"How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong!" In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon, the King of Thebes, was in his rightful place as judge and leader for the kingdom. However, in this role, Creon proved that he was concerned more with his political ambition and authority than he was with the lives of his people, especially his own flesh and blood. In the play, many would conclude that Creon would learn to regret his irate.
(p 20) decision. Creon's resolve, reversing his decision to save Antigone and to bury her brother, Polyneices, could not atone (p.41) for his wrongful attitudes and mistakes.
Body One.
Initially in the play, Creon was motivated to have Antigone killed based on vengeance, a disrespect and callousness toward women and pride. Creon was adamant in the edict against Polyneices being buried. Creon considered Polyneices a traitor- who broke his exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city whose one idea was to spill the blood of his blood and sell his own people into slavery (p. 197) "This is my command, and you can see the wisdom behind it." At first Creon was so callous he did not seem to have any conflicting thoughts and feelings about having Antigone put to death. He responds to Ismene's inquiry that he will kill-your own son's bride"(p.214).
Creon disrespected the virtue of women when he said, " there are places enough for him to push his plow. I want no wicked women for my sons!- Additionally Creon's feeling toward women was callous. First, he showed no respect for the woman his son had chosen to be his bride. " Not to lose your head over this woman. Your pleasure with her would soon grow cold, Haimon, and then you"d have a hellcat in bed and elsewhere. Let her find her husband in Hell!-(p 218) and -no woman shall seduce us. If we must lose, let's lose to a man, at least! Is a woman stronger than we?-(p.218) Finally, Creon exemplifies pride. Creon felt that he had to carry forth the edict not to bury Polyneices or he would have been seen as an ineffective leader.
This type of conflict is shown in Antigone an helps present the character traits of the antagonist, Antigone. ... Antigone was also very strong minded. ... Antigone was also very strong willed. ... Antigone chooses to defy this law. ... Antigone believes that Ismene is a coward while Ismene believes that Antigone is foolish. ...
Antigone stands poised at the river separating herself from civil disobedience. ... Antigone's unrepressed emotions give voice to her dissatisfaction with Creon's dictum. ... Antigone's morals render her unable to see her tragic flaw. ... Antigone impels Creon by defying his order, and seals the fate of her life. ... Antigone's convictions bear a burden on her that she is not strong enough to lift. ...
In the play, "Antigone," the main character Antigone goes against all authority in an effort to give her brother, Polynices, a proper burial. ... Antigone has no respect for authority. ... Antigone also claims, "What Creon says is quite irrelevant" ( ln 4). Thus, Antigone does not respect government or Creon as a sovereign. ... "We can't live by Antigone's alone, but if we have no Antigones within us we are spiritually barren" (Cornell). ...
Later in the act, the Sentry enters again, this time with Antigone. ... Creon asks Antigone if this is true. ... Creon aims to justify his decision to let Antigone's dead brother rot. He also wishes to validate his choice to punish Antigone. ... I believe Antigone's act was morally correct. ...
Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic. ... This is between Antigone and Polyneices. ... Antigone doesn't mind doing anything on her own. ... Antigone has no problem working by her self either. ... I think Creon feels he must defeat Antigone because she is a woman. ...
In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone is the tragic hero of the play, rather than Creon. ... Sophocles wants us to see Antigone as the tragic figure. ... He can either kill Antigone, or spare her life. ... Antigone is in a different position. ... Antigone chooses wisely in defying the law. ...
However, in the play Antigone, Antigone goes against the beliefs and defies the powerful tradition of male domination. In the play, Antigone's life was filled with pain and sorrow. ... Even after all of this, Antigone had even more pain to deal with. ... Antigone didn't fear death, but instead faced it with great bravery and strength. ... That is why Antigone is such an influential character in the play. ...
The Antigone Essay Through "Antigone", the play, Sophocles lets it be known that family is more important than authority. ... Antigone felt awful that Creon was doing such a wrong thing. ... Antigone took a moral stand and buried Polyneices. ... Antigone was Haemon's true love. Haemon committed suicide once he lost Antigone. ...
Antigone is not from a normal family. Her family feels very strong in what they believe in. Especially Antigone and Creon. Antigone did things that other people wouldn't normally do. Some people wouldn't defy authority to do what they believe is right. Creon did things that people wouldn't do. I thi...
Bigger than her body Antigone was right, yet so was Creon. ... However Antigone defied the king. ... The gods sided with Antigone. ... Creon is protagonist against Antigone, who is the antagonist; at the same time, Antigone is the protagonist with Creon as her antagonist. Antigone's actions were justified by divine law. ...
