In Ancient Greece, new ideals surfaced as answers to life’s complicated questions. These new beliefs were centered on 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 in city-states. These new ideals, though good in intentions, often conflicted with each other creating complex moral dilemmas. Antigone and Creon battle an idealistic war illustrating the conflict existing in 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 a contradiction between morals. Antigone’s side of the conflict held a much more heavenly approach, as opposed to the everyday road that Creon chose to follow. Antigone was born full of superiority and courage, yet leaves the world as a conquered celebrity. She respects her family regardless of what has happened in the past and always seems to be loyal towards her brothers, as well as her sister.
Antigone feels as though long-lasting by the laws of the gods, is value to follow. This theory gradually affects her actions and behavior towards Creon. Antigone chooses to sacrifice herself to give her brother honor and respect. By giving him a burial, she is setting his soul at rest so it may continue into death peacefully. Yet, she is digging her grave with her own hands. By burying Polynices, Antigone practically hands her life over to Creon, to use as he wishes, because the punishment for defying his orders is death. However, Antigone does not complain. She is proud to die for something she believes in.
The tragic flaw of Antigone leads to many lamenting events in the play. The way she poses her characteristics in such as being stubborn and raggedness portrays her flaw in the play. Antigone attempts to challenge Creon’s love for power and accepts the punishment given to her. She bows to death because she is aware that she has done a good deed and she will inhale her last breath in honor. Whether Creon thinks of her as a traitor or not, Antigone knew the gods would reserve their judgment in favor of her. She never once regrets burying her brother, which makes her character admirable.
This open threat still has no effect on Creon’s decision towards Antigone’s punishment. Though he recalls his promise to the people, it seems as if he is completey blinded by his love for power. Creon absolutely isolates himself from the rest of the world and believes himself as being right all the time despite the circumstances. He strongly believes in a powerful kingdom and feels that everyone should stay by his rules as a king. This reveals him to be a self centered noble who thinks quite highly of himself. Creon later regrets what he has done to his innocent niece.
However, this sudden change of heart came about when Teiresias explained what would happen to him and his reputation if he did not undo his flaw. All these incidents leads one to believe that Creon transforms himself into a tyrant and selfish king. He thinks his law is the most important. Creon is unwilling to put the god’s law above his own. He is unwilling to listen to the passionate prayers of his son to let Antigone live. He instead puts his laws first, and states that if he lets Antigone live after she has broken his law, he could not earn his countries obedience.
His extreme will later leads to his son’s death because his son has been corrupted by Antigone. The Chorus holds beliefs that no other person or group, with the exception of Creon, has supported. They believe that although respect is very important, following human law is more important because you must immediately face the consequences of your wrong doing after the crime has been committed. They see that Creon is a strong leader, and in knowing this, they conclude that his strength comes from his devotion to human law, and his enforcement of this.
The representation of love conquering all, is dramatized well in this play. Antigone wants to prove her love for Polyneices, therefore she buries him with honor. Yet, Creon wants to prove what a mighty ruler he is with pride, explaining the punishment given to Antigone. This is a vast difference between Antigone and Creon. Who is the moral one of them? A barbaric king or a hopeful princess? Although they both share many of the same qualities, Creon is without a doubt the tragic hero. Now the twist was presented in the play.
Creon could not win against fate and all his pride and arrogance wich then intertwined into one unhappily ever conclusion. Although, Creon’s pride and morals did not get him anywhere, it exemplifies a lesson to be learned. It shows one cannot avoid fate. What happens in life is meant to happen. In spite of everything, Antigone’s character reveals how much she would do to prove her love for someone else. Yet absolute power does corrupt enormously. Creon just did not realize this until it was too late to turn back.