Conflict Between Antigone And Creon

In the story of Antigone, which was a drama written by Sophocles, its major heroes were Antigone and her powerful uncle Creon the king of Thebes. Despite that they were relatives, there were some issues between them, which make them the tragic heroes of the story. The story ended by the death of Antigone, Haemon her Fiancé and his mother, while the king Creon ended up alone after he had lost his close relatives. Based on the story there were two main issues that caused Antigone and Creon to come into conflict as they did. First, was the issue of male gender. second, the main and most important disagreement is the debate of moral and divine law versus human law. In this most important dispute Creon strictly adhere to human laws and Antigone

follows the divine or moral laws.

One of the issues between Antigone and her uncle, is the dispute between gender roles.

Ismene tells Antigone that women “were not born to contend with men,” (Sophocles p.75) showing women’s obedience and submission. Also, was stated in the same passage, Ismene says to Antigone: “we’re underlings, ruled by stronger hands,” (Sophocles p.76) a declaration of men’s offensive and “stronger hands” that control women freedom and discriminate from their fair share of respect and recognition. The only woman in Thebes who wishes to break free from these men domination is Antigone, who stands up against Ismene’s wrong obedience urging her to “submit to this,” (Sophocles p.77) and Challenge the powerful king Creon by burying her bother Polynices. By breaking Creon’s proclamation, Antigone defies the traditional gender roles women and men play, Knowing the penalty would be earthly

death.

The main issue between Antigone and Creon emerges when she decided that she must honor her brother's death by giving him a proper burial.

(Sophocles p.72) "I myself will bury him," she conveyed to Ismene. As soon as Antigone buried her brother, she was brought to the King Creon to explain her guilt. (Sophocles p. 177) Sophocles’ play demonstrates the two sides of the moral conflict of each of the characters, which are moral law or city law; Antigone with the side of moral law and Creon with his side with the laws of the city. Antigone argue with her sister Ismene about the honoring of their brother by telling her it was her job as a sister that she should bury her dead brother. It is a responsibility that she owes to her family. She also says that the king will not "keep me from my own." In other words, loyalty to the family is above her loyalty to the city. Antigone also tells Ismene that she is ready to become a lawbreaker and die for what she thinks is right. She believes her death will not be meaningless, and it is honoring her family; and the god. Creon reply to Antigone by calling her a betrayer because of her disobedience to his law. As a king with a great power and responsibility, Antigone put Creon in a position that If he forgives her, he will become weak in the eyes of everyone. (Sophocles p. 186-187) Creon sees himself as a good ruler, which means that he cannot allow his close relatives to disobey his laws because others will do the same. Creon is irritated that

Antigone a close relative publicly disobeyed his law. He was additionally angered that she was his niece and engaged to his son, Haemon. Creon's position as a ruler, makes him enforce the laws and put the roles and country above everything else. (Sophocles line 671).
One of the enduring themes in the play that parallel an issue that confront our society today is civil disobedience, outward protest against governmental policy, and the idea that there is a level of justice that is able to transcend the laws made by politicians and leaders is one of the most lasting legacies of the play and one parallel that can be seen in modern day society. Also, one current and common social reality are things like cheating on taxes or doing other small things to get around legal taxation, or to beat the system in other words like drawing disability for an injury that may not be as debilitating as described in court or fathers who quit working to avoid child support. I think a lot of kids are well aware of parents who are not living with hundred percent clean legal consciences but would absolutely never turn them in because they are family.

Antigone and Creon are equally determined to commit to their convictions, but with a slight difference on the morals. Creon unlike Antigone he thinks that morals have power to dictate social ethics. He aims to enforce his laws rather that respect the law of gods which makes Antigone a hero in the eyes of the people and the name of Creon, remains as dictator for most of the reader’s opinion.