Sophocles, Antigone Questions
Sophocles, Antigone
- Why does Creon refuse to allow Polynices to be buried? What does this decision tell us about Creon’s worldview and values? Does Creon or your view of Creon change over the course of the play? If so, how and where and why?
“But as for his blood brother, Polynices, who returned from exile, home to his father-city and the gods of his race, consumed with one desire–to burn them roof to roots–who thirsted to drink his kinsmen’s blood and sell the rest to slavery: that man–a proclamation has forbidden the city to dignify him with burial, mourn him at all.”
According to Creon, Polynices betrayed the people of their city and fought against them in war and as such any man who dishonors their country is worth nothing. Creon strongly believes in loyalty to his people and the laws of the land. He is strong-willed, demands respect and refuses to stand by while others bring destruction upon his land and his people. He also believes that whatever a man gets is what he deserves. Creon maintained this brave, no non-sense, and egotistical persona throughout the play.
- Why does Antigone believe that she not only must bury Polynices, despite Creon’s order, but also “shout it out”? What does this tells us about Antigone’s worldview and values?
“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! I have longer to please the dead than please the living here: in the kingdom down below I’ll lie forever.”
Just like Creon, Antigone also believes in honor and loyalty. Whether her brother betrayed their land, he is still her brother and should be treated in death as he would in life. Their father died and although he was hated and his reputation ruined he was still buried. Her brother, Eteocles, also had a burial because he fought to defend and protect the land, Antigone just believes Polynices should be buried as well and not left for the birds to feed off. She does not see betrayal, disloyalty or dishonor when she thinks of her brothers, to her they are family, her blood and her loved ones and they should get the best and a burial should not be excluded. Antigone wanted everyone to know she was not a traitor and she did not care what the outcome would be, she was going to do what she believes is right and that is honoring her brother’s life and not be a traitor.
- Though Antigone and Creon and the values each represents are obviously in conflict in the play, are the two alike in any way?
Although Creon and Antigone were fighting for different reasons and were in conflict with each other because of what they were fighting for, I strongly believe they are exactly alike. You can see why I would think that based on the responses I gave to the questions in one and two. Antigone was standing in her belief, love and loyalty to her brother and was determined to give him a burial he deserved despite what the consequences were and how the people of the land would react. Likewise Creon was holding firm in his laws and what was set forth as the punishment for betrayal. He was never going to let Polynices have a burial and he too was staying true to the laws of the land and of course his own belief. Creon and Antigone were both very egotistical as well because as much as they were doing what they thought was right, their beast of an ego also showed itself in a lot of what they were saying and doing.