Compare/Contrast: Antigone and Creon
Compare / Contrast Antigone and Creon There is always going to be some kind of conflict in a family. It may happen often, and sometimes rarely. In the century-old story Antigone there is a huge conflict. Antigones brother, Polyneices, refuses to pass on the throne. Therefore, he and his brother Etheocles go to war, and they both end up killing each other. Therefore, it resulted in Polyneices death. When he died, Creon; the ruler of Thebes, refuses to let anyone bury him.
So he will be left in public shame. Not regarding any of the laws Creon created, and ignoring what her family says, Antigone goes ahead and covers him with some dirt and “buries” him. To begin with, Antigone has gone through a hardship. She has lost her brother and her family is very mad with her, since they have also been brought into the conflict. Antigone is very strong; she does what she wants without thinking twice. She is also very sneaky. She buried her brother without anyone noticing.
The blame was even put on her timid sister, Ismene. Who was later questioned by Creon, and also was held by him until she was found innocent. But Antigone already knows her consequences, so she is ready if she is caught. Antigone also follows the Gods law. She believes that manmade law must harmonize with the Gods law. She is lead by her emotions and what her heart tells her to do. Antigone strongly believes that both of her brothers deserve burial rights, therefore she fights for it.
On the other hand, Creon differs somewhat. Creon inherited the throne after Oedipus was killed. He only honored Ethocles, and announced that no one would be allowed to bury Polyneices. As you can tell, Creon likes to go by the laws he created, not by the Gods. Creon doesn’t like to listen to others opinions about the situation. Haemon, his son, tries to convince Creon to not bury Antigone. Yet, he doesn’t even take a second to think about it. Haemon then mentions Creons ruling is tyranny, not government.
