...English 132 April 8, 2012 Creon’s Tragic Fall: A Look at Sophocles’ Antigone A tragic hero is defined by Aristotle’s Poetics as the protagonist in the story to whom something happens that elicits pity from the audience. For the most part, a tragic hero is a “virtuous” person whose life changes from being prosperous to being a life full of misfortune (Aristotle, Poetics). In other words, the tragic hero is someone of great social standing who begins the story at a very high point, but suffers their downfall because of a tragic flaw. In Sophocles’ Antigone the central theme of this play is the struggle between Antigone and her uncle Creon. The issue of burying Antigone’s brother Polynices is based on the ancient Greek philosophy of death, where any unburied body condemns its soul to torment. Basically, it was the duty of the family to bury their dead. Yet, this issue extended beyond family loyalty to a decree of piety by the gods. However, in the play, Creon goes against this celestial decree because he sees Polynices as a traitor for warring against him as a member of another army. As a means to set an example about the repercussions of disloyalty, Creon issues an edict to leave him unburied. As a man who starts the drama in as the respected king of Thebes, he gradually loses his family, his objectivity, and his power to his stubbornness and hubris that ultimately results in his downfall. Hence, Creon is a tragic hero in the Sophocles’ Antigone because his unbending pride...
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...power, Creon finds himself helpless, unable to act on his own. He wants not to execute Antigone but cannot help ordering her death. Having said yes to state power, he is circumscribed by his own kingship, by very the throne that makes him the master of the land. He has surrendered himself entirely to the state and knows his circumscription all too well. Unlike Antigone, he has completely ceded his desires to take upon the mantle of governance. Creon is rendered loathsome, terrified of what his office requires of him and yet unable to act otherwise. “If Haemon reaches the point where he stops growing pale with fear when I grow pale, stops thinking that I must have been killed in an accident when I am five minutes late, stops feeling that he is alone on earth when I laugh and he doesn't know why—if he too has to learn to say yes to everything—why, no, then, no! I do not love Haemon”. Antigone recants her love for Haemon toward the end of her confrontation with Creon. Creon has unmasked her brothers as treacherous gangsters, making her act and death march entirely gratuitous. Its political, moral, filial, and religious motivations appear entirely external. Thus Creon offers the dazed Antigone the promise of human happiness. This vision of human happiness provokes Antigone's final, fatal explosion. She refuses to moderate herself: she will have...
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...The question of who is right and who is wrong in Antigone between the two main characters, Creon and Antigone, is an issue that is directly dependant on the gods. In this case, it is Antigone who is right and Creon who is wrong in their decisions. Antigone's reasons were just and accepting of the gods' control when she accepted her fate, while Creon indirectly assumes control for himself by disregarding and disrespecting the gods which results in his unprepared outcome. It is important to understand the reasoning behind the characters' decision-making and how these decisions relate to the gods in order to understand the purpose of the story's outcome and it's sound chain of events. It is known that following the gods with respect is a sign of good fate and righteousness. Antigone is respectful of the gods throughout the story and even complies with her fate as she makes her final decision of whether to go through with her burial plans for Polynices. However, Creon is disrespectful many times towards the gods, in particular when he insults Zeus, when talking about Polynices' dead corpse, by saying " But you will never cover up that corpse, not if the very eagles tear their food from him, and leave it at the throne of Zeus." (Antigone, lines 1039-1041). Creon is wrong in disgracing Zeus' throne and presuming his own commands stand stronger than Zeus'. It is clear in the text that Creon has forgotten that the power that has been bestowed on him as a king would never amount the...
