Antigone is a play that mainly deals with differences amongst characters that cause life long drawbacks and a threatening resolutions. The drama is portrayed through Antigone's and Creon's characters, who undoubtedly resemble each other. Although they try to be masters of their own fate and eventually succumb to grieving outcomes, they both seem to have the values of a tragic hero. Although, they have their differences, their battle with one another illustrates them both as moral characteres full of pride and arrogance. Antigone was born full of superiority and courage, yet leaves the world as a conquered personage. She respects her family despite what has happened in the past and always seems to be loyal towards her brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, as well as her sister Ismene. Antigone feels as though abiding by the laws of the gods, is a valuable merit to follow. This theory gradually affects her actions and behavior towards Creon. The tragic flaw of Antigone leads to many lamenting events in the play. The manner she poses her characteristics in such as being stubborn and raggedness portrays her flaw in the play. Antigone attempts to challenge Creon's love for power and accepts the punishment given to her. She bows to death because she is aware that she has done a good deed and she will inhale her last breath in honor. Whether Creon thinks of her as a traitor or not, Antigone knew the gods would reserve their judgment in favor of her. She never once regrets burying her brother which makes her character all the more admirable. Although their personalities drifts down opposite paths, Creon's background is much like Antigone's. In the beginning of the play Creon characterizes himself as a loyal king, who wants to prove his worthiness to the people of Thebes. This illusion of himself allows the people to believe Creon is a heartfelt king with fair bonds. Along with Antigone, Creon also displays himself as a stubborn character. This side of him along with his love for power takes over his conscience and his true feelings towards all. When Creon realizes it was Antigone who had gone against his will, he becomes very inflexible towards her. Although, Antigone is blood related he did not go back on his word and change the rules for her. This decision not only has an impact on Antigone, but also Haimon, Creon's son. Haimon implies his own suicide by stating the following- "Then she must die--But her death will cause another" (Sophocles, III- 119) This open threat still has no effect on Creon's decision towards Antigone's punishment. Though he recalls his promise to the people, it seems as if he is completey blinded by his love for power. Creon absolutely isolates himself from the rest of the world and believes himself as being right all the time despite the circumstances. He strongly believes in a powerful kingdom and feels that everyone should dwell by his rules as a king. This reveals him to be a self centered noble who thinks quite highly of himself. Creon later regrets what he has done to his innocent niece. However, this sudden change of heart came about when Teiresias explained what would happen to him and his reputation if he did not undo his flaw. All these incidents leads one to believe that Creon transforms himself into tyrant and selfish. The portray of love conquering all, is dramatized well in this play. Antigone wants to prove her love for Polyneices, therefore she buries him with honor. Yet, Creon wants to prove what a mighty ruler he is with pride, explaining the punishment given to Antigone. This is a vast difference between Antigone and Creon. Who is the moral one of them both? A barbaric king or a hopeful princess? Although they both share many of the same qualities, Creon is undoubtedly the tragic hero. Now the twist was presented in the play. Creon could not win against fate and all his pride and arrogance coils into one unhappily ever conclusion. Although, Creon's pride and morals did not get him anywhere, it exemplifies a lesson to be learned. It shows one cannot avoid fate. What happens in life is meant to happen by a higher power up above and unfortunately science cannot even explain. In spite of everything, Antigone's character reveals how much she would do to prove her love for someone else. Yet absolute power does corrupt absolutely. Creon just did not realize this until it was too late.
Creon believes that his laws are absolute and must be followed above all else, even Divine Law. Therefore when Antigone, in accordance with divine law, goes against Creons edict by burying her brother she is forcefully imprisoned and sentenced to death by Creon. In Creons opening speech he says, “Of course you cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgment … Experience, there’s the test” (Sophocles, p. 67). How Creon handles Antigones unlawful actions serves as his first test as the new king of Thebes and ends up showing the Thebans a glimpse of his true nature, that of a tyrannical ruler. This can be seen again when Haemon comes to Creon with the hope of dissuading him from his current course of action. He does this by trying to make Creon understand that the citizens of Thebes don’t agree with his use of power and planned execution of Antigone. Again Creons authoritarian nature comes to light in his response to Haemon, “And is Thebes about to tell me how to rule… Am I to rule this land for others – or myself?” (Sophocles, p. 97). To which Haemon counters by saying that “its no city at all, owned by one man alone” (Sophocles, p. 97). Creon, being the tyrant he is, fails to heed the wisdom of his sons’ words, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Creon, like Machiavelli, believed that it was
Creon's insecurity blinds his ability to direct order in his country properly. After Antigone buried Polyneices Creon felt he needed to take a strong stand or people would think he would always be lenient toward criminals. However, to achieve this Creon felt he needed to take drastic action against Antigone. He once even said to his son, Haimon, who was about to marry Antigone, "The woman dies. I suppose she'll plead family ties. Well, let her. If I permit my own family to rebel, how shall I earn the world's obedience?" (19) This quote shows that Creon feels that to prove himself to the country he needs to earn the "world's obedience".
