Creon's Downfall In Sophocles Antigone

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Each human being is born different, therefore they will have different opinions, ideals, and beliefs. They represent who they are as an individual. Some say a person believing in something and sticking to it will probably destroy them in the end. In certain situations, not giving up on one’s principles can cost them their life or can ruin them emotionally and mentally. In Sophocles story of Antigone, one witnesses characters having different beliefs on one situation that leads to their downfall. Antigone, Creon, and Haemon come from a royal family where chaos and tragedy are released from the folds of their beliefs.

Anyone would be fortunate to be born into a royal family like Antigone’s. However, Antigone wishes otherwise for she was unfortunate …show more content…

As king, he passed a law stating that the fallen late king, Eteocles will receive a royal burial while Polyneices won’t be buried at all because he was a traitor to the kingdom. Creon encountered problems as soon as the decree spread to the people of Thebes. His niece, Antigone, disobeyed his law and went against him by burying Polyneices. Creon was furious that his own flesh and blood would defy him. When he captures Antigone, he accuses her of treason. As Antigone continues to defy him and disrespect him, Creon’s hubris or excessive pride takes over him. “Listen, if she’s not punished for taking the upper hand, then I am not a man. She would be a man! I don't care if she is my sister’s child --- or closer yet at my household shrine for Zeus --- she and her sister must pay the full price and die for their crime.” (484-489) Creon believes he is doing what is right for his kingdom. Creon, just like Antigone, is a stubborn person who can never acknowledge when he is wrong. He needs to show the people he is the leader of Thebes and they need to follow his every order. However, Antigone refuses to serve under him any longer. Creon was afraid that others would side with Antigone and turn against him as well. Therefore, Creon put her in a tomb so she can be forgotten. Nevertheless, people, like Teiresia and Haemon, still warned Creon how his actions will set the path for the prophecy. Creon doesn’t …show more content…

In the play Antigone, a royal family seems to experience never ending tragedy and it is by their beliefs that lead to their downfall. Antigone wanted to bury her brother, Polyneices, to save his soul and to give him the proper burial he deserves. Even though it went against Creon’s law, she wanted to what was right, even if it meant risking her life. Creon was consumed with pride and the power of the kingdom that it prevented him from seeing that his son was just simply in love with a girl and that Antigone was just trying to honor the dead. His actions lead to the deaths of Antigone, Haemon, and wife Eurydice. Haemon wanted to save the love of his life but he couldn't help his father see past his stubbornness and pride. He felt Antigone showed be praised with what she has done but instead she was cast away from the world. Each character has such strong beliefs that they refuse to change or discard but they fail to see how what they believe in can damage not only themselves, but the people around

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