Creon and Achilles
Both Creon of Sophocles' Antigone and Achilles of Homer's The Iliad end up allowing the body of their enemy a proper burial. During the time following the death of Hector, Achilles is in a position very similar to that which Creon deals with in Antigone. Both men show similar flaws, and face similar struggles. The difference between the two men is only subtly discernible until the telling moment when each man is faced with pressure to change his stance on the fate of the fallen warrior. Each man's initial reaction is quite telling of his character, and the motives behind each man's decision (although the motives are debatable) also help to expose his true nature. In the end, there seems to be a quality within each man which lies above the flaws, failures or triumphs. By suggesting such a quality, Sophocles and Homer glorify or debase characters such as Creon and Achilles. Rage, anger and revenge are exhibited by both Achilles and Creon. Achilles shows his rage in Book I of The Iliad when he speaks out against Agamemnon and refuses to fight, as well as in Book XXII when he avenges the death of Patroclus by the slaughter of Hector. Book XXIV, however, is the book in which Achilles situation most closely parallels that o
f Priam. To most objectively compare their characters, it is important that the situations we see them responding to are as similar as possible. In Antigone, the battle is over and all that remains are the remains of those fallen in battle. We have very little knowledge of how Creon behaved during the battle, and therefore should not overemphasize the detailed account of Achilles actions during battle that is supplied in earlier books of The Iliad. Creon initially exposes his rage and vengeance with the decree that Eteocles will be buried and Polynices will not. Creon says this of Polynices "No, he must be left unburied, his corpse/ carrion for birds and dogs to tear/ an obscenity for the citizens to behold!" (231). A similar rage can be found in Achilles treatment of the body of Hector. Not only did Achilles deny the body a proper burial, but he dragged the dead body around tied to his chariot (XXIV-18). Later examples of rage are more plentiful in Creon's case, as he rages against those who question the wisdom of his decision to let Polynices rot. Creon's strongest rage is his rage against Antigone for attempting to bury Polynices. "--she'll never escape/ she and her blood sister, the most barbaric death (545). This ardent anger is left unparalleled by the actions of Achilles. Achilles shows only one additional spark of anger during the his conversation with Priam. Impatient for the return of his son's body Priam says to Achilles "Give him back to me, now, no more delay--/ I must see my son with my own eyes" (XXIV-650). To this Achilles responds angrily "No more, old man, don't tempt my wrath, not now!" (XXIV-656), "So don't anger me now. Don't stir my raging heart still more./ Or under my own roof I may not spare your life, old man--" (XXIV-667). Although the initial threats are similar in nature, the actions that each man takes after making the threat is a truer measure of the rage within each man. Creon sends Antigone to her tomb, while Achilles regains his composure allowing for Priam's safe return to Troy and peaceful burial of his son Hector. Creon's rage is more powerful than Achilles' in this situation. The importance of the Gods and the way mortals regard them in Greek literature can never be underestimated. Antigone and The Iliad are obviously not exceptions. It is a fair to assume that both Achilles and Cre
Some common words found in the essay are:
Achilles Creon, Hector Achilles, XXIV-168 Tiresias', Finally Creon, XXIV-650 Achilles, Haemon Protect, Book XXIV, XXIV-1122 Achilles, Achilles Poor, Obviously Achilles', achilles creon, rage vengeance, creon achilles rage, hector's body, achilles feels, achilles responds, achilles rage, achilles additional, pity priam, feels pity, achilles feels pity, feels pity priam, hector achilles,
Approximate Word count = 1591
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
