The opening occasions of the play rapidly secure the focal clash. Creon has proclaimed that the trickster Polynices should not be given legitimate entombment, and Antigone is the singular case out of many others who will talk against this announcement and demand the hallowedness of crew. While Antigone sees no legitimacy in a law that slights the obligation relatives owe each other, Creon's perspective is precisely inverse. He has no utilization for any individual who places private ties over the benefit of all, as he declares solidly to the Chorus and the gathering of people as he rejoices in his triumph over Polynices. Creon's first discourse, which is ruled by words, for example, "standard," "law," "arrangement," and "announcement," …show more content…
demonstrates the degree to which Creon focuses on government and law as the preeminent power. In the middle of Antigone and Creon there could be no bargain they both discover total legitimacy in the individual loyalties they maintain. In the battle in the middle of Creon and Antigone, Sophocles' crowd would have perceived a real clash of obligations and qualities.
In their moral rationality, the antiquated Athenians obviously perceived that clashes can emerge between two different yet legitimate standards, and that such circumstances call for functional judgment and thought. From the Greek perspective, both Creon's and Antigone's positions are defective, in light of the fact that both distort moral life by perceiving stand out sort of "great" or obligation. By misrepresenting, each one disregards the way that a clash exists whatsoever, or that thought is fundamental. In addition, both Creon and Antigone show the unsafe blemish of pride in the way they defend and do their choices. Antigone concedes right from the earliest starting point that she needs to complete the entombment on the grounds that the activity is "magnificent." Creon's pride is that of a despot. He is resolute and relentless, unwilling all through the play to listen to guidance. The risk of pride is that it heads both these characters to neglect their human finitude—the limits of their own …show more content…
forces. Strangely, the hilarious, lower-class emissary is the main character to show the vulnerability and watchful weighing of choices needed by handy judgment.
The sentry has no altered thought of a fitting gameplan. He says that as he was coming to convey his message, he was out to lunch, turning over and over again, considering the outcomes of what he may say and do. The sentry's comic wavering appears, right now, in the same way as the main sensible method for acting in this general public: dissimilar to Creon or Antigone or even Ismene, the sentry considers the conceivable plan B to his current circumstance. As a comic character, the sentry counterbalances the ruthless power of Creon's will. Though the clash in the middle of Creon and Antigone is a savage crash of two restricting, strong wills, Creon's treachery is clearest when he guarantees to slaughter the sentry if the individual in charge of Polynices' internment is not
found. The two times the Chorus talks in this area, it appears to favor Creon and the secured force of Thebes. The Chorus' first discourse (117–179) depicts the obstructed pride of the attacking foe: Zeus loathes grandiosity and boasting. Yet this paean to the triumph of Thebes through the graces of Zeus has a quietly basic edge. The Chorus' concentrate on pride and the fall of the prideful remarks mischievously on the stiff necked attitude we have recently seen in Antigone and will see in Creon. Few talks in the Oedipus plays are more swollen with affectedness than Creon's first discourse, where he expect the "amazing undertaking of setting the city's course" and repeats his pronouncement against the backstabber Polynices (199). The second choral tribute starts on an idealistic note however gets to be darker at the end. This tribute commends the "miracle" of man, yet the Greek word for brilliant (deinon) has as of now been utilized twice within the play with the meaning of "appalling" or "alarming" (the delivery person and Chorus use it to portray the perplexing internment of the body). The Chorus appears to acclaim man for having the capacity to perform whatever objective he sets his sights on—intersection the ocean in winter, catching winged creatures and monsters, taming wild steeds. Be that as it may the purpose of the tribute is that while man may have the capacity to ace nature by creating strategies to accomplish his objectives, man ought to detail those objectives by mulling over the "disposition and brain for law," equity, and the benefit of everyone. Overall, man turns into a beast. In his first discourse, Creon likewise utilizes symbolism of authority to portray the way he represents he holds the "boat of state" on course (180). The legitimate issue with Creon's talk is that keeping up the boat can't be a definitive decent or objective in life, as he assumes. Boats go on account of some further end, not for the sole purpose of voyaging. Essentially, the strength of the state may be vital, however simply because that dependability empowers the quest for other human objectives, for example, honoring family, gods, and loved ones.
The plot revolves around a story of Antigone’s struggle to give Polynices, her brother, his final rights by giving him a proper burial, despite the fact that Creon has forbid for anyone to do so as Polynices was a traitor to Thebes and its people. One major struggle throughout the play is the apparent conflict between Antigone and Creon. Creon and Antigone have temperaments that clash with each other. Antigone values passion while Creon values the state. Although they have very different values, Antigone and Creon have very similar personalities. They are both stubborn, independent people who are so similar that they can never see eye to eye on issues. Both Antigone and Creon are filled with pride and passion in their beliefs. These traits can be considered both very advantageous and moral as well as being a negative trait that represents the stubbornness in human beings. Antigone and Creon are incredibly proud, making it impossible for either one to concede defeat once they have taken a stand for what they believe in. As stated by Tiresias “stubbornness brand...
