What are the respective moments of discovery for Creon and Antigone in 'Antigone'?

Answer 1

A moment of discovery is a realization of truth. That moment takes place in regard to oneself and in regard to the opinions that others hold. For Antigone, that moment regarding the opinions of others takes place when the people of Thebes learn of her arrest for burying her dead brother Polyneices. That's the one and main truth that Thebans discover about her, and they find her obedience to god given laws and respect for the Theban dead admirable.

That moment in regard to herself takes place three times for Antigone. The first moment is at the play's beginning when she says that she knows what's right and she'll do it regardless of what her sister Ismene thinks. The second moment is at the play's middle when she tells Ismene and her uncle, Theban King Creon, of her lifelong sense of obligation to those of her family who await her in the realm of the dead. The third moment is towards the play's end when she tells the chorus that her responsibility to her dead brother's body is overriding in the absence of the joys of husband and children.

For Creon, that moment regarding the opinions of others is finalized at the end of the play, with his forced exile and the suicides of his wife and son. In terms of his family, neither his son Haemon nor his wife, Theban Queen Eurydice, want to continue living with him and his laws so lacking in compassion for his subjects and in respect for the gods. In terms of his people, no Theban wants Creon to continue on a job that he so botches.

That moment in regard to himself takes place during Creon's meeting with the blind prophet Teiresias. Teiresias warns the King of the doom that awaits the royal family as a result of the tragic suffering of Thebans under a law that contradicts divine will. It's at that point that Creon realizes the error of his ways.