After hearing Terisias’s prophecy Creon decided Antigone should be freed. “Alas—it’s difficult. But I’ll give up. I’ll not do what I’d set my heart upon. It’s not right to fight against necessity” (Sophocles line 1236-1238). Since Creon did not act in time, Antigone killed herself.
This was the first of many deaths. “Chorus Leader: [about Haemon] At his father’s hand? Or did he kill himself? Messenger: By his own hand––angry at his father for the murder” (line 1309-1310). Haemon’s suicide was a thoughtless response to Antigone’s death. When Eurydice also committed suicide Creon cries, “Alas for me . . . the guilt for all of this is mine––it can never be removed from me or passed to any other mortal man. I murdered you [Eurydice]. . . I speak the truth. Hurry and lead me off, get me away from here, for now what I am in life is nothing” (line 1463-1469).
Creon's foolishness led these things to happen to his family. By the end, he had nothing to live for. “Messenger: Creon was once a man we all looked up to. He saved the state, from its enemies. He took control and reigned as its sole king—and prospered with the birth of noble children. Now all is gone. For when a man has lost what gives him pleasure, I don’t include him among the living—he’s a breathing corpse” (line 1452-1459)
Creon, being guilty of so many deaths, felt he was better off dead. “I’ve learned it in my pain...the wretched agony of human life” (line 1417-1423).
Source: Sophocles, Antigone (e-text)
Great paper! You have found very strong evidence to prove that Creon was guilty.
ReplyDeleteCreon may have been foolish, but no one else was more intelligent. Antigone worked really hard to earn her execution. Haemon did not question the treatment of Polyneices' corpse until his beloved Antigone got in trouble because of it, and Teiresias did not open his mouth until disaster was well under way. The Chorus also showed no disapproval to the treatment of Polyneices or the execution of Antigone. We never learn whether the Thebans who allegedly support Antigone exist anywhere outside Haemon's wishful thinking. Haemon dies because he has become, as his father says, slave to a woman who did not love him. Eurydice dies because she has no idea of duty. She blames her husband for the death not only of Haemon but also of their other son who died for the sake of his homeland.
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