To open, the things he said showed how he changed and became the tragic hero of the play. Many of his statements reveal his personality including his admirable parts and his flaws. When Creon says: "I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly," (Sophocles, scene 1,24-26), it shows his strong sense of nationalism and leadership which catches up with him in the end. "The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their necks at the pull of the smallest curb" (scene 2,76-79) is what Creon says to Antigone after finding out she is the one who buried Polynieces. He thinks that if Antigone wasn't so headstrong and arrogant then she could have avoided the consequence he was about to give her. I think Creon was being a hypocrite because he is just as stubborn as she is. The reason why Creon and Antigone come in to so much conflict is because their ways of thinking are almost exactly alike. "It is hard to deny the heart! But I will do it: I will not fight with destiny" (scene 5, 100), is a statement that shows Creon detecting his fault and how he needs to correct it. After talking to Teiresias, the blind prophet, he realizes in order for the higher powers to forgive him he needs to release Antigone. "Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust" (exodos, 138). Creon recognizes his flaw and its consequences but it is too late because fate has already occurred.
Sophocles play titled Antigone, embellishes the opposing conflicts between Antigone who stands for the values of family, and Creon who stands for the values of state. Sophocles explores the depths of Antigone’s morality and the duty based on consequence throughout the play, as well as the practical consequences of Creon who is passionate and close-minded. Although Antigone’s moral decisions appear to be more logical and favorable than Creon’s, a personal argument would be that both characters’ decisions in society can be equally justified.
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.
Within these lines, Antigone reveals that she holds herself sanctimonious over her king by admitting his punishment is “nothing” compared to the “agony” she will face if she leaves her brother unburied. She also conveys a nonchalant attitude towards the repercussions of her action when she mocks Creon accusing him of being a “fool.” Although Antigone is aware that others such as her sister, Ismene and her fiancée, Haemon—the son of Creon, may suffer because of her act of civil disobedience, she is unwilling to abandon her protest to negotiate in a peaceful manner. This conduct implies that she does not completely comprehend the seriousness of her action or understand the weight of her crime rendering her approach inconsistent with King’s theory.
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.
Choosing to follow authority and the law is admirable and important in order to have a stable society; however, prioritizing family over all is imbedded in humanity. Family is part of one’s identity and greatly affects one's morals and opinions. If a person solely lives a rigid life, following authority over family, then compassion and the ability to be flexible is lost. Sophocles poses if authority or family is superior through the characters Antigone and Creon as their actions and opinions drastically contrast. Creon puts more importance on his rule and the law, while Antigone emphasizes the devotion to her bloodline and the gods. Antigone, although depicting that authority and the king’s rule is important, puts more importance
This play makes one reconsider what make people righteous and what make them temporarily lose judgment. I find it very interesting because no matter how old this play is, the concept is real and initially got through to the audience. It taught me that sometimes one must break the rules to do the right thing. Antigone does this by challenging Creon’s orders and organizing a proper burial for her brother Polyneices. Sometimes one must follow the rules to do what is right. Creon allowed his pride to get ahead of his priorities. He did not follow the wishes of the gods and was therefore penalized. Just like in this play, life is confusing and full of choices. We must find the light of truth and justice amongst the chaos in life.
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
The views of Antigone and Creon are opposed, and they both possess the same stubborn belief in their own righteousness. This ultimately brings them both to their tragic fate. At first we believe that Creon acts from sincere, patriotic and unselfish motives, and that he is acting out of a sincere belief that his decision is best for the state. This is shown in the first episode (lines 163 - 331), where Creon hopes to be a wise and good ruler. Later on we learn that he is too inflexible and narrow to heed criticism or admit fault, and that this causes all the misery in his life. The same is true of Antigone. She appears to be a very compassionate individual in the prologue; however, later on we learn that she is also stubborn and unwilling to bend in her beliefs, which ultimately leads her to her tragic fate.
Antigone’s two purposes for giving this speech are centered on her two main audiences, Creon and the citizens of Thebes. In reference to Creon, Antigone’s purpose is to convey that even after being caught, she does not fear his power, or her punishment. She desires to show him that she stands by the justness of her actions and the injustice of her conviction. To display this, she refers to her ...
To begin with, an in depth analysis and understanding of Creon's intents and actions must be established in order to evaluate the reactions of Antigone and Ismene. The central conflict of Antigone derives from Polyneices' betrayal to the city of Thebes. As the ruler, Creon naturally feels compelled to exert his authority by refusing Polyneices a proper burial "for the birds that see him, for their feast's delight" (162). The grotesque imagery evoked not only illustrates Creon's endeavor to discourage further rebellion, but also portrays a personal defense to protect his pride; this need to reassert his pride significantly heightens with Antigone's involvement. From Creon's perspective, leniency represents vulnerability within a leader "if he does not reach for the best counsel for [Thebes], but through some fear, keeps his tongue under lock and key"(167). Throughout the play, the symbol of "tongue" frequently recurs, illustrating how society cond...
A specific strength of Creon, the major adult character in Antigone, is his ability to make his opinions known to the entire kingdom. One example of this is the major decision that is the focus of the entire story. After Antigone’s brother, Polyneices, died in battle against his own kingdom, Creon told the citizens of the land that no one was to bury the traitor. The king felt that the strict edict was necessary because Polyneices “broke his exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city. (193)” Creon knew that a traitor to the kingdom should not be honored with the same ceremony given to one who fought for his own kingdom.
Creon, in his paranoia was plagued with the feeling of incompetence and need to establish dominance. His decree that no one would bury Polyneices only provoked the people of Thebes into thinking of him as insensitive to their culture. When his ruling was disobeyed, only led him to him to believe that conspiracy was about and that no matter, family or not, he would punish Antigone, causing a chain reaction of events causing the loss of his entire family, except Ismene. Leaving the audience experiencing pity and fear for both characters.
..., 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.