The playwright Sophocles is known for his tragic Oedipus cycle. Through Antigone in particular we learn of how his views on religion affected his writings. All of the characters represent part of his beliefs.
The play Antigone by Sophocles is a play like no other. Its central theme is a practical problem of conduct involving the laws of the gods and those of the humans. Antigone represents the laws of the gods while Creon represents those of the humans. Both characters are very stubborn, neither of them willing to back down or compromise. Both sides are committed to their own reasoning and disinclined to listen to other points of view. Because of the hubris, or hurtful, over bearing pride, of each of the characters, destruction descends upon them. Antigones destruction comes from her being to stubborn to back down, but Creons downfall comes from attempting to be just and right by enforcing the law. Since Creon acted as he thought right and just, then suffered tragedy because of an error he made, he displays the image of a tragic hero.
Antigone is the law of the gods in her beliefs. She also holds her family above the laws of man. She finds the thought of not burying her brother Polynices unacceptable and vows to do so even if it means a death sentence for her. Even Ismene, her sister, doesnt understand her thoughts on the matter. Isemene: What? You would bury him when a law forbids the city.
Antigone: He is my brother deny it as you will your brother too. No one will ever convict me as a traitor. (Antigone, Bedford Introduction to Literature, 1471). Antigones refusal to accept Creons ruling on the matter is an early example of civil disobedience.
Antigone does proceed to bury her brother and earns herself the wrath of Creon, who is representative of the laws of man. The Chorus of the play accompanies Creon. The chorus represents the Elders of Thebes. The elders pledge their support to him in the edict on Polynices body. Soon a Sentry arrives and tells them all the body has been buried, much to the displeasure of Creon. He dispatches the sentry to find the culprit and he returns with Antigone. A furious Creon questions Antigone and finds her defiant but she denies nothing. Creon: You with your eyes fixed upon the ground speak up. Do you deny you did this, yes or no?
Antigone: I did it. I dont deny a thing. (Antigone, Bedford Introduction to Literature, 1481). Creon is dumbfounded by her lack of denial and Antigone is strong in her conviction that it was the will of Zeus to bury Polynices.
Knowing that having Antigone stoned to death, as the law dictated, would cause him problems Creon sentences her to die in a cave of starvation. Thus showing Sophocles belief that mans law was liquid and malleable where the law of the gods was firm and unyielding.
Creons own son Haemon, who is betrothed to Antigone, initially supports his father though he begs for Antigones life. He ends up leaving his fathers side vowing never to see him again. This further illustrates the belief that Sophocles had that mans law is malleable.
Enter Tireseus the blind prophet and figurative messenger of the gods and their law. He tells Creon he made a mistake and that he will be punished. Creon accuses him of corruption. The ensuing battle of words horrifies the chorus of elders and they beg Creon to take his advice. This further illustrates that the laws of man are fluid and the laws of the gods are solid
Creons strict adherences to the laws of man end up costing him his wife and son. Even the chorus realizes that the laws of man have caused tragedy and even Creon relents when he learns of Haemons fate and shortly thereafter the fate of his wife. Leader of Chorus: Too, late, too late, you see what justice means.
Creon: Oh Ive learned through blood and tears! Then, it was then, when the god came down and struck me a great weight shattering, driving me down that wild savage path, ruining, trampling down my joy. Oh the agony the heartbreaking agonies if our lives.
Enter the messenger from the palace.
Messenger: Master, what a hoard of grief you have, and youll have more the grief that lies in your hand youve brought yourself the rest in the house you will see all to soon. (Antigone, Bedford Introduction to Literature, 1503).
In the end we learn that Sophocles sees that defying the law of the gods is far worse than defying the laws of man. His strict adherence to his own unbendable belief in mans law cost him his wife, son, and the prosperity of his kingdom. He finally sees that mans laws pale in comparison to the laws of the gods.
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