Creon's Obligation In Sophocles Antigone

Sophocles’ Antigone centers around the tragic hero and main character, Antigone, who believes in her moral obligation to the gods over her obligation to follow the law. As a result of her moral obligation to the gods, Antigone is willing to risk her life to do what is morally right. Antigone defies Creon’s law and gives her brother, Polyneices, a proper burial. When the messenger tells Creon that Antigone has buried Polyneices, Creon immediately locks her away in an underground jail and Antigone commits suicide. However, not realizing she has already killed herself, Teiresias, Haemon, and the Chorus convince Creon to finally release Antigone. Out of grief and sadness, Haemon and Creon’s wife also kill themselves; therefore, Creon is left alone

The conflict between Creon and Haemon represents the communication problems between parents and their children. Creon and Haemon’s conflict also represents ageism. Although, Haemon is always very respectful towards his father, Haemon cannot understand why Creon wants to punish Antigone, Haemon’s fiancé, for her brother’s burial. As Haemon discusses Antigone with Creon, Haemon says, “No woman has ever had a fate that’s so unfair (they say), when what she did deserves honor and fame” (30). Haemon tells Creon that the people of Thebes secretly think Antigone’s crime is nonexistent; therefore, there is no reason for Creon to punish Antigone. Even though they are scared to go against Creon, the people of Thebes believe that Antigone’s heroic action deserves praise. When Haemon mentions why Creon should listen to him, Haemon says, “I know I am younger, but I may still have good ideas” (31). Haemon knows that his father may not listen to his plea just because of Haemon’s young age; however, Haemon hopes Creon will look past Haemon’s age and see the rationale behind his plea. As Haemon and Creon argue, Haemon foreshadows the future events in the play, he says, “Then she’ll die, and her death will destroy someone else” (33). Creon does not notice that his son gives him a warning. Haemon basically warns Creon that if he puts Antigone to death, then her death will cause a lasting destruction on someone else. Creon’s selfish attitude does not allow him to see where he is wrong in his decision to punish Antigone. Creon does not think of how Antigone’s death will affect Haemon and as a result affect Creon himself. The conflict ends with Creon not listening to Haemon. As a result of the outcome of this conflict between the father and son, tragedy follows with the death of Haemon and Creon’s wife. The significance of the outcome is that it is always important to