In 'Antigone', Theban King Creon disrespects the gods by overturning the time-honored burial practices. He decides that the rites and rituals of proper burial may be adhered only in regard to the loyal Theban dead. He refuses to allow the same adherence to proper burial procedure in regard to the enemy. Contrary to tradition and the interpreted will of the gods, the King requires the dead Argive enemy and their dead Theban allies to be left above ground and exposed to the elements, dogs, and birds.
Antigone's death, Polyneices' burial and Creon's overthrow are the ways in which the struggle between Antigone and Creon is resolved in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone and her uncle King Creon struggle over which authority must be obeyed. Antigone believes that the gods rule and that divinely ordained burial rights for all Thebans must be respected for all, loyal or disloyal to Thebes. In contrast, Creon believes that he rules and that rights can be enforced for Antigone's loyal brother Eteocles and denied for her disloyal brother Polyneices.The punishment for disobeying Creon's law is death. It is treasonous to disrespect a king, Creon is the Thebes' earthly ruler, and so Antigone dies. But at the same time it is offensive to disrespect the gods. A pestilence is sent and will be ended only with the righting of the wrongs. Polyneices' body therefore is honored with the below-ground burial and funeral rites to which all Thebans are guaranteed by the gods. Creon is overthrown for disrespecting that will. The struggle is over.
Arrogance and stubbornness are Antigone's and Creon's common qualities that contribute to the conflict in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone demonstrates arrogance when in thinking that she can respect the gods but disrespect King Creon, the gods' earthly representative in Thebes. In return, Creon exhibits arrogance in thinking that he can issue a royal edict that contradicts divine will and cherished Theban traditions. They both express stubbornness in refusing to budge from their respective positions.
That he contradicts divine will and insults a divine representative is the way in which Creon's responses to Teiresias show disrespect for the gods in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet advises that Theban King Creon's edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead offends the gods. He cautions that divine will guarantees to all Thebans below ground burials of the dead. Creon observes that he will persist in the enforcement of his edict no matter what the gods will. At the same time, he pulls out name calling even though Teiresias is favored by the gods in his astute predictions and skilled interpretation of ritual sacrifices.
Whom to obey is the conflict between Antigone and Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone believes that the gods rule in life and death. She chooses to obey the gods when divine and royal laws conflict. In contrast, her uncle King Creon expects his own laws to be obeyed.
Arrogance is a meaning of hubris in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, hubris describes a personality that is arrogant and proud and has an exaggerated sense of self. The description fits Theban Princess Antigone as well as King Creon. For example, Creon thinks that he can issue an edict that contradicts divine will and Theban traditions. Antigone thinks that she can respect the gods but disrespect their earthly royal representative.
Antigone's death, Polyneices' burial and Creon's overthrow are the ways in which the struggle between Antigone and Creon is resolved in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone and her uncle King Creon struggle over which authority must be obeyed. Antigone believes that the gods rule and that divinely ordained burial rights for all Thebans must be respected for all, loyal or disloyal to Thebes. In contrast, Creon believes that he rules and that rights can be enforced for Antigone's loyal brother Eteocles and denied for her disloyal brother Polyneices.The punishment for disobeying Creon's law is death. It is treasonous to disrespect a king, Creon is the Thebes' earthly ruler, and so Antigone dies. But at the same time it is offensive to disrespect the gods. A pestilence is sent and will be ended only with the righting of the wrongs. Polyneices' body therefore is honored with the below-ground burial and funeral rites to which all Thebans are guaranteed by the gods. Creon is overthrown for disrespecting that will. The struggle is over.
Arrogance and stubbornness are Antigone's and Creon's common qualities that contribute to the conflict in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone demonstrates arrogance when in thinking that she can respect the gods but disrespect King Creon, the gods' earthly representative in Thebes. In return, Creon exhibits arrogance in thinking that he can issue a royal edict that contradicts divine will and cherished Theban traditions. They both express stubbornness in refusing to budge from their respective positions.
That he contradicts divine will and insults a divine representative is the way in which Creon's responses to Teiresias show disrespect for the gods in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet advises that Theban King Creon's edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead offends the gods. He cautions that divine will guarantees to all Thebans below ground burials of the dead. Creon observes that he will persist in the enforcement of his edict no matter what the gods will. At the same time, he pulls out name calling even though Teiresias is favored by the gods in his astute predictions and skilled interpretation of ritual sacrifices.
Whom to obey is the conflict between Antigone and Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone believes that the gods rule in life and death. She chooses to obey the gods when divine and royal laws conflict. In contrast, her uncle King Creon expects his own laws to be obeyed.
Arrogance is a meaning of hubris in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, hubris describes a personality that is arrogant and proud and has an exaggerated sense of self. The description fits Theban Princess Antigone as well as King Creon. For example, Creon thinks that he can issue an edict that contradicts divine will and Theban traditions. Antigone thinks that she can respect the gods but disrespect their earthly royal representative.
Caution when dealing with power is the message of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone shows caution in respecting divine power but a complete lack regarding royal power. She actually needs to show respect for both since the gods demand courtesy and obedience to them and to their earthly relatives, the royals. Just as she disrespects King Creon, her uncle and intended father-in-law, so does Creon disrespect Antigone and the gods. In ancient Greece, it is not serious to disdain a female even if she is royal, but it is a serious offense to disdain the gods.
That it is dangerous is what Antigone believes to be important about Creon's values in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone dislikes her uncle King Creon's values. She is oriented toward the old ways of family, gods and traditions. She maintains that what Creon values is destructive to whoever is different from him and gets in his way.
Arrogant and stubborn versus generous and selfish are ways of comparing and contrasting Antigone and Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone and King Creon demonstrate arrogance in their respective interactions with royalty and with the gods. They exhibit stubbornness in their refusal to back down or seek common ground in their interactions with each other. But Antigone is generous in caring about her brother Polyneices, her family, her gods and her people. Creon thinks only of himself.
Polytheistic belief in Olympic gods is Creon's religion in the plays "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the term polytheism describes the belief in many gods. The description fits the religious beliefs that Creon is assumed to hold regarding the ancient Greek gods of Mount Olympus. Creon seems more religious in "Oedipus Rex" and less so in "Antigone."
How is Creon in conflict with Antigone
That she respects divine authority but disrespects royal authority figures is an example of Antigone's hubris in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, hubris refers to pride. Theban Princess Antigone manifests pride when she chooses to obey a divine law and disobey a royal edict. She makes no attempt to respect Creon, her uncle and her sovereign. Choosing to respect the gods does not mean that she gets to disrespect royals, who are the gods' representatives on earth.
That it is crushing is what Creon says about fate in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon appears not to worry about fate during most of the play. He even may be said to give the impression of considering it as something that happens to others or that his fate is charmed. But the Furies of fate ultimately trip up all mortals who disrespect them and the gods, as Creon discovers at great personal and professional loss.