That what one does in life carries over into death is the justification that Theban King Creon gives for refusing proper burial procedures to his own nephew Polyneices. Specifically, Creon sees Polyneices as a traitor to Thebes and therefore as no longer Theban or eligible for Theban rights. It's actually a call that Creon doesn't get to make, since a Theban's rights to proper funerals are god-given.
no.
Give their brother Polynices a proper burial.
In Sophocles' play "Antigone," Creon threatens to punish anyone who disobeys his edict regarding the burial of Polynices. He declares that those who attempt to give Polynices a proper burial will face death, underscoring his commitment to state law and authority. This threat reveals Creon's rigid stance on governance and his belief in the supremacy of the law over familial loyalty. Ultimately, it sets the stage for the central conflict between individual morals and state power.
King Creon of Thebes passed a law forbidding the burial of Antigone's brother Polynices. Creon passed this law because Polynices led an army against Thebes, his native country. Polynies's brother Eteocles, however, is given a proper burial because he led Thebes in this war. Antigone wanted to bury her brother Polynices because the laws of the gods commanded it. Antigone burried her brother and confessed her deed to Creon. Creon then sentenced her to her death. He burried her alive in a cave with just enough food to survive. Antigone decided to hang herself to put herself out of her misery.
Creon decides to bury Eteocles according to custom because Eteocles defended Thebes and is seen as a hero for his role in the city's defense against his brother Polynices. By honoring Eteocles with a proper burial, Creon aims to reinforce loyalty to the state and uphold the values of honor and respect for those who protect it. In contrast, he denies Polynices a burial as punishment for his betrayal, emphasizing his stance on loyalty and the consequences of treason. This decision reflects Creon's commitment to law and order in Thebes.
no.
Give their brother Polynices a proper burial.
Antigone insists that she will bury her brother Polynices, even though it is forbidden by the king's decree. She believes it is her duty to honor her brother with a proper burial, regardless of the consequences.
In Sophocles' play "Antigone," Creon threatens to punish anyone who disobeys his edict regarding the burial of Polynices. He declares that those who attempt to give Polynices a proper burial will face death, underscoring his commitment to state law and authority. This threat reveals Creon's rigid stance on governance and his belief in the supremacy of the law over familial loyalty. Ultimately, it sets the stage for the central conflict between individual morals and state power.
King Creon of Thebes passed a law forbidding the burial of Antigone's brother Polynices. Creon passed this law because Polynices led an army against Thebes, his native country. Polynies's brother Eteocles, however, is given a proper burial because he led Thebes in this war. Antigone wanted to bury her brother Polynices because the laws of the gods commanded it. Antigone burried her brother and confessed her deed to Creon. Creon then sentenced her to her death. He burried her alive in a cave with just enough food to survive. Antigone decided to hang herself to put herself out of her misery.
Creon decides to bury Eteocles according to custom because Eteocles defended Thebes and is seen as a hero for his role in the city's defense against his brother Polynices. By honoring Eteocles with a proper burial, Creon aims to reinforce loyalty to the state and uphold the values of honor and respect for those who protect it. In contrast, he denies Polynices a burial as punishment for his betrayal, emphasizing his stance on loyalty and the consequences of treason. This decision reflects Creon's commitment to law and order in Thebes.
A Proper Burial - 2010 is rated/received certificates of: USA:M
A Proper Burial - 2010 was released on: USA: 15 June 2010 (DVD premiere)
Polyneices
That he fights against his hometown of Thebes is the reason why Polyneices' burial is forbidden in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Polyneices' body deserves a below-ground burial because all Thebans have divine guarantees of below-ground burials and proper funeral rites. But Polyneices' uncle, Theban King Creon, decides to deny these rights to Thebans fighting with Argive invaders in the recent civil war over the Theban royal succession. He calls for non-burial of the dead, which is to be expected for non-Thebans but unexpected even for disloyal Thebans.
Creon has enacted a law prohibiting the burial of Polynices, who fought against Thebes, declaring that anyone who disobeys will face severe punishment. Antigone proposes to defy this law, believing it is her moral and religious duty to honor her brother with a proper burial, regardless of the consequences. Her actions reflect her commitment to familial loyalty and divine law over man-made edicts.
Theban King Creon believes that Thebans who oppose his rule are behind the burying of Polyneices. Polyneices was Creon's nephew. But he invaded Thebes, and therefore is considered by the King to be disloyal and unworthy of god given rights to proper burial rites and rituals.