Antigone

A detailed Summary of Antigone

The Character Creon in Sophocles' Antigone

Throughout Sophocles' tragedy Antigone, Creon misperceives his role and even the nature of his world and thus suffers tragic consequences. In fact, the perpetuation and eventual elimination of this illusion reveals the underlying theme of the play that humans must operate under certain restrictions and if those limitations are obliterated as a result of one's great pride, the gods will punish that mortal. While Creon's decree may initially be regarded as an attempt to restore civil order and establish authority, that law does not coincide with divine law. As Creon continually refuses to retract his decree, he reveals that he irrationally believes his civil law need not be subordinate to the laws of the gods even though divine law must always be obeyed. Moreover, Creon incorrectly deems himself to be supreme and in control of everything, even others' mortality. Creon's proud nature causes him to overstep his limited power as he issues civil laws. However, no human, even if the King of Thebes, is all-powerful or able to supercede the laws of the gods. Thus, Creon displaced divine law as he deprived Polyneices of a suitable and traditional burial and as he sentenced Antigone to an ea

A man like that, when you know him, turns out empty (1107).

After Teiresias' warning, Creon's illusion of his own power and the nature of his world is destroyed and he is left to face the reality of his irrational actions and their catastrophic consequences as he confesses, "Oh it is hard to give in! but it is worse / to risk everything for stubborn pride" (1116) and then continues, "My mind misgives- / The laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them / To the last day of his life!" (1116). Now at the reversal stage of tragedy, Creon realizes his perceptions of his own power and his own reality were incorrect. While Creon has indeed learned his lesson, according to tragic time his realization has come to late and he must suffer.

Antigone's vengeful words forshadow what is to come because Creon indeed is the guilty one. Since the gods punish those individuals who have the illusion that their own power is supreme and even after explicit warnings from others fail to realize the actual control of the gods over mortals' lives, Creon will suffer a punishment far more painful

Even now that Creon realizes the gods, not himself, are sovereign and in control of his and all human beings' fates, he must endure tragic consequences so the audience will learn that excessive pride and defiance of divine law does not go unpunished. Creon's catastrophe only further exemplifies the power of the gods over mortals' lives. Immediately following Creon's reversal, the Chorus recites a "Paen", which is a hymn petitioning to the god of healing. At this point in time the "Paen" is extremely necessary since Creon left the bodies of Polyneices and his army to rot bringing plague upon the city. The mistakes of one man, Creon, cause the whole city to be victimized. Ironically, initially Creon issued this decree to restore civic order and instead it only caused greater catastrophe. In creating this massive plague, the gods are displaying their control over human life and their intolerance of those who defy divine law. Furthermore, while Creon makes an attempt to rectify his actions by burying Polyneices and releasing Antigone from her death vault, his efforts will, however, not aid his situation because in tragedy the tragic hero must suffer to teach the audience a lesson. The great king of the first two scenes is no more, all his power and pleasure is gone leaving even the messenger, who is of rather low social status, to state: "Let him live like a king in a great house: / If his pleasure is gone, I would not give / So much as the shadow of smoke for all he owns" (1118). The Messenger would not give anything to be left in Creon's position because he realizes the extent of suffering one must incur as a result of defying divine law. Creon's world crumbles quickly, indeed taking away all the joy in his life as first, " . . . Antigone lay on her couch of stone . . .she had made a noose of her fine linen veil / And hanged herself" (1119). Next, "Haimon is dead; and the hand that killed him / Is his own hand" (1118) and as if that suffering is not great enough, "The Queen is dead" (1121). Creon must loose the three most important individuals in his life so he bears the guilt of knowing if he had only acted humbly and rationally they may still be alive at the conclusion of the play. Creon must endure these tragic consequences so that he and the audience not only recognize the errs of his ways but also understand that a human being must never be so excessively proud as to believe that he, himself, is more powerful than the omnipotent gods.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2872
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Religion