When Creon loses all of his family members due to his own lack of morality and reasoning, the embodiment of tragedy fully releases. Just as many other tragedies, multiple deaths occur in only a matter of a few lines and Creon is left to endure the pain of all of them. The swift and plentiful death count that presents itself as the play comes to the close is what makes it truly tragic. As each conversation ends a new person is found dead, leaving the audience dumbfounded in a way that they are unaware how this all just played out. The irony of it all is the lack of death Creon faces, but the burden of life he must endure. He cries "...why me? why are you killing me?.." (1414) when he is one of the only survivors of the depression that has fallen upon his loved ones. As the Leader says "For mortal men
there is no escape from the doom we must endure." (1458) and Creon's "doom" is to remain alive when all he knows and loves lies in the world of the dead. By punishing Creon with life, the Gods forbid him from the privileges and reliefs that come with death, Creon's family and order is now gone and none of the city's people will trust in him due to his irrational actions and abrupt decision making. Only one person is at fault for this tragedy and sudden sequence of deaths and that person is Creon himself.
Like many people say, death is the only form of escaping suffering. Majority of the characters are presented this gift; except Creon. Creon is, as you say, punished with life instead of death. The Gods understand the importance of making sure Creon pays for his consequences. To do this, they keep his life, as the rest of his loved ones have mournfully passed. The guilt Creon is pressured to feel for the rest of his life is a punishment for his fault in the multiple tragedies of the play.
ReplyDeleteSophocles's writing mirrors The Bard's quite well. As you mentioned, most of the deaths in the play occur in a few lines. The structure of the play allows for this quick deathly release. By enacting this structure, Sophocles facilitates the tragic wheel brilliantly. Creon feels every bit of his flaw down to his catharsis. Without stacking the deaths as he (Sophocles) does, the tragic wheel imparted would not yield such potent results.
ReplyDeleteSophocles's writing mirrors The Bard's quite well. As you mentioned, most of the deaths in the play occur in a few lines. The structure of the play allows for this quick deathly release. By enacting this structure, Sophocles facilitates the tragic wheel brilliantly. Creon feels every bit of his flaw down to his catharsis. Without stacking the deaths as he (Sophocles) does, the tragic wheel imparted would not yield such potent results.
ReplyDelete