Not Listening In Sophocles 'Antigone'

Antigone

Not understanding or listening to the opinion of others can frequently have unfortunate consequences and even lead to tragedy. In the play, Antigone, written by Sophocles, the two main characters, Antigone and Creon, both failed to listen which led to the death of several people. It was exhibited how important it is to acknowledge the truth and this was the central theme of the play. The conflict between Antigone and Creon started because they had opposing viewpoints of whether or not Antigone’s brother, Polyneices, should have been buried after he died in battle. Antigone strongly believed that Polyneices should have because it was the law of the gods and they are eternal, while man’s laws are not. However, Creon, on the other hand,

felt as if he shouldn’t have because he was portrayed as a traitor and traitors do not deserve honor. It took inner accommodation for him to realize burying was the right option, but it was too late for Antigone to witness this. Not only in Antigone did people not listen to each other’s beliefs, but it occurs in the modern day too. For example, in state politics, both democrats and republicans do not listen to the point of views from each other. This has then led to horrible outcomes and tragedies just like it did in the play, Antigone, such as no state budget being reached in 2 years which could potentially lead to the early closing of Chicago public school in addition to other things.
Like stated, both characters in the play, Antigone and Creon, did not listen at times while holding a conversation where they did not agree with the other person.

In the end, the result or tragedy of not listening to the perspective of others in this case, was the suicide of Antigone. Her trait of being stubborn has allowed for her to act this way. When Antigone demonstrated this behavior, it was when she was talking to her sister, Ismene. As the two sisters were arguing about their brother, she tells Ismene, “Go away, Ismene: I shall be hating you soon, and the dead will too, for your words are hateful. Leave me my foolish plan: I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, it will not be the worst of deaths ––death without honor” (1, 77-81). Antigone being stubborn led her to ignore and fail to recognize her own sister’s view on Polyneices’ burial throughout their conversation. She was furious at her sister for not agreeing with her so she didn’t bother to acknowledge what Ismene had to say if it involved not burying Polyneices. Completing this action led her to going to prison and committing suicide which is considered the tragedy of the play. Sometimes you won’t always get what you want to hear, but you should still try and see where the person you are talking to is coming from. After Antigone got caught for somewhat burying Polyneices, Ismene tried to take the blame and says, “You are laughing at me. Why, Antigone? Antigone: It’s a joyless laughter, Ismene” (2,

442-443). Antigone laughing and not taking Ismene seriously proves that she did feel any need to understand her point of view. She should have listened because in the end, maybe people would not have died and their problems would be solved. Antigone failing to recognize her sister’s opinion allowed for a series of tragic events to occur which didn’t have to happen if she had listened.
Not only did Antigone fail to understand or recognize the views of others, but Creon did too.

Similarly to Antigone, he faced a great deal of hardship as well. After Antigone committed suicide, so did Haimon, which led Eurydice, Creon’s wife, to kill herself too after finding out the horrendous news. This is considered a tragedy because he lost his family which is a devastating thing to experience. Starting out, Creon didn’t listen to Antigone since he didn’t approve of burying Polyneices. He told the servants: “Take her, go! You know your orders: take her to the vault and leave her alone there. And if she lives or dies, that’s her affair, not ours: our hands are clean” (4, 710-713). Creon felt no need to even consider acknowledging Antigone’s point of view because he was too furious that she went behind his back and somewhat buried Polyneices. So instead of trying to understand her perspective, he just commanded the servants to take Antigone to her “dungeon.” Failing to recognize her opinion and not coming to a compromise, allowed the tragedies to later occur: Antigone committing suicide, along with Haimon and Eurydice. When discussing with the blind prophet, Tiresias, about Creon’s refusal to bury Polynices and his punishment of Antigone, he tells him, “Do what you will, go into business, make money, speculate in India gold or that synthetic gold from Sardis, get rich otherwise than by my consent to bury him” (4, 820-822). Tiresias told King Creon that the Gods will put

curses down on Thebes. He then suspected this to be false so he cursed Tiresias. Just like with Antigone, Creon did not agree with Tiresias statements, therefore, he did not care to understand what he had to say. In the end, Creon was at fault because not listening to Tiresias and Antigone allowed for him to be left without a family. Lastly, he failed to recognize the view of his own son, Haimon. After getting angry at him for defending Antigone in an argument, Creon tells him, “Fool, adolescent fool! Taken in by a woman” (2, 605). Throughout their conversation, Creon didn’t bother to listen to Haemon’s view on the situation since he stood with his finance, Antigone. Unfortunately, this issue then guided Haemon to make the decision to end his life. Evidently, Creon has lacked to hear out what other people have to say, which has led to drastic measures and tragedy.
However, the play, Antigone, isn’t the only thing that displays this type of behavior, but the modern era does too. Surprisingly, the story of Antigone that was written around 441 b.c. still applies to today. Just like how Creon and Antigone failed to perceive the views of others, the Democrats and Republicans in the state do it too. The Democrats do not listen to the Republicans and same goes for the Republicans not listening to the Democrats. The reason to that is because each side does not agree with one another’s beliefs, therefore, nothing gets done. Neither side ever gives in since they have contrasting opinions on topics and don’t truly hear each other out, just like Creon and Antigone didn’t either. The Republicans thinking one way and the Democrats thinking another has led to no state budget being reached in 2 years, which is a tragedy for the people in the state. Many people in the state suffer because the bills are not being paid causing schools in Chicago to close early, teachers not being paid, and children not being educated. In addition to that, those who did not vote for the Republican and president, Donald Trump, refuse to listen to what he says. People who do not agree with his statements go against his wishes and protest, similarly in Antigone where the main character buried Polyneices without Creon’s acceptance. With this being said, it is extremely important to listen to other people’s views so it does not lead to catastrophes like it did in the play, Antigone, and it does with Democrats and Republicans.
Clearly, both Antigone and Creon failed to understand the views of others which led to an unhappy ending and dreadful events. The tragedy of Antigone, Haemon, and Eurydice committing suicide could have been avoided if Antigone and Creon had just listened to people’s opinions. Also, this occurs in the present day where Republicans and Democrats do not listen to each other causing a downfall in the state. Nobody is ever completely right or completely wrong and usually each side has something to offer so it is important to hear each other out. As you can see, it is essential for this to occur so misfortune does not transpire.