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

in his regret and distress. In Antigone, the three major conflicts are between Antigone and Ismene, Antigone and Creon, and Creon and Haemon.
From the start of the play, there is an obvious conflict between the two sisters, Antigone and Ismeme. The conflict represents the two distinct beliefs and opinions both Antigone and Ismene have as young women. The two different opinions clearly show in their individual actions they make towards the law. Antigone is resistant, rebellious, and independent. Some readers may even say that Antigone is a feminist who defies the traditional female role in society to just sit back and let men handle important matters. As a contrast to her sister, Ismene appears to be “softer”, feminine, and passive. Ismene illustrates the traditional female role because she believes that women are not to involve themselves in conflicts with men (3). Ismene realizes what she can and cannot do as a woman; however, Ismene is satisfied with her limitations in society. When Antigone asks Ismene for help with Polyneices’ burial, Ismene says, “How horrible! When Creon forbids it?” (3). Antigone does not seem to understand why Ismene does not see the importance in Polyneices’ burial. Although Ismene refuses to help Antigone with the burial, Antigone still moves forward with the burial plans. After Antigone is caught, Ismene insists on joining Antigone in her suffering and punishment. As Antigone neglects Ismene’s plead to suffer with her, Ismene says, “No, please! You’re my sister: Don’t despise me! Let me die with you and sanctify our dead” (23). Antigone still does not want Ismene to suffer with her. Eventually, Creon does not allow Ismene to be punished with Antigone. The outcome of this conflict is important because even though Antigone and Ismene have different views, they are still sisters. As sisters, it should be their first priority to always stick together and to remain loyal to one another.
After the death of Antigone’s two brothers, Creon, the king of Thebes, issues a royal edict which strictly bans the burial of Polyneices. Creon labels Polyneices as a traitor to Thebes and feels that his body should be left out in the street to rot. The conflict between Antigone and Creon represents the common Greek tragic tradition of the roles of a protagonist and an antagonist. In the play, it is obvious that Antigone is the protagonist while Creon is the antagonist. As Creon tries to establish his authority as the new king of Thebes, Antigone defies Creon’s law by doing what is morally right and Creon wants to punish Antigone for her actions against his law. When Antigone faces Creon for her punishment, Creon says, “This girl was a complete expert in arrogance already, when she broke the law” (20). Creon realizes that Antigone knew about his law against Polynieces’ burial yet she still buries his body. Creon is disgusted by Antigone’s glorification of her crime. However, Creon does not realize the extreme pettiness behind this law. When Antigone talks to Creon about his law, Antigone says, “What laws? I never heard it was Zeus who made that announcement” (20). Creon believes that he is above the gods; as a result, Creon goes against the religious tradition of burying the dead. The outcome of the conflict between Antigone and Creon does not work out in Creon’s favor. As a result of Creon’s decision to punish Antigone, Antigone’s suicide produces a domino effect. After Antigone commits suicide, Haemon also kills himself. Out of grief and despair, Creon’s wife and Haemon’s mother commits suicide after she receives the news of her son’s death. The conflict between Antigone and Creon is significant because it shows that it is important for a ruler to never get so carried away with their role. Karma is also an important topic in Antigone and Creon’s conflict because Creon’s senseless law ultimately causes the downfall of his loved ones.
Another interesting conflict arises between Creon and his son, Haemon over Creon’s decision to punish Antigone.

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

communicate and listen to the other person. Even though the other person may be younger in age, the younger person can still shed light on a situation.
All three of these conflicts make Antigone a great Greek tragedy. The relationship between Antigone and Ismene teaches readers that it is important to keep family close and remain loyal especially in times of need. Although Ismene does not agree with Antigone’s actions, she wants to be there for Antigone as she faces punishment from Creon. Creon and Antigone’s conflict gives readers more insight on karma and how our bad decisions can come back and affect us in the long run. The conflict between Haemon and Creon illustrates the complex relationship parents may have with their children. Haemon and Creon’s conflict also reveals the issues behind ageism in society. These three conflicts and their lessons make Antigone an important read for everyone.