Antigone Questions and Response

Questions 1-3

“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.Do as you like, dishonor the laws the gods hold in honor.” This preceding quote hones in on Antigone’s moral compass and gives insight into her beliefs. Antigone believes that she must bury Polynices and “shout it out” as well. She does not think that Creon is valid in his decree and finds it to be in opposition of what the gods would want. Simply put she also loves and respects her brother; Polynices was family and died a terrible death as it is. Antigone has been troubled with death as it has been a family trend and this death is no exception.  In Antigone’s mind, she is doing the right thing by defying Creon’s order even if death is the penalty. She is not afraid or ashamed of her decision to burry her brother. Antigone values family, honor and ritual and sees Creon’s rule as invalid.

Creon’s “ship of State” address is one of contradiction. He begins his address to the city’s people using flattery; Creon tells the people that they are loyal. The address in its initial stages seems humbling and one of admiration towards the residents however, the tone begins to change. Creon begins to deploy his decry amongst the people mentioning that Polynices must not be buried and that he is a traitor. He also states that punishment is death for defying his orders. Creon can be seen as a ruthless leader, not giving a proper ritualistic burial to his own family. Creon does not allow the burial because Polynices took part in the city’s attack. My view of Creon changes towards the end of the literature as he faces so much loss and death within his own family however he is at fault for these occurrences.