The hubris resonating throughout the play, ‘Antigone’ is seen in the characters of Creon and Antigone. Their pride causes them to act impulsively, resulting in their individual downfalls. In his opening speech, Creon makes his motives clear, that “no man who is his country’s enemy shall call himself my friend.” This part of his declaration was kept to the letter, as he refused burial for his nephew, Polynices. However, when the situation arises where it is crucial that Creon takes advice, he neglects the part of the speech where he says “a king... unwilling to seek advice is damned.” This results in Creon’s tragic undoing.
" This indicates Creon’s decision to punish Antigone was not taken kindly by the gods, but his ego wouldn't allow him to solve that as shown by Haemon, which, again, contribute to his nemesis. This proves by how Creon’s stubbornness isn't liked by the gods establishing him as a tragic
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
Antigone, as a character, is extremely strong-willed and loyal to her faith. Creon is similarly loyal, but rather to his homeland, the city of Thebes, instead of the gods. Both characters are dedicated to a fault, a certain stubbornness that effectively blinds them from the repercussions of their actions. Preceding the story, Antigone has been left to deal with the burden of her parents’ and both her brothers’ deaths. Merely a young child, intense grief is to be expected; however, Antigone’s emotional state is portrayed as frivolous when it leads her to directly disobey Creon’s orders. She buries her brother Polynices because of her obedience to family and to the gods, claiming to follow “the gods’ unfailing, unwritten laws” (Sophocles 456-457). CONTINUE
Antigone holds her love of family, and respect to the dead, elevated beyond the laws of Creon, whom she believes, has no righteous justification to close his eyes to the honor of the deceased. In her determination to fulfill Polynices' rights, she runs directly into Creon's attempts to re-establish order. This leads to encounters of severe conflict between the dissimilarities of the two, creating a situation whereby both Creon and Antigone expose their stubbornness and self will.
In conclusion, the gods and the love of her family rule Antigone’s life. Creon’s life is ruled by what he thinks is good for his country and pride. Creon did not change his mind to free Antigone until a prophet told him he would suffer horribly for his actions. However, because Creon was so stubborn for so long and did not take heed to anyone’s advice sooner, he ultimately suffers in the end, as does everyone else in the play. This was all due to a man’s lack of good judgment, his selfish pride and his stubbornness.
Antigone is merely portrayed as a rebellious nephew, as she consistently defies Creon. Antigone is expressed within the play consistently; however, the play portrays decisions proclaimed by Creon, which displays Creon’s tragic flow.
Creon is seen as a noble figure (King of Thebes) and abuses his power over the people and his tragic flaw (killing Antigone) causes him to anger the Gods who in turn punish him (Haemon, his son and future husband of Antigone dies) after realizing his mistakes too late. Antigone is the perfect complement to this struggle between genders as she expresses the very essence of a woman. She is filled with passion, fury, and bravery. Antigone acts upon her ethics rather than the rules of society. Her last words portray her feelings for specifically men of Creon’s type; “I alone, see what I suffer now at the hands of what breed of men—all for reverence, my reverence for the god!” (1032-1034) Antigone recognizes his unjust law and sacrifices her life to correct it and believes that the gods will be on her side. Antigone’s intrepid actions affect how the play represents gender struggle and
Antigone if she is caught. As the play moves on there is a building of this fear and pity that is felt for many of the characters that finally is resolved at the catastrophe. At that point the reader learns that Creon, the king, has lost his wife, his son, and his niece Antigone, all because he was too stubborn to give in as well as to afraid that if he did give in that he would be judged as an easy king. In a way this ending brings the two emotions together. The reader feels pity for Creon because of his great loss, but at the same time he feels a bit of fear because he wouldn’t want this type of tragedy to ever occur in his life.
The play, Antigone, demonstrates the consequences that adamant leaders face when they are not open to criticism and discussion. The play tries to teach people that in order to be a good leader, you cannot be so condescending to believe that you are brilliant and infallible in your judgement. Creon exhibits these negative qualities when he overestimates his power. He sincerely believes that he is at the level of the gods.
..., this sense of arrogance angers Creon to a point beyond belief. Antigone’s refusal to cooperate causes Creon to go mad with irritation and frustration. Wanting to show his sense of power, he refuses to back down in fear of losing his position. His stubbornness grows stronger as Antigone continues to disobey his commands. Antigone’s strong and steady foundation helps her show defiance. She is able to overcome the opinions of the people and commit to helping her brother regardless of the after effects. She ignores what everyone says and does only as she wants. She is powerful, both physically and mentally, and is successful in her tasks. Antigone matures into a commendable and respectable character in which she depicts her rebelliousness and bravery, pride and tolerance, and sense of moral righteousness to demonstrate fundamental character development in the play.
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Antigone is a tragedy written by Sophocles with a general theme of fate versus free will. Within the play, there is a character named Creon who is the king of Thebes. Creon is Antigone’s uncle, and makes the decision to not allow the burial of Antigone’s brother, Polyneicês. This outrages Antigone, the female protagonist, and causes her to decide to bury Polyneicês herself. Antigone is then left to face her future that may be controlled by fate or free will. The concept of fate versus free will is contrasted throughout the play and is demonstrated through the characters of Antigone and Creon. Fate is essentially the will of the gods, and Antigone understands this concept. Although Antigone and Creon may believe they have acted on their own