What started the conflicts in Antigone's family?

Answer 1

The inability of her brothers Eteocles and Polyneices to get along started the immediate conflicts in Antigone's family. Their mother, Theban Queen Jocasta, killed herself rather than continue life as the wife of her own son. Their father, Theban King Oedipus, blinded himself rather than see the evidence and consequences of his albeit unknowing murderous and incestuous act. The throne of Thebes thereby passed to the King's and Queen's twin sons. Eteocles and Polyneices were supposed to rule jointly by each one ruling every other year. But Eteocles refused to give up the throne when his year ended. He banished Polyneices, who promptly launched an invasion with the help of the Argive enemy. Both brothers ended up killing each other on the battlefield. They were succeeded by their uncle, Theban King Creon, who decided to have Eteocles and loyal Thebans buried and to leave Polyneices and disloyal Thebans above ground and exposed to the weather, the dogs, and the birds. That decision began the conflict over what to do about Polyneices and an unpopular law.