Sophocles' Antigone - Creon and Antigone

3. 102). He explains that the people of Thebes disagrees with his father regarding Antigone’s punishment and considers her honorable. Unfortunately, the citizens fear Creon and they’re helpless in this situation. This leads Creon to get enraged at his son and his mind is still set on executing Antigone.

When Antigone is caught burying her brother, she is taken to Creon. When Creon confronts her and inquires why she breaks the law, she responds, “that to die is precious little pain. But if I had allowed my own mother’s son to rot, an unburied corpse—that would have been an agony” (1279). Antigone’s devotion to her kin is more important ... ... middle of paper ... ...ud and been loyal to his kin and the gods, he could be celebrating his son’s wedding instead of mourning the deaths of his wife and son. Antigone’s pride is how she displays her loyalty to her brother and the gods this is the reason for her demise.

Creon declares Polyneices not to be buried, punishes and kills Antigone for trying to give her brother a proper burial, lets no one mourn his death (SP4). Although Creon didn’t kill himself he has to live with his knowing that he brought this tragedy on himself. Both characters were challenged together in separate ways with both unfortunate outcomes. In both stories we know that Okonkwo and Creon rule by fear and they both believe that having power is the most important thing; it isn’t (SP1). That trait of fear of weakness may as well of been both Okonkwo and Creon’s tragic flaw which caused the two their devastating downfall.

She does not accept her full punishment of being forced to live in the tomb, but takes the easy way out and kills herself. This is almost an acceptance of defeat to Creon showing she was not willing to go forth with her punishment. Antigone's decision to carry through with the burial of her brother Polynices brought forth no seeable good. Only more catastrophe and chaos struck a family to which they are no strangers. If Antigone had put the good of her countrymen before her deceased brother, the situation could have turned out to benefit all of Thebes.

He is forced to live, knowing that three people are dead because of his ignorance, which is a punishment worse than death. My opinion on this debate is that Antigone is the tragic hero. She tries to help her brother without worrying about what will happen to her. She says, "I intend to give my brother burial. I'll be glad to die in the attempt, -if it's a crime, then it's a crime that God commands" (Sophocles 4).

Appropriately, Creon's station as king place shim in a position of great power, influence and responsibility. The extent of this power was quite evident when he sentenced Antigone to death for disobeying his proclamation. Creon's tragic flaw was his hubris or his pride and arrogance in the face of divine powers. His downfall began when he denied the basic divine right of burial to Polyneices and was cemented when he condemned Antigone for her opposition to his law. When one closely examines Antigone's reasons for burying her brother, it becomes clear that she was simply demonstrating her love, honor, and loyalty to her family.

That morale law was to honor her brother and give him the respectful and proper burial that he deserved just as her other brother was given. The love she had for her family was the only thing she had left to honor. Ismene, Antigone’s sister was more fearful of the king’s law then the way her heart was leading her. Her values were slightly distorted. Creon finds out that Polynices was buried and this disgusted him so much that his anger was probably bubbling up in the pit of his stomach as if he was on fire.

They both died, one brother Etocles soldier of Creon received the proper burial and the other brother Polynieces was just left in the ground. Creon demanded that nobody would touch him and burry him because he was a traitor. Antigone goes against Creon's rule, she doesn't care if he'll kill her or not. Later Creon finds out that Antigone was going against him of burring her brother and now he wants to punish her. Antigone begs him to kill her she says, "I should have praised and honor for what I have done."

Who on earth alive in the midst of so much grief as I, could fail to find this death a rich reward?” (374) Antigone was willing to risk her own life for the sake of her dead brother’s pride. Creon wants Antigone to know that he has control over her. She defied him and now he has no choice but to punish her. Otherwise it would mean a bruise on his reputation as a ruler. It would prove that he was of weak character, especially since a girl went against him.

One will not stray from the law and what is deemed right by their king, while the other will accept any punishment, even death just to do what she believes is right. After burying her brother, Antigone is caught, and is seems that the state is more powerful than the gods for a time. “And yet you dared defy the law.” (208) Creon thinks that his law is all-powerful and ... ... middle of paper ... ... last, in death. Having hearing this news Eurydice, Creon’s wife kills herself; her last words were a curse on Creon for causing so much wrong in his life. Creon goes to pray for his mistakes to the gods, but they do not listen anymore.