To introduce the public to his recent edict is the reason why Creon speaks to the chorus in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Creon arranges a meeting with the chorus of Theban elders. He begins by letting them know that he wants no ignorance or misunderstanding of what the edict demands or what the punishment is. The edict denies to the disloyal Theban dead their god-given rights to below ground burials.
The chorus comments on the actions of the main characters in the play 'Antigone'. Most of their comments deal with the actions of Theban King Creon. But the chorus also comments on the single-focused passionate fury of Antigone.
Bury Polyneices and release Antigone is what the chorus thinks that Creon should do in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus cannot interact directly with any of the onstage characters. But its leader can do so. The chorus leader in fact asks Theban King Creon to bury the exposed body of Polyneices and to free Princess Antigone from her walled up cave.
It is Creon that the chorus supports in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus draws its members from the most accomplished, respected and senior of Theban citizens. It therefore has a tendency to support the reigning king. The chorus indeed refrains from criticizing Theban King Creon despite his violation of divine will and Theban traditions. At the same time, it tends to be highly critical of Princess Antigone's personality.
The chorus leader convinces Creon to free Antigone in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon receives the warning from Teiresias the blind prophet that the royal household will suffer if Creon does not bury Polyneices and free Antigone. Creon keeps up the insults and threats all the way until Teiresias leaves. But he then asks and acts upon the chorus leader's advice.
The chorus does not make fun ofAntigone. It warns her about the danger of going against Creon.
To bury Polyneices and free Antigone is the chorus' advice by way of the leader in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus does not interact directly with the other characters. The their leader does speak for the chorus members. The chorus leader hears what Teiresias the blind prophet says about ending the mourning, pestilential environment and polluted wrath in Thebes. He states that Theban King Creon needs to do what Teiresias says is the way to end the above mentioned problems: Give a proper burial to Polyneices' body and release Princess Antigone from her live burial in a remote cave.
That he rules as he must and then that he needs to rethink his position are ways in which the chorus reacts to Creon's new edict in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon informs the chorus about his edict against burial of the disloyal Theban dead. The chorus observes that Creon must rule as he must and makes no comment on the law violating divine will and Theban traditions. But just before the end of the play, the chorus says that Creon must violate his own law by burying Polyneices and setting Antigone free.
To support his edict is what Creon commands the chorus leader in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon announces his edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. The leader of the chorus of Theban elders comments that Creon may do as he wishes as king of Thebes. Creon then in essence directs the leader to make sure that the edict is defended, protected and supported.
The chorus leader is not the person who fears telling Creon about Polyneices' burial in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, it is the Sentry and his colleagues who fear informing Theban King Creon of the illegal burial of Polyneices. The guards do not know who the violator is and are afraid that they will be blamed. They draw lots, and it is the Sentry's misfortune to speak of two violations of Creon's non-burial edict regarding the disloyal dead.
The chorus questioning the same sentence forIsmene is what happens when Creon sentences Antigone to death in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus believe Theban Princess Antigone guilty of willfully breaking her uncle King Creon's law of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. The members do not appear to have a problem with the death penalty that Creon enforces. But they object to punishing Antigone's sister, Princess Ismene, whom they consider completely uninvolved from beginning to end with Polyneices' unlawful burial.
A change from criticizing the other person to expressing concern over the outcome is the change in the chorus during Creon's scene with Haemon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus members blame Theban Princess Antigone in her disastrous interactions with her uncle, King Creon. The focus on her perceived faults without doing the same in terms of Creon and his non-burial edict. But the chorus moves to warn of the outcome when Prince Haemon defends Antigone and then leaves upset. In essence, they suggest that Creon may not be in control and that the situation may be getting out of hand in the royal palace and throughout Thebes.
Bury Polyneices and free Antigone is what Creon decides after hearing the chorus' objections in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon issues an edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead and enforces the death penalty for its violation. His family and his advisor make efforts to get him to withdraw the edict. But the chorus leader alone succeeds in convincing Creon to annul the edict by burying his nephew Polyneices' body and freeing his niece Princess Antigone for violating that edict.