacy of sorrow. The tragedy that unfolds is not only a personal journey for Antigone but impacts all those who are connected to her—family, loved ones, and the very fabric of Theban society.