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...Shakespeare, and includes figurative language just like Shakespeare, but of course isn’t as good as him. This story took place in a city called Thebes, where Creon, Antigone, Haemon, Polynieces, and many more live. Creon is the King of Thebes and this theme is basically based off of him and the way he does things. He has to find a way to choose a ruler, and how he/she should govern Thebes. Creon is a tough ruler because of his loyalty to Thebes, but he will not let his family come over his decisions on what to do with the city. His nephew, Polynieces was a big traitor to Thebes, and hated the fact that his uncle was king and used to disagree on everything Creon had to say. Antigone does not like Creon as a ruler, because she thinks he can’t solve issues the town has. Creon does not care what Antigone has to say about him because he sees her as a threat to his power. In the story Antigone says,” If he cannot rule his own house, how can we expect him to rule Thebes?”(Lines 658-662) The son of Creon, Haemon also disagrees to what his father says. Haemon tries to break this disagreement by bringing up general understandings of how his father runs Thebes. Thebes is not like Athens, it is not a democracy, so it needs the support of the people. Haemon also helps his father despite the fact that he hates him, because Haemon does not want Creon to fail as a ruler, but Creon does not appreciate his help and ignores him constantly. Creon is always urging to be obedient even though his own...
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...Creon is approached by Leader, Haemon, and Ismene who all want Creon to spare Antigone’s life. Also, people close to him infer to him that the God’s will be pleased if he spares her life instead of bringing her “Down a path untrod by man” (226). Creon says, “Until you’ve first confessed to everything - yes, hanging from a cross” (203). Creon's decision to hang the sentry if he did not find who buried the body shows how Creon blindly places the state above family. Haemon says, “So let your anger cool, and change your mind” (222). Haemon feels Creon needs to be wise by good advice. In addition, Haemon says, “A one man state is no state at all” (224). Haemon feel’s like his father is similar to a dictator, that thinks everyone should abide all his rules. Creon's decision not to go back on his word shows his choice to stay blind, choosing wrong over right. Creon says, “I say she dies in front of him, before her bridegroom’s eyes” (225). At the end of the day, Creon still chooses to kill Antigone even after advice is given to him. Leader asks Creon, “You do not mean to kill both?” (226)...
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...show?Think about | Quite rich colours for example red and gold this will show his status and his importance. | What is your overwhelming purpose in life? | Haemon’s character is strange in his purpose, ultimately he is trying to dissuade Creon from carrying out his actions, but this is confused by his kindness towards him in the start of the scene, again this changes near the end of the script to an angrier purpose, which is questionable – to kill his father? | What is said about you? By you, to your face and behind your back? (5 quotes) | 1. “Whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, the gift of eloquence, he and no one else and character too…such men, I tell you, spread them open you will find them empty.” 2. ““Here’s Haemon, the last of your children” 3. “Father, I am yours. You have the wisdom to direct me, and I’ll follow you” 4. “So I, leader of the...
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...This action can be justified only because to govern a country he needs authority, otherwise, the people of Thebes would not obey his rules anymore, and rebel against him. Yet, Antigone shows to us that he was never a good king to them either, “they would praise me too if their lips weren’t locked in fear” (666) she says. They were frightened to speak up for themselves. Starting here on, Creon’s hubris develops, particularly when Haemon clarifies the general population doesn't concur his requests, yet this makes Creon's reactions more resolute. He states “Am I to rule this land for others – or myself?” (672), this statement implies that he is egoist and does not care about Theives at all. He is blinded by power. He is headstrong and his pride is great, he cannot recognize that he would ever be wrong. Creon can't accept it when Teiresias tells him that nature itself is rebelling against Creon's double sacrilege. The Gods of the heavens and the earth are angered by the fact that he has kept a dead man from being rightfully buried and has entombed a living girl....
