Even when receiving counsel from his most trusted friend, Tiresias, Creon lashes out critically, "I have a lot of experience with soothsayers. Your whole tribe/Has made market of me from the start. Benefit'? Gain'?/If you want to turn a profit, speculate in gold from India- (1035-1037). Creon believes that his decision, independent of the moral unease and protest of his people, should be the final rule. Creon's actions are characteristic of a tyrant "he behaves without any regard to ethical affairs that interest the populace "making him unpopular in the eyes of the people of Thebes. .
Antigone feels that she does not have to listen to the laws of the king because she is not bound to the commands of a human, but instead, she must be dutiful to the gods. She feels she is obliged to bury her brother's body not only for his honor, but to uphold the wishes of the gods. Antigone believes that she is adhering to her moral duties and her disregard for political issues is not a concern. When questioned about her motives, Antigone openly snubs Creon:.
"And I never thought your announcements.
Could give you "a mere human being ".
Power to trample the gods' unfailing,.
Unwritten laws- (454-547).
Her outspoken speech infuriates Creon, and degrades his position of authority. Antigone's defiance, which touches on the values of family, ceremony, and familial duty, wins her the support of the people, but as a consequence, further intensifies the struggle between morality and politics.
The conflict between morality and politics could have been resolved if Creon was able to see past his vehement convictions that no exceptions to his laws were allowed. He needs to understand that behind a good political stance, sympathy to moral issues is crucial. Although Creon needs to assert his authority, he could have chosen to permit a burial for Polyneices on the outskirts of town. This would still be shameful for Polyneices because he is not receiving a proper funeral ritual, but it would allow Antigone to adhere to her moral convictions that the gods demanded that all dead bodies to be buried.
