Antigone Questions
- 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?
Polynices is refused to be given a burial because he is considered the enemy of Thebes. When Creon becomes the king, he makes the proclamation to forbid anyone from burying Polynices’ body. Although the burial practice is an important religious act that the Greeks must obey, Creon still creates his own law against it.
“No, he must be left unburied, his corpse
carrion for the birds and dogs to tear,
an obscenity for the citizens to behold!”
Creon insist that the traitor must be dishonored. Being the king of Thebes, Creon sees himself as having all power. Everyone must follow his orders. Therefore, if he says this is right, it must be right, and no one should ever go against his words.
When he knew that Antigone disobeyed his law and buried Polyneices, he becomes so angry and punishes her with death. Creon is very certain of his action, not considering what is morally right. If he doesn’t punish her, he must not be the man. When Tyresias come talk to him, he still believes that he is hearing fool. His ego is too big and he is full of himself. He only regrets his acts and decisions after witnessing the tragedy that comes to his family. However, his regret is too late.
To make his law above the law of gods, Creon is described as a tyrant. During the course of this play, we can see what matters the most is his own view, not the other’s. He is given the power of the king, and overuses it for his follies
- Why does Antigone believe that she not only must bury Polynices, despite Creon’s order, but also “shout it out” (Part I)? What does this tell us about Antigone’s worldview and values?
Antigone goes against the law to bury Polynices because of her love for his brother and of own right.
She says that if she has lost a husband, she would not sacrifice her life because she could still fight another man. However, since both her father and mother have passed away, losing her brother, it is impossible for her to have another brother again.
“But mother and father both lost in the halls of Death,
no brother could ever spring to light again.”
Giving Polynices a burial is the last thing she could do for his beloved brother. Even though this is forbidden by the king, she believes that it is totally irrational. Nothing can go beyond the law of gods. What Antigone does is morally right and must not be punished.
Knowing she might face death with her decision, she is not afraid.
“Dear God, shout it from the rooftops. I’ll hate you
all the more for silence–tell the world!”
She wants to tell everyone that she is going to bury her brother, because there is nothing wrong with that. She is confident and wants to show her voice. She knows the people of Thebes agree with her but are too afraid to speak up. Moreover, she is not going to be submissive just because she is woman in the powerful kingdom of man.
Question: How is Antigone relevant to today?
In my opinion, the story we learn from Antigone is somewhat related to our current world issue. Antigone tells us a tragedy of a family, where there are conflicts of opinions and beliefs. Both Antigone and Creon face death as a price for their actions. One is a heroin who steps up for her moral belief, and one is a tyrant who abuses his authority.
When Donald Trump became the president of the United States, a lot of people are afraid, because we do not know what kind of things he can do with his power. Yes, he promises he will bring benefits for American people. It is unfair to disapprove his qualifications and capabilities, because we still need to wait for his results. However, Donald Trump’s words and actions have created himself a negative image. Are we afraid that he will overuse his authority?
Last month, he signed an executive order that banned people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States in 90 days. In a bigger picture, this was for the safety of American people. However, has he been irrational about this? Did he include these seven countries like how Creon accused Ismene just because she was Antigone’s sister? Did he consider the sudden impacts on these people’s life? There were people were holding legal status to study and work in the U.S. They were not informed of this immigration ban when they were travelling back to their countries. They did nothing wrong, and their plans were suddenly interrupted. There were legal immigrants, who for years have been waiting for this arrival, then were forbidden from entering the country right at the airports.
The Americans, who were against this ban, raised their voices and brought their actions, just like Antigone did. There were lawyers who worked extra hours trying to protect the rights of the people who were banned. There also government officials who ‘disobeyed’ the president’s order. Sally Yates, an acting Attorney General was fired for defying Trump.
Every action of President Donald Trump will be watched and responded by public. However, in this world full of noises, would we be able to quickly justify what is right and what is wrong? Can we trust that the president will act on behalf of this country, not himself, with his authority?