Antigone: Oedipus and Creon Essay

Submitted By Ramiro-Jr.
Words: 728
Pages: 3
Open Document
Ramiro Zetina
March 27, 2015
Professor Rocco
Philosophy
Antigone
1. The main conflict in the story of Antigone is whether or not Polyneices should receive a proper burial. Antigone argues with her sister Ismene that they should go against Creon’s orders and give their brother a proper burial, Ismene refuses and does not help Antigone. When Creon finds out that Antigone buried her brother another conflict arises in which Antigone says that the law of the gods is superior to Creon’s law. Creon and his son Haemon then come into a conflict of their own. Creon believes that his decision alone should determine how the city is run while his son believes that the word of the people of Thebes should be taken into consideration. Tyresius and Creon have a conversation in which Tyresius tells creon that he was wrong in his decision to not bury Polyneices properly.
2. In every conflict it has been the word of Creon against everybody else. Ismene was right when she said that the kings orders should be followed but Antigone was right in saying that there are more important things that the law of a man. In Creon and Antigone’s argument Creon was wrong in sentencing Antigone to death. Antigone was right in telling Creon that she would rather serve the dead because she will spend eternity with them. Haemon was right when he said that a son should value the word of his father, Tyresius was also right with his statement that dead bodies should always be given a proper burial.
3. Antigone is a lot like Socrates. She values the laws of the gods as opposed to the laws of man. She is willing to break the rules of Creon to do what she knows is right without a second thought. Creon on the other hand, makes his own rules and makes others follow them. He does not accept anybody breaking his rules; this is proven when he sentences Antigone to death. Creon is more hesitant in doing what he knows is right than Antigone. He ponders whether to release Antigone and allow the burial of her brother for some time as opposed to Antigone who rushes to bury Polyneices in the beginning of the story.
4. I would like to have Antigone as a sister. She shows great respect for her family. She is even willing to risk her own life to make sure that her family member is honored after his death. This is a loyal thing to do for a family member. I would like a family member like Antigone as opposed to one who would listen to the king and allow me to eaten by birds after my death.
5. In the beginning the Chorus seems to favor Creon and his decision to not allow an honorable burial for Polyneices. This drastically changes after the talk with Tyresius. The Chorus transforms from a
Show More

Related Documents: Antigone: Oedipus and Creon Essay

Oedipus Rex And Antigone Critical Lens Essay

Knowing the future can destroy a character’s life. In Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles, Laios, Oedipus, and Creon try to break free from their known destinies because they are too proud, and this leads to their overall downfall. In both plays, the characters hear prophecies that they instantly deny. By trying to alter the inevitable, they cause more suffering for themselves and the people around them. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Iocaste, Oedipus’ wife, describes how Laios received a prediction…

Words 585 - Pages 3

Creon's Role In Oedipus

Throughout the plays Antigone and Oedipus The King we see the role of the chorus play a major part. The main characters constantly have conversations with the chorus, and the chorus provides advice, asks questions, serve as a jury, and take many other roles in the plays. The chorus in the Antigone is much more judgemental of Creon than the chorus in Oedipus The King, because we see Creon doing what he wants over seeking advice from people, yet Oedipus listens to his people. In Oedipus The King, the chorus…

Words 1740 - Pages 7

There Is A Curse On The House Of Oedipus

house of Oedipus. Because of the many terrible things that happen to the members of Oedipus's family, a reader might be led to believe that there is such a curse. However, if that person examines the stories of Oedipus Rex and Antigone more closely, he or she will find that the reason so many tragedies happened to Oedipus's family is not because of some curse, but rather because of one common thread. Each person in the line of Oedipus tries to defy authority in one way or another. Oedipus and Jocasta…

Words 913 - Pages 4

Suicide In Sophocles Antigone

In Sophocles’ tragedies Oedipus Rex and Antigone, suicide is eminent in the story when a main character committed suicide it cause other character’s to do the same thing. From Oedipus’s wife/mother, Jocasta hanging herself when Oedipus finds out that he married his own mother and murdered his own father causing him to stab his eyes out. The deaths of Eteocles and Polyneices unintentionally causing Iseme to refuse to help Antigone bury Polneices, Antigone to commit suicide, causing her fiancé Haemon…

Words 942 - Pages 4

Oedipus And Antigone Analysis

Two of these seven plays are Oedipus the King and Antigone, which both have very similar themes. Oedipus the King takes place in a city called Thebes where a plague occurs. The king of Thebes, Oedipus, is trying to save his city, trying to figure out what is causing these tragic events, but he is blind to the fact that he is the problem. In the play Antigone, Creon, the new king, has a tragic flaw very similar to Oedipus’s, which is arrogance. Oedipus’s daughter Antigone wants to bury her brother Polyneices…

Words 1092 - Pages 5

Essay on Oedipus Versus Creon

Oedipus Versus Creon At first glance, Oedipus and Creon are two very different people. But as time progresses their personalities and even their fates grow more and more similar. In Sophocles's play "Oedipus the King", Oedipus and Creon are two completely opposite people. Oedipus is brash and thoughtless, whilst Creon is wise and prudent. In "Oedipus the King", Oedipus effectively portrays the idea of the classic "flawed hero". He becomes arrogant and brash. He accuses Creon and Tiresias of…

Words 1166 - Pages 5

Oedipus Vs Creon Research Paper

Oedipus and Creon are two very similar characters. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a very angry man. His temper and Determination are ultimately his downfall. Creon in Antigone is a powerful man. He is the King but his pride of being the leader is what led to his downfall. If these two men would have just listened to what others were saying their stories would not have ended so tragically. Oedipus has a temper and his very determined throughout this play. He is determined to find the kill of King…

Words 757 - Pages 4

Free Will In Antigone

Oedipus killed his own father, the king of Thebes, without knowing it was actually his father and then married his mother, Iocaste. Together they had four children; including a girl named Antigone-- from which the play gets it's namesake-- who is the heroine of the play discussed in this essay. When Oedipus discovered who he was and what he had done he left the kingdom and cut out his own eyes. Iocaste’s cousin, Creon, took over as King of Thebes. Creon manipulated Oedipus’ two sons, Eteocles and…

Words 661 - Pages 3

How Does Creon Change In Antigone

Antigone, written by Sophocles, shows Creon as he transitions from the honest and rational brother of Jacosta to a prideful stubborn king. These changes in his personality and behavior are caused by his newfound power and contribute directly to his tragic downfall. His failures as king and as a person resemble those of Oedipus. His fatal flaw resembles that of Oedipus as well. However, unlike Oedipus, his undoing is influenced completely by behavior and choice than it is by fate. The main cause…

Words 297 - Pages 2

Antigone Essay

The Oedipus myth was well known even in Sophocles’ day, so his audience already knew what would happen at the end of Antigone. The contrast between what the audience knows and what the characters know sets up the tension, the dramatic irony. However, Sophocles uses dramatic license and adds events that are not found in any previous account of the myth, including the quarrels between Antigone and Ismene, Antigone’s two attempts to bury Polynices, Antigone’s betrothal to Haemon, the entombment of Antigone…

Words 575 - Pages 3