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...filled with betrayal, internal and external struggles, courage, loyalty to one’s family, and contempt towards gods and law. Antigone is a young woman, engaged to Haemon, son of King Creon. Antigone, devastated and grief stricken by the death of her brother Polyneices, has a moral responsibility to honor her brother’s death with a proper burial. Despite facing death herself as punishment, Antigone chooses family honor and commitment, above her own life. Sophocles’ use of Dramatic Terminology is extraordinary, by giving explicit detail of surroundings called Exposition, arising Conflict among characters, followed with Rising Action from beginning to end. When using the dramatic term Exposition, the writer introduces material creating the setting and tone, and presents characters and factors for the readers understanding of the story. The palace’s entrance is described in detail, “a central double door, and two lateral doors, a platform extends the length of the facade, and from this platform three steps lead down into the orchestra.” The reader can almost imagine hearing the violins and cellos playing. Antigone has lead her sister Ismene to the gates of King Creon’s palace during the burial ceremony of one of her brothers. Exposition was later used when describing the Chorus Leader’s observance of King Creon carrying Haemons dead body, “Here comes the king in person carrying in his arms if Thurman 2 it’s right to speak of this, a clear reminder that this evil comes not from some...
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...Thebes. He “sought to consume utterly with fire the city of his fathers and the shrines of his father’s gods, -sought to taste of kindred blood, and to lead the remnant into slavery”. In Creon’s opinion, Polyneices is so wicked that even gods do not want to see him buried. When asked whether the gods have covered Polyneices’ body, Creon replies angrily that “was it for high reward of trusty service that they sought to hide his nakedness, who came to burn their pillared shrines and sacred treasures, to burn their land, and scatter its laws to the winds”. Creon ‘s opinions are reasonable before Teiresias gives out the correct interpretation of gods’ wills. If Antigone realized the limit of her wisdom, she would hesitate to kill herself and Haemon and Eurydice would not die either. Her self-certainty causes the whole tragedy in a sense. Not only Antigone’s action, but also her incentive to break the law is blamable. She claims that she buries her brother because of priority of divine law over human law. However, this explanation of piety motive is tenuous. She says that “never, had been a mother of children, or if a husband...
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...Hameon is King Creon’s son, but also Antigone’s cousin/fiancé. Once Haemon finds out about his father’s plans to kill his future wife, he becomes outraged and encourages him to reconsider doing such a horrible act. When Haemon sees that no words will stop the wrong that is father is about to do, he says, “And you will never see my face again,” (Scene 3, line 141) implying that Haemon is going to kill himself out of grief for the love of the ultimate loss of his fiancé. Even in seeing that he is ultimately going to lose his son, King Creon still goes through with his plans to hurt Antigone. If Creon held family to be greater than the act of authority he is using at hand, then Creon would have disregarded his law, and let Antigone go, so he can make his daughter...
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...Female Unhappiness Women have been mistreated by men throughout history. Greek civilization shows men treated their women like they were inferior. Ancient Greek women spent most of their time doing what men told them to do. In today's society, women are still taken advantage of in every aspect of life by men. These women are being paid lower wages than men, commanded to do simple tasks, and have to stay home taking care of their children. Expectations for women in today's society are to be small, weak, and submissive. It is the opposite for men because they are expected to be authoritative, muscular, and tough. If men do not have any of these qualities, they are considered weak and woman-like. Sophocles' play Antigone and the 1990 film Mr. and Mrs. Bridge both display how Antigone and India Bridge try to do good, but are victims of the male hierarchy around them. Sophocles' Antigone is a Greek drama about the daughter of Oedipus. The play begins with Antigone and her sister Ismene having a conversation outside the palace. They talk about how their brothers Polyneices and Etecleos killed each other fighting for the throne. Antigone explains that the new ruler, Creon, has given a proper burial to Eteocleos; however, Polyneices will not receive a proper burial because he was a traitor. Creon decrees that anyone who buries or mourns Polyneices will be punished to death by public stoning. Antigone ignores Ismene's warning, giving Polyneices a proper burial by sprinkling dust over...
