Antigone and The Conflict with Creon

An essay about cirling the conflict between Antigone and Creon from the book "Antigone" by Sophocles.

In the story of “Antigone” originally written by Sophocles, there is a vivid picture of contrasting spirits from the protagonist and the antagonist. They both show flaws in their character as humans from being too vulnerable to being too powerful. Antigone is a self-effacing and saintly woman. As an ordinary individual, she sees the divine laws by pleasing God without sacrificing the consideration of integrity. One of her defining moment was when she fights for the honor of her dead brother. Unlike the protagonist, Creon is a character of a feared ruthless ruler. His understanding on the divine laws is different from what Antigone believes in. For him, giving honor to rebellious individuals displeases God. As a ruler holding the highest power over Thebes, Creon considers his own words as the foundation of political and civic laws.

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The conflict between Antigone and Creon begins after the death of her two brothers during Thebes’ civil war. Creon declares that Polynieces one of the dead brothers would be left unburied on the battlefield. Polynieces, accused of rebellion is forbidden to receive honor of his death and the sanctity of being buried. This announcement made by Creon provokes the once timid Antigone, who on the other hand buries the dead herself. When Creon discovers that Polynieces’ corpse has been buried against his decree, he summoned Antigone and her innocent sister Ismene.  They were then on locked in prison and buried alive. He first thought what he has done pleases the Gods but it turns out to be a curse to him. In the end, he retains his power, but he lost his family including his son and wife.

 

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2 Comments

  1. Posted October 29, 2009 at 4:04 am

    Nice one…

  2. Posted November 4, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    Nice work,Thanks for posting:)

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