Antigone
 
 by Sophocles
 
In Ancient Greece, new ideals surfaced as answers to life's
complicated questions. These new beliefs were centered
around 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 to be exercised in city-states.
These new ideals, though good in intentions, often
conflicted with each other creating complex moral dilemmas.
 
Such was the case in Antigone, a play written by Sophocles
during this era of change. In the play, Antigone and Creon
battle a philosophical war dealing with the controversy of
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 contradiction between morals.
 
Antigone's side of the conflict held a much more heavenly
approach, as opposed to the mundane road that Creon chose
to follow. Antigone feels that Creon is disregarding the
laws of heaven through his edict. After she is captured and
brought to Creon, she tells him "I do not think your edicts
strong enough to overrule the unwritten unalterable laws of
God and heaven, you being only a man." Antigone's staunch
opinion is one that supports the Gods and the laws of
heaven. Her reasoning is set by her belief that if someone
is not given a proper burial, that person would not be
accepted into heaven. Antigone was a very religious person,
and acceptance of her brother by the Gods was very
important to her. She felt that "It is against you and me
he has made this order. Yes, against me." Creon's order was
personal to Antigone. His edict invaded her family life as
well as the Gods'.
 
An important ideal in Ancient Greece was the belief that
the government was to have no control in matters concerning
religious beliefs. In Antigone's eyes, Creon betrayed that
ideal by not allowing her to properly bury her brother,
Polynices. She believed that the burial was a religious
ceremony, and Creon did not have the power to deny
Polynices that right. Antigone's strong beliefs eventually
led her to her death by the hand of Creon. Never, though,
did she stop defending what she thought was right. As Creon
ordered her to her death, Antigone exclaimed, "I go, his
prisoner, because I honoured those things in which honour
truly belongs." She is directly humiliating Creon by
calling his opinions and decisions weak and unjust. She
also emphasizes "his prisoner," which tells us that Creon's
decision to capture Antigone was his own, and was not
backed up by the majority of the people. She feels that
Creon is abusing his power as king and dealing with her
task on a personal level.
 
Creon's actions are guided by the ideal that states, "Man
is the measure of all things." The chorus emphasizes this
point during the play by stating that "There is nothing
beyond (man's) power." Creon believes that the good of man
comes before the gods. The decree stating that Polynices'
body must be left unburied, is a symbol of Creon's belief.
"No man who is his country's enemy shall call himself my
friend." This quote shows that leaving the body unburied is
done to show respect for Thebes. After all, how could the
ruler of a city-state honor a man who attempted to invade
and conquer his city. From that perspective, Creon's
actions are completely just and supported by the Greek
ideals.
 
There is one ideal, however, that is ignored by Creon. This
ideal states that the population would be granted freedom
from political oppression and that freedom of religion
would be carried out. Creon defied both of these. First,
Antigone was "his prisoner", not necessarily the publics'.
In fact, the general population supported Antigone, though
they were too scared to say anything. Haemon, the son of
Creon, knew of this, and told Creon, "Has she not rather
earned a crown of gold?- Such is the secret talk of the
town." This proves that Creon was exercising complete
domination of political power, which is strictly forbidden
in the new ideals. Also, not allowing Antigone to perform
her religious ceremony of burying her brother, is
interfering with religious affairs. This denies Antigone
freedom of religion, hence, contempt for this ideal.
 
The contradictions between the beliefs of Creon and
Antigone are strong throughout the play. Both have
well-structured arguments, but neither completely dominates
the other. Antigone is motivated by her strong religious
feelings while Creon is interested in his city-state. The
chorus' opinion is the determining factor, as in the end,
they convince Creon to set Antigone free. Creon had to
weigh each factor carefully, and in the end, he had to
decide between ideals. His mind was torn in two. "It is
hard to give way, and hard to stand and abide the coming of
the curse. Both ways are hard." The contradiction of ideals
was what led to Antigone's, death. Both sides were just,
all beliefs were supported. Creon was forced to decide the
unanswerable, decipher the encoded, complete the
impossible, and determine right from wrong when there was
no clear answer.