Similarities Between Creon And Antigone

How does the Social Structure founded within a society ultimately lead to the defiance of human law and divine law by the people within it? Anouilh’s reimagined version of Antigone and Sophocles original Antigone and because of this, both texts emphasize the topic of Defiance of Law and Rebellion within the Social Structure by showing how flaws within it can cause its people to defy and rebel against human and divine laws. First, Antigone’s selfish determination to her guiding ideology places her in opposition to the governing male authority within a patriarchal society. Second, Creon’s selfish pride of consumption with the value of his own authority causes him to reject alternate perspectives by the people of his society.

Last, both Antigone and Creon start to segregate themselves from the commonly held beliefs of their society which thus result in their inevitable isolation.

Throughout both versions of “Antigone” by Sophocles and Anouilh, defiance and rebellion of the law - both human and divine law is prevalent by both characters as Creon and Antigone rebel against the governing ideologies that are set up in society and consequently find themselves alone with their values. This isolation and rebellion against the societal norms and expectations in society result in their deterioration throughout the plot.

Antigone’s selfish determination and rigid adherence to her guiding ideology place her in opposition to the governing male authority within a patriarchal society. She is not afraid to defy the law or the lawmaker if she believes the decree is wrong; this is shown when Antigone defies the decree made by Creon in the topic of burying her own brother, “You overrule

the unalterable, unwritten rules of god in heaven. You being only a man.” (Sophocles, 138) Antigone’s rebellion against the governing male authority caused her own isolation as the people of her own society would not support her. The male authority during the time was too overwhelming and frightening for any female character to defy the laws of society; this caused Antigone to become a target as she was alone in her fate. Antigone’s defiance of Human Law ultimately caused Creon to punish her leading to her suffering and physical death. In Anouilh’s version of the play, Antigone is portrayed as an “outgoing” causing her personality to relate to the women of the society as she is kind, likes nature, etc. but is not as determined as Sophocles version against decrees that are ruled in wrong context. Also, Antigone’s rebellion against the governing male authority causes her own isolation as she becomes a target which has devalued her goal and has eventually led to her own downfall. This is shown through the following quote, “[Ismene] I don’t want to die. [Antigone] I’d prefer not to die, myself.” (Anouilh, 18) As Antigone has created her own isolation as no one is willing to die or go against the King. This isolation devalues her goal of burying Polyneices eventually leading to her downfall by herself. Thus, Antigone’s determination in her prominent ideology causes her to become the opposition for the governing male authority that has become prevalent throughout the society.
Creon’s selfish pride of the value of his own authority causes him to reject alternate perspectives spoken by the people of his society.

Creon’s self-righteous attitude as stated through the quote, “Whatever you say, you will not change my will.” (Sophocles, 20) causes him to believe he is superior to all as he is King and thus does not listen to anyone. As spoken through the quote, Creon’s excessive pride causes him to be selfish and ignorant as he determines that no one can change his mind as he is “all-knowing” since he is King. This excessive pride showcased by Creon leads to his downfall and defiance of the divine law as he completely disregards and tries to justify his actions against the divine law (law created and planted in society by the gods) which become devalued each time he tries to justify his actions. In Anouilh’s version, it is again Creon’s selfishness and excessive pride that leads to his downfall. Creon’s super-ego stops him from listening to anyone as Creon becomes too “power-hungry”; this is shown through the following quote, “Curse you! Find the love for your outlet down there. No women while I live shall govern me.” (Anouilh, 66) This quote shows how Creon himself does not have the power to listen to others as he values his position in society more than the people in society. After talking to Teiresias, Creon doesn’t believe that Antigone could be right and that he could be wrong as his self-righteous just won’t allow him to listen, a characteristic

which is required to govern over a society. Thus, Creon’s self-righteous attitude and his value of his own position in society causes him to reject and despise alternate perspectives spoken by the people allocated in his society.
Throughout both versions of the play, both Antigone and Creon start to segregate themselves from the commonly held beliefs of their society which thus result in their inevitable isolation. Firstly, Creon starts to segregate himself from his belief in society causing his isolation from society as shown through the quote, “My own blind heart has brought me from darkness to final darkness.” (Anouilh, 69) as Creon has finally realized how his selfish mindset as well as his defiance of the Divine Law drove him into isolation from everyone and caused him to lose everything, his authority and power in society as well as his beloved son, Haemon. As with Antigone, she also started to segregate herself from society as soon as news spread that she was responsible for defying the decree by Creon (Human Law) which led to her isolation as shown through the quote, “I will bury him myself. And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him-- an outrage sacred to the gods!” (Sophocles, 100) As shown through the quote, Antigone’s defiance of the Human Law set by Creon led to her isolation but also strengthened her belief in her goal thus letting her die without any regrets. Creon’s isolation throughout the ending parts of the play show his dim attitude without any selfishness. Therefore, both Antigone and Creon start to separate themselves from the beliefs of society which thus results in their isolation within both versions of Antigone.
Throughout both versions of “Antigone” by Sophocles and Anouilh, defiance and rebellion of the law - both human and divine law is shown by the actions of both characters - Creon and Antigone as they rebel against the ideologies that are set up in society and as a result find themselves alone in isolation with their values. This isolation and rebellion against the social norms and expectations in society result in their deterioration throughout the plot of the play. First, Antigone’s selfish determination to her ideology guides and places her in opposition to the governing male authority and power throughout the society. Second, Creon’s selfish pride of the value of being King and possessing all power causes him to reject and to ignore input by the people of his society leading to his downfall. Last, both Antigone and Creon separate themselves from the common beliefs that are setup in their society thus resulting in their deteriorating isolation. Antigone and Creon both went against the laws of their society which ultimately caused them to become in isolation - this isolation resulted in their downfall in the physical death of Antigone and the emotional death of Creon as he lost everything in the spur of a moment.