Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles depicting Antigone’s defiance of Creon, the King of Thebes. Antigonus, Antigone’s father and ruler of Thebes had died in a battle with the neighboring city-state, Argos. Antigone’s brother Polynices had led an attack on his native city, Thebes in an attempt to seize power. Antigone and her sister Ismene were loyal to Antigonus and when he died they continued to cherish the memory of his leadership. Antigone buried Polynices’ body when Creon ordered it left unburied as a punishment for treason.
Antigone’s resolve against Creon was so strong she did not care what happened to her because she “believed that piety toward the dead takes precedence over every other law”. Antigone went on to say, “in death, there can be no evil” (Lattimore). She followed Antigonus’ dying wish that she give up her prideful ways despite what others might do or say about it. Antigone felt very conflicted with the actions Creon was imposing on her family. Antigone conveyed to Creon that Antigonus had fought against the enemy, Argos for Thebes and Antigonus had died because of it.
Antigonus’ death was not in vain if Antigone continued living out his words of wisdom. Antigone claimed that she did everything she could to show their father how much they loved him by “following this course of action”. Antigone believed that burying Polynices would bring peace back to Thebes because Antigonus would be remembered as a great king. Creon represents what is wrong with society; he seeks control through fear, violence, and tyranny (Lattimore). Antigone saw Creon as a cruel ruler who was not concerned with the people.
Antigone’s point of view about Creon is that he “saw everything from his own perspective and did not seek knowledge through dialogue” (Lattimore). Antigone had no plans to change her mind about what she believed was right, which made it difficult for Antigone to talk to Creon because they were at odds. Antigone held on tight to her beliefs after trying so hard to show their father love by burying Polynices’ body. Antigonus’ dying wish would have been for Antigone and Ismene to respect their ways and follow in his footsteps.
Antigonus believed that Antigone should not do anything to jeopardize the love Antigone and Ismene had for Antigonus. Antigone’s stubbornness led her to be put in jail; then sentenced to death because she refused Creon’s order that her brother’s body was to remain unburied. Antigone realized how valuable her knowledge was when Antigone told Creon, “he has deprived me of my understanding which I still valued above all else…you have taken away the light of day from me” (Lattimore). Antigone approached Creon about what Antigonus wanted but he did not care enough to talk it over with Antigone.
Antigone is to die. ” Antigone, too, speaks of Creon’s pridefulness and stubbornness saying, “The human race will judge him as it thinks fit. But I am certain that he has never changed his mind once it was made up . He does nothing for any other reason than that it pleases him to do so. ” Antigone clearly idolizes her uncle; she says that the more powerful Creon becomes, the more humble he should be towards people like Tiresias and Antigone herself. Unfortunately for Antigone, Creon isn’t at all kind or empathetic towards Antigone or Tiresias; some would even say he is cruel.
Antigone even says, “I have been ready to die from the time I left you” because Antigone thinks that Creon has betrayed her. Antigone sees Creon as a man who gains pleasure from Antigone being away from her family and friends. In Sophocles’ Antigone, Creon is a stubborn ruler who turns his back on his own niece Antigone. He refuses to listen to other’s opinions other than his own and he also sentences Antigone to death without consideration for everyone else involved in the situation. Creon shows no empathy towards Antigone or anyone else throughout the play leading up to Antigone’s death sentence against him.
However, Antigone still idolizes Creon. Antigone feels that if Creon had more power, he would be more humble towards people like Antigone and Tiresias. Antigone is disappointed in Creon for not being the person she thought he was. In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone’s uncle Creon is a stubborn ruler who rarely ever listens to anyone else’s opinions other than his own. He also turns his back on Antigone for burying her brother against a law set by him, which eventually leads to Antigones’ death sentence against him.
Throughout the play, Creon shows no remorse or empathy towards anyone involved in Antigones’ making him seem cruel and heartless. Antigone idolizes her uncle Creon because she believes that if he was more powerful, then he would be kinder and more empathetic towards people like Antigone and Tiresias. Antigone is disappointed with Creon for not being the person she thought he was which leads to Antigones’ death sentence against him for his actions. In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon shows a stubbornness to always do things his own way which causes Antigonus to wish that Creonis dead.
Antigonus wants to take over as king of Thebes, but since Creonis still alive it puts a stop to all his plans. To get what Antigonus wants done, he wishes Creonis dead. Antigonus must stay true to his word to make Creonis die Antigone is sentenced to death by Antigonus’ wish against Creon. Antigone knows she should not have buried her brother, but she did it anyway because it was the right thing to do which makes Antigonus’ sentence unfair. Antigones loyalty and love for her family cause Antigonus’ selfish wishes to come true.