Antigone and Creon are set on opposite point of views from
each other. Both are stubbornly set on the validity of the side they support. Creon
reigns down on his decree to leave Polynices for the “birds and dogs to tear”
(230) and rules over his decree with an iron fist. Creon is infatuated with
government and policy being the supreme authority over the rights of people.
Antigone is strong willed and even goes as far as telling Ismene to “tell the
world” (101) about her plan. There is no way for the two to make a compromise.
From a neutral standpoint both are flawed in their standpoint and it all comes
down to ethics. They both only recognize one duty in their arguments. Antigone
stresses the Grecian principles regarding funeral rights and loyalty to your family.
Creon emphasizes the duty to ones own city-state and the unwavering obedience
to one’s king. Creon’s pride and jurisdiction is based on that of a tyrant’s. His
rule is an unyielding and harsh weight upon those he governs. The second time
the chorus comes in, they warn against those who “wed [themselves] to
inhumanity” (414). It stressed the ability of man to accomplish his goals but
warned of the misfortune that would come for not taking the common good and his
Gods in consideration. Creon talks about his “ship of state” (180) and how he
has “righted her once more” (182). It’s as if Creon’s goal only lies in keeping
the ship assailed but he is not worried about the destination. He is a flawed leader who only worries about
the current state of his land instead of the policies and ultimate end goals.
The stability of the current city-state cannot be Creon's only concern, he cannot abandon all principles to suit his needs of crushing Polynices and any other defiance. He seems to be blind to Antigone's very basic need for her brother's rights.
I believe that Creon is doing what is right for his country. I feel denying proper burial for Polynices is signifying a warning to his people. It forewarns the citizens of Thebes that if they dare fight against their city, then there are consequences. Consequences such as: loss of burial rites and now being considered a traitor. A traitor was what Polynices was. On the other had, Creon can be viewed as "a flawed leader" and I can see that also. He declares no rites to burial for Polynices and death to anyone who defies his decree. Also, like you said "he seems to be blind to Antigone's very basic need for her brother's right." He values law and order over family and honor.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast in the powerful opinions and beliefs of Creon and Antigone set up a deeper meaning of a religion v. state rooted within Thebes and Greek mythology. As Austin mentions on my post, how does anyone know which is right and which is wrong? Is this dependent on the situation it's used in? Religion and law are two completely contradictory extremes that both Antigone and Creon feel compelled to exert into their society. By respecting religion and disobeying law or vice versa, who is really doing the right thing?
ReplyDelete