Introduction Antigone and Creon Essay Example

Introduction: Antigone and Creon Essay INTRODUCTION Antigone Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, the king that married his own mother, Locaste and unwittingly killed his father, Laios. When he learned what he had done, he blinded himself and left Thebes, voluntarily went into self-style exile and died over there. Antigone and Ismene are siblings, the only surviving children of Oedipus. The other two brothers Polyneices and Eteocles quarreled and killed each other in a battle when Polyneices returned to assault Thebes, then Creon, Antigone uncle became the king of Thebes being the only heir in line to the throne. Creon ordered Polyneices be left to rot unburied on the battle field as a traitor but Antigone could not see reason to let her brothers body rot unburied. Antigone died for her love and loyalty to her family. These two surviving sisters Antigone and Ismene, were then raised by their uncle, Creon, who later installed himself as King. ? Creon Creon was not a crown Prince but after the death of all the surviving sons of King Oedipus, he was next in line to be the king. And I, as the next in blood, he succeeded to the full power of the throne. (Literature for Composition. 64. 15) He was a character that valued loyalty to the homeland above anything else. His address at the Palace portrait him as a person that will reward loyalty and punish, severely, a traitor. His order that Polyneices body be left to rot unburied as a traitor was not intentionally to offend the gods but rather to show that traitors whether dead or alive will be punished, thus demanding total loyalty to the state. This will forestall further possible trouble maker that could probably instigate the public against the State and make his reign a difficult period. We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction: Antigone and Creon specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction: Antigone and Creon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction: Antigone and Creon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The mistake he made was not to have chosen appropriate punishment this could be as a result of his lack of knowledge of what is expected from a true heir to the throne and waits too late to heed well-meaning advice. ARGUMENT 1)Knowledgeable about the law 2)Affinity for disobedience 3)Affinity for loyalty 4)Known for Principle 5)Disastrous End 6)Pride ? Knowledgeable about the law Antigone did not claim not to have known the laws of the land but with all understanding, she concluded in her mind to follow her conscience and do what she thought was right and thereby go against the law of the king. She valued family pride over the authority of the king. Leaving the dead unburied is against the natural laws of the gods, she then chose to disobey the Kings law by attempt to bury her brother, Polyneices. But I will bury him; and if I must die Literature for Composition 462. 55 Creon on the other hand, though he installed himself as king, he then put himself in a position to have known better the laws of the gods. Perhaps, this could have been one of the snares in the process that awaits any unqualified person who tries to be king. A true heir to the thrown should have in-depth knowledge about the community law and the laws of the gods; therefore, he would have guided against either avoiding making laws that runs contrary to the laws of the gods or by putting himself in an uncompromised position. He could have been briefed of most of the rules and regulation as a formal process before a prince is allowed to ascend the thrown. In absence of that, the office he occupied justify that he knows the law. I am aware of course, that no ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office. Literature for Composition. 464. 17) Affinity for disobedience Laws are made, whether written or unwritten to warn people to desist from such act as contained/proclaimed in the law or run contrary to it. It is so human to see that existing laws is broken. Antigone, for her reason, would rather disobey the law to become a hero. Creon also would not obey the law of the gods. These are the same gods he p roclaimed that Polyneices wage war against and therefore deserve not to be buried. He mentioned gods of the land so often that one would have believed he had reverence for them yet he defies the gods. Affinity for loyalty Antigone was absolutely loyal to her family and demonstrates the bonding between a brother and sister while Creon cherishes loyalty above all as demonstrated in his (what could be said to be) inaugurate speech. He loves the State with passion and would do anything to ensure law and order. Known for Principle Both characters are well known for their principled positions in the play. They would not succumb to a persuasive opinion. Antigone would not allow Ismene to be joined with her when she was standing trial at the Palace. No, Ismene. You have no right to say, so. You would not help me, and I will not have you help me. (Literature for Composition. 471. 151) Creon would not listen to a good counsel from his son. You have no right to trample on God’s right. (Literature for Composition. 475. 113) Disastrous End Antigone and Creon both paid for their disobedient. Antigone paid the ultimate price with her own life. Creon on the other hand was severely punished by gods; he suffers personal losses, his son and wife died on same day. He’s left unhappy and pleaded for death. Left behind a lone survival Ismene is the only surviving member of her family. Oedipus, father and brothers of Antigone, Ismene, Polyneices and Etocles killed his own father, Laios and married his mother. Upon discovery, he went into exile where he died and his wife and mother, Locaste also died. His two sons killed each other and Creon killed or was responsible for Antigone’s death. Creon is survived by himself. His son, Haimon killed himself and Eurydice, Creon wife committed suicide upon hearing the tragic loss of her son, Haimon PRIDE Antigone is too prideful by not obeying the law that King Creon has made for Theban citizens despite the fact that the law was publicly stated with ultimate punishment: that no one can bury Polyneices body. Instead of listening to her ruler, Antigone decides to bury her brother anyway simply because she loves him. It is because of this pride that she is later condemned to death. Making the king known that he is trapping on the law of the gods. It was Creons pride that prompts him to turn Polyneices into a villain. He on the other hand was been punished by gods for two grievous offences. He ordered that no one should burry Polyneices. He condemned innocent Antigone to death. He is too prideful to realize he can never be above gods in the eye of citizen of his country. Once a mistake is made and is realized, then there should be a change of heart. The change of heart should not be interpreted as a weakness in the leadership but a bold understanding of the subjects by the leaders