Antigone’s defiance of Creon’s decree first influences Ismene by altering her original opinion towards Creon. When asking for Ismene’s assistance in the burial of Polyneices, Antigone states, “And now you can prove what you are:/ A true sister, or a traitor to your family.”(Prologue ll. 26-27) Antigone is willing to die for her brother’s honor and believes his honor to be more important than her earthly life. Antigone considers Ismene a traitor because she is not supporting their family with her refusal to help. Although Ismene supports Antigone’s idea, Ismene expresses her initial

In spite of several repeated attempts by Antigone to change Creon’s mentality, he is obstinate and will not pacify her request. Creon’s basis for not compromising is a ruler “Must be obeyed in all things, great and small,/ Just and unjust.” If a ruler retracts a law because one person believes it is wrong, then nothing would keep the rest of the laws that people think are wrong from being withdrawn. To deal with this, Creon decides to keep all laws as he sees fit. Speaking about Antigone, Creon exclaims, “Who is the man here,/ She or I if this crime goes unpunished?”(Scene 2 ll.82-83) Creon feels as though he would be losing power and become less of a man if he gives into the demands of Antigone. Before she is taken away to be killed, Antigone speaks to the chorus and says, “But if the guilt/ lies upon Creon… May his punishment equal my own.” Part speech, part prayer to the gods, Antigone wants Creon to receive the same punishment as herself because she believes her family is being treated unfairly. Ultimately, Creon’s inflexible nature leaves him a powerful ruler of his city. Even so, his wife and son bring their own lives to an end after the death of Antigone, which Creon potentially could have stopped.

reluctance to help her sis

Some topics in this essay:
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