Defining what the good life is can be a daunting task; however, defining what the good life is not is remarkably easier. While many people’s definition of the good life differ, they may agree more on what does not determine the good life. George Santayana wrote, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” suggesting that one of the best ways to learn is to look at others’ errors. Sophocles’s Antingone and the story of Mike Webster’s sports injury provide two key warnings of what the good life is not to help others define their own idea of the good life and avoid making the same mistakes. In Sophocles’ Antigone King Kreon serves as a prime example of how not to achieve the good life. King Kreon’s absolute rule and disregard …show more content…
His decree that outlaws the proper burial of Eurdyice is met with much disagreement from both Antigone and the Chorus. The Chorus sings, “when he weaves in the laws of the earth, and the gods’ sworn justice, he is high in his city; citiless is he who’s daring makes him join with what is not fine” (Sophocles, ). Despite the disagreement Kreon remains steadfast in his ruling eventually leading to Antigone breaking the law in order to give her brother proper burial rights. As a direct result of his own law being enforced he must punish Antigone at the cost of his reputation to his son and the people of Thebes. Kreon condemns Antigone to her death and ironically by doing this condemns his own misfortune. Antigone commits suicide, which then leads to Haemon’s suicide and Eurydice’s suicide as well. Kreon’s unwillingness to bend the law inevitably ends with everyone he loves killing themselves leaving him alone wishing he was dead as well. Even after the deaths of his wife, son, and to be daughter-in-law Kreon must continue to rule, regardless of his distraught state. His severe unhappiness will affect his ability to rule, creating turmoil within the polis leaving the people of Thebes without a competent ruler and the needs of the masses unattended. The affect of one law developed from a mere ripple into a wave dousing everyone with misfortune and unhappiness. This extreme