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...He’s anger against Antigone breaking his law made him not want to listen to anybody. When he found out that Antigone buried Polyneices he locked her up in a vault. Creon changed his mind and wanted to free her but by the time that happened she killed herself. Haimon tried to give some reason why Antigone did what she did by Creon didn’t listen. Haimon went to see Antigone and found her dead. He wanted to kill Creon but failed so he killed himself. When Eurydice heard about what happened to Haemon, she killed herself. Creon caused his family to die. Haimon’s love led to his downfall. He tried to give reason to Creon and argued with his father. He tried changing Creon’s mind but it didn’t work. He threatened Creon that if Antigone dies then he will cause another death referring to himself. When Creon went to go check Antigone, he found her dead. Creon tried killing Haimon with his sword but missed so he stabbed himself with the sword. Emotion played a big role in controlling everybody’s actions. Antigone loyalty and pride brought her downfall. She broke the law and ended locked up for life. She ended up killing herself in the vault. Creon’s anger made him blind to reason. He caused three deaths and all his family killed themselves...
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...You can see in Antigone that the role of a human is very important, in this case it means so much that she is willing to risk her life to honor what the Gods would want of her in fulfilling her role in the burial of her brother. Some major themes that are evident throughout the play is the law of the Gods and man-made law, the abuse of power, and furthermore even though the play is titled Antigone, who’s story is it really? The problem arises when both of Antigone’s brothers Eteocles and Polynices kill each other battling for the throne of Thebes. Creon who is Antigones uncle inherits power and the throne of Thebes, and declares proper burial for Eteocles, but demands that Polynices remains unburied who he thought was a traitor for fighting against Thebes. Since back in ancient Greece it was the womens’ role to give a proper burial so that there is a respect paid to the dead, Creon is pretty much making it impossible for Antigone to fulfil her role. Antigone neglects to listen to the rules of Creon and buries her brother, and is eventually captured by Creon’s guards. Antigone demonstrates no remorse when facing Creon over her crime “Because it wasn’t Zeus who pronounced these things to me, nor did Justice, companion of the gods below, establish saw laws for humanity” (Sophocles 29) although she knows that she’s most likely facing death for being caught disobeying the rules of the leader she feels that she has made the right decision by honoring the Gods because she will...
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...NAME: EMMANUEL ALICE LAMBAJO COURSE: STUDIES IN DRAMA QUESTION: ATTEMPT A DRAMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE PLAY ANTIGONE BY JEAN ANOUILH Dramatic analysis is the process of identifying the elements of the structure of a dramatic work such as a play, or film. There are six elements used when analyzing a drama which includes: exposition, inciting incidence, rising action, climax, falling action and the resolution. The exposition provides the background information needed to properly understand the story, such as the problem in the beginning of the story. It introduces the characters and the basic conflict in a play. Inciting incidence is an incidence which comes after the introduction of the characters and the basic conflicts. The rising action is when the basic internal conflict is complicated being the introduction of related secondary conflicts including various obstacles that frustrate the protagonist attempt to reach his goal. Climax, also referred to as turning point marks a change for the better or the worse in the protagonist affairs. Falling action therefore, is a moment of reversal after the climax. The conflict between the protagonists unravels with the protagonist winning or losing against the antagonist. Denouement, resolution or catastrophe comprises the event between the falling action and the actual ending scene of the drama. It serves as a conclusion of the story where the conflicts are resolved. Jean Anouilh’s Antigone is an adaptation of Sophocles’...
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...Haemon tells Creon the people are unhappy with declaration to not bury Polynices. Furthermore, he explains that the people believe the law has gone outside the boundaries of power and has entered higher territory. The force of divine power is shown here because this is the start of the Creon’s persuasion back to the will of the Gods. Consequently, the conflicting forces presented by Haemon cause Creon to change his mind about Antigone’s punishment. Antigone symbolizes divine law. She is the one thing in the way of Creon’s absolute power. Instead of killing her, he changes her sentence so she would now be locked away to starve. He does this because he does no he does not want to feel the guilt of her bloodshed but still show his power. This guilt shows Creon being persuaded back to divine laws. The blind prophet Tiresias, who delivers the word of the Gods, finally persuades Creon completely by saying Creon will be punished for disrespecting...
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