In Antigone, Antigone’s brothers Eteocles and Polyneices fought for control of Thebes, but killed each other. King Creon planned to give Eteocles a proper burial, but would not give the same to Polyneices, who Creon acused as a traitor. Antigone sacrifices her welfare by burying Polyneices, and later sacrifices her life to show her disgust with King Creon’s rule. Her sacrifice not only shows that people can stand up to a corrupt power, but also labels her values in her family and divine law. Although her own brothers fought to their deaths, Antigone cannot fail them. She therefore insists that “[she] will bury [her] brother.” (4) Despite Creon’s order, Antigone remains eager to give her brother a proper burial; she cannot stand to watch her
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Antigone’s actions pushed King Creon to question his order against Polyneices’ burial. In response to Creon’s rule, according to Teiresias “...the gods aroused against [Creon] / Their sure avengers; they lie in [Creon’s] path / Even now to trap [Creon] and to make [Creon] pay / Their price.” (37) It is here Creon begins to realize his mistake. As the city and the gods began to see Creon’s actions as wrong, Creon wants to turn back. Had Antigone not shown her act of opposition, Creon would have never considered the opposing side of his situation. However, Creon’s response is too late, as Antigone is dead, and her death leads to the death of Haemon, Creon’s son, and then Eurydice, Creon’s wife. Creon’s “blindness,” (45) is noticed by himself and he feels regret. It was due to Antigone’s protest that Creon learned from his own mistakes. Creon perhaps will think more of the people he controls, rather than his own personal beliefs and satisfaction. The story reveals how corruption may exist, but it cannot be questioned until someone takes a stand. Antigone also is used to show that people in society can take a stand, including women. It is with objections that society can improve, just as it is with Antigone’s objection that Creon will improve his
Antigone’s actions pushed King Creon to question his order against Polyneices’ burial. In response to Creon’s rule, according to Teiresias “...the gods aroused against [Creon] / Their sure avengers; they lie in [Creon’s] path / Even now to trap [Creon] and to make [Creon] pay / Their price.” (37) It is here Creon begins to realize his mistake. As the city and the gods began to see Creon’s actions as wrong, Creon wants to turn back. Had Antigone not shown her act of opposition, Creon would have never considered the opposing side of his situation. However, Creon’s response is too late, as Antigone is dead, and her death leads to the death of Haemon, Creon’s son, and then Eurydice, Creon’s wife. Creon’s “blindness,” (45) is noticed by himself and he feels regret. It was due to Antigone’s protest that Creon learned from his own mistakes. Creon perhaps will think more of the people he controls, rather than his own personal beliefs and satisfaction. The story reveals how corruption may exist, but it cannot be questioned until someone takes a stand. Antigone also is used to show that people in society can take a stand, including women. It is with objections that society can improve, just as it is with Antigone’s objection that Creon will improve his