The Life Of Antigone Essay, Research Paper

In Ancient Greece, new ideals surfaced as answers to life’s complicated

questions. These new beliefs were centered around the expanding field of science. Man

was focused on more than the Gods or heavenly concerns. A government that was

ruled by the people was suggested as opposed to a monarchy that had existed for

many years. Freedom of religion was encouraged to be exercised in city-states. These

new ideals, though good in intentions, often conflicted with each other creating

complex moral dilemmas.

Such was the case in Antigone a play written by Sophocles during this era of

change. In the play, Antigone and Creon battle a philosophical war dealing with the

controversy of the Greek ideals. They both based their actions on their beliefs of what

is right and wrong. The conflict arose when the ideals that backed up their actions

clashed with each other, making it contradiction between morals.

Antigone’s side of the conflict held a much more heavenly approach, as opposed

to the mundane road that Creon chose to follow. Antigone feels that Creon is

disregarding the laws of heaven through his edict. After she is captured and brought to

Creon, she tells him “I do not think your edicts strong enough to overrule the unwritten

unalterable laws of God and heaven, you being only a man.” Antigone’s staunch opinion

is one that supports the Gods and the laws of heaven. Her reasoning is set by her belief

that if someone is not given a proper burial, that person would not be accepted into

heaven. Antigone was a very religious person, and acceptance of her brother by the

Gods was very important to her. She felt that “It is against you and me he has made

this order. Yes, against me.” Creon’s order was personal to Antigone. His edict invaded

her family life as well as the Gods.

An important ideal in Ancient Greece was the belief that the government was to

have no control in matters concerning religious beliefs. In Antigone’s eyes, Creon

betrayed that ideal by not allowing her to properly bury her brother, Polynices. She

believed that the burial was a religious ceremony, and Creon did not have the power to

deny Polynices that right. Antigone’s strong beliefs eventually led her to her death by

the hand of Creon. Never, though, did she stop defending what she thought was right.

As Creon ordered her to her death, Antigone exclaimed, “I go, his prisoner, because I

honored those things in which honor truly belongs.” She is directly humiliating Creon by

calling his opinions and decisions weak and unjust. She also emphasizes “his prisoner,”

which tells us that Creon’s decision to capture Antigone was his own, and was not

backed up by the majority of the people. She feels that Creon is abusing his power as

king and dealing with her task to a personal level.

Creon’s actions are guided by the ideal that states “Man is the measure of all

things.” The chorus emphasizes this point during the play by stating that “There is

nothing beyond (man’s) power.” Creon believes that the good of man comes before the

gods. Setting the example using Polynices’ body left unburied is a symbol of Creon’s

belief. “No man who is his country’s enemy shall call himself my friend.” This quote

shows that leaving the body unburied is done to show respect for Thebes. After all,

how could the ruler of a city-state honor a man who attempted to invade and conquer

his city. From that perspective, Creon’s actions are completely just and supported by

the ideals.

Though most of Creon’s reasoning coincide with the Greek ideals, one ideal

strongly contradicts his actions. The ideal states that the population would be granted

freedom from political oppression and that freedom of religion would be carried out.

Creon defied both of these. First, Antigone was “his prisoner”, not necessarily the

publics. In fact, the general population supported Antigone, though they were too

scared to say anything. Haemon, the son of Creon, knew of this, and told Creon, “Has

she not rather earned a crown of gold?- Such is the secret talk of the town.” This

proves that Creon was exercising complete domination of political power, which is

strictly forbidden in the new ideals. Also, not allowing Antigone perform her religious

ceremony of burying her brother is interfering with religious affairs. This denies

Antigone freedom of religion, hence, contempt for this ideal.

The contradictions between the beliefs of Creon and Antigone are strong

throughout the play. Both have well-structured arguments, but neither completely

dominates the other. Antigone is motivated by her strong religious feelings while Creon

is out to make good for his city-state. The chorus’ opinion is the determining factor, as

in the end, they convince Creon to set Antigone free. Creon had to weigh each factor

carefully, and in the end, he had to decide between ideals. His mind was torn in two.

“It is hard to give way, and hard to stand and abide the coming of the curse. Both ways

are hard.” The contradiction of ideals was what led to Antigone’s, Haemon’s, and

Megareus’ death. Both sides were just, all beliefs were supported. Creon was forced to

decide the unanswerable, decipher the encoded, complete the impossible, and

determine right from wrong when there was no clear answer.