"But for [Polyneices] touching this man, it hath been proclaimed to our people that none shall grace him with sepulture or lament, but leave him unburied, a corpse for birds and dogs to eat, a ghastly sight of shame," says Creon in his opening lines in Antigone. This line tells what Creon's main concern is as he takes over the throne to rule Thebes. The land and the people are very shaken up and distressed over losing their previous king, Oedipus, due to his incestuous marriage and then, very shortly afterwards, losing both heirs to the throne in a war between Oedipus" sons, Polyneices and Eteocles. Obviously, this is a very unstable time for Thebes, yet all that Creon is concerned with is making certain that no one buries Polyneices.
In declaring himself King of Thebes, Creon declares himself THE state. Creon, in all of his arrogance, commands complete and total authority and takes no other opinion, not even the opinions of the gods, into consideration. Creon in no way represents the leader of a democracy; quite the opposite, actually, he could be more closely compared to the leader of a total dictatorship. He hands down the rules and laws and those who don't obey, will be killed. Creon is a very cruel person; and he seems almost emotionless, especially when it comes to those who have disobeyed him. The only emotion that Creon seems to be in touch with is anger.
Creon's first decree as king is that no one is to bury Polyneices. If someone is left unburied after death, the soul of that person is condemned to eternal damnation. Creon believes that this is justified punishment for Polyneices because it was Polyneices who brought the war to his brother, Eteocles. Creon feels that Eteocles was not at fault in the war and he deserves an honorable burial; but that the entirety of the war was Polynices" fault, and Polynices must be punished.
I would hate for Creon to be the ruler of the country that I live in.
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). ...
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. ...
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. ...
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...
The story of Antigone is a tragic tale of the downfall of power and bad decisions. ... Antigone would not have buried any body that was left to decay uncovered she merely did it because it was her own brother. ... As any human would, Antigone did not want to die or suffer and she believed she should not have to. ... We can relate the situation of Antigone to present day problems. ... Antigone died a hero in her heart, but I do not see her as a hero. ...