In the context of Sophocles’ play Antigone, the term immured refers to being enclosed or confined within a structure, often against one’s will. Specifically, the character Antigone faces the threat of being immured as a form of punishment for her defiance of King Creon’s edict regarding the burial of her brother, Polynices.
This word carries deep emotional and metaphorical weight. To be immured suggests a loss of freedom and an inescapable entrapment, mirroring Antigone’s struggle against the oppressive forces around her. The physical act of being walled in symbolizes her inner conflict and unwavering commitment to her moral beliefs, even in the face of death. This notion of immurement resonates throughout the play, highlighting themes of individual vs. state and the consequences of standing up for one’s beliefs.