Kreon's Responsibility In Sophocles Antigone

In the play Antigone, there are no characters that are completely admirable, however, all things considered, I believe that Antigone’s actions are more admirable than those of Kreon’s. Even though Kreon tried to make amends for his mistakes at the end of the play, it was ultimately too late for him to undo what he had done. I empathize more with Antigone because her moral beliefs followed the law ordained by the gods, the divine law, and she was willing to die to prevent her brother from eternal damnation.

When Antigone’s two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, fought for the throne of Thebes, both were killed in battle. Kreon rose to power and took Eteocles’ side- giving him the burial of a hero, while leaving Polynices body to rot on the battlefield.

Kreon adds that anyone who tries to bury him will be subject to death. Antigone is a headstrong individual, who will stop at nothing to bury her brother. She is determined to fulfill her desires, no matter what the sacrifice; however, this trait is a double-edged sword. Her stubbornness is what prevents her from seceding on her desire to give her brother Polynices a proper burial. Kreon warns her not to bury her brother, however, she disregards his request because she believes that if one does not receive the proper burial, his soul will not be able to be released from the body, and will be tormented for all of eternity. Ismene, Antigone’s sister, attempts to prevent Antigone from performing the burial, but, Antigone believes that no law, especially one created by man, should supersede the divine law created by the gods and thinks “if I have to die for this pure crime, I am content, for I shall rest beside him; his love will answer mine.” (Lines 72-74)
After she gets caught trying to perform the burial ritual on Polynieces, Antigone does not recant nor act as though she is innocent.

She is fearless and takes full responsibility for her actions by stating that “I didn't say yes. I can say no to anything I say vile, and I don't have to count the cost. But because you said yes, all that you can do, for all your crown and your trappings, and your guards—all that your can do is to have me killed.”(Lines 45-50) Antigone is honest, and when Ismene states that “I did the deed, if she agrees I did. I am accessory and share the blame” (Page 19 lines 5-7). Antigone refuses to let her sister her share the blame when she responds by saying, “Justice will not allow this. You did not wish for a part, nor did I give you one” (Page 19 lines 10-12). Antigone’s lack of remorse in what she had done, may be a factor in the harshness of her punishment from Kreon. Had Antigone shown remorse, she may have received a second chance at life. Antigone failed to realize that if she died, and Ismene did not bury Polynices, her brother’s soul would never have been at peace. In addition, it is likely that Kreon would not have allowed her body to be buried either, resulting in her soul also being tormented. However, Antigone was much too stubborn to apologize to Kreon for her actions. She proudly accepted her fate and handled her death very bravely. She did not allow Kreon to have the satisfaction of her being buried alive in a cave, and wanted to have a

choice in the way she died. Even though she was only given one choice, she chose not to submit to Kreon’s will and hung herself.
Although Kreon committed cruel actions, he is by no means a malevolent individual.

Kreon was a man who surrendered himself entirely to the throne. He is a banal man who focuses on only political and social order. When Kreon finds out about how Antigone has tried to buried Polynieces, he feels as though he has no choice other than to sentence Antigone to death. “My mind is spilt at this awful sight. I know her. I cannot deny Antigone is here. Alas, the unhappy girl, her unhappy father’s child. Oh what is the meaning of this? It cannot be you that they bring for breaking the royal law, caught in open shame.” (Page 13 lines 10-19) It is extremely apparent that the decision to sentence Antigone to death has no benefit to Kreon. He relied on Antigone to marry his son, Haemon, in order to prove that he was a legitimate heir to the throne after Oedipus’s sons passed away. However, Kreon is so adamant about following the laws and his reputation as a leader, that even after Haemon begged Kreon to spare Antigone’s life, he still refused. Kreon is so blind with stubbornness that he does not think about the result it will create. Kreon could have avoided the deaths of Antigone, Haemon and Eurydice, if he had simply listened to his son’s pleas. It was not until the blind prophet, Tiresias, told Kreon that the gods were angry with him that he had a change in heart and decided to drop the charges against Antigone. However, at this point it was too late. After the death of his wife and son

are announced all Kreon wants is for his life to be over. “Let me go, let me go. May death come quick, bringing my final day. O let me never see tomorrow’s dawn” (Page 44 line 16-20). At the end of the novel, much pity is felt for Kreon. Although he made a major error in judgement when sentencing Antigone to death, he ultimately tried to do the right thing by renouncing Antigone’s punishment in the end.
In my opinion, Kreon deserves more pity, while Antigone deserves more sympathy. All Antigone did was try to give her brother the proper burial he deserved, while Kreon was too focused on his pride and standing as a ruler, which ultimately was his hubris. Most of my pity for Kreon emerges from him doing the right thing in the end, which proves that he has a good heart. However, what he did cannot be undone which is heartbreaking for him to realize, especially since he is the cause of these misfortunes. Antigone deserves more sympathy because acted as the brave heroine in the play. She did what she believed was right in her heart, and took a stand against those who disagreed with her. She knew the risks of getting caught, and died an honorable death.