0
The threat of experiencing misery first-hand, in his own house and with his own family, explains why Theban King Creon finally agrees to free his niece and intended daughter-in-law, Antigone, and to bury his nephew, Polyneices.
Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet tells Creon that the wrenching grief that everyone in Thebes but Creon is experiencing soon will strike him, his house and his family. Creon has only one of four children left. The other three died miserable deaths. Creon realizes that his fate may be as inglorious as his royal predecessor, Theban King Oedipus, who lost throne, home and family in one fell sweep.
Teiresias identifies the source of Thebes' current plague as wildlife eating the unburied bodies of Polyneices and his army of disgruntled Thebans and invading Argives. According to the prophet, the plague will end with the proper burial of the disloyal Theban dead. Creon is going against divine will by refusing dead Theban traitors their god-given rights. Such disrespect and arrogance is being paid for by the suffering of Creon's subjects. The price is going up, with Creon's job and the life of Haemon, his only surviving child and heir apparent, at stake.
The sobering news from Teiresias finally gets Creon's attention.
What else can I help you with?
What does Creon and the chorus leader finally agree upon in 'Antigone'?
It is Polyneices' burial and Antigone's release that Creon and the chorus leader finally agree upon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon denies to his nephew Polyneices the god-given rights of all Thebans to below ground burials. He gives the death sentence to his niece Antigone for burying her brother. But advised by the chorus leader, Creon finally gives in when he hears Teiresias' prediction that the mourning that goes around Thebes for disloyal and loyal Theban dead will come back around to the royal household.
What are the opposing forces for each conflict in 'Antigone'?
Antigone and Ismene, Antigone and Creon, Creon and Haemon, and Creon and Teiresias are the opposing forces in the conflicts in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene are on opposing sides in the conflict over whether or not to bury their brother Polyneices and whether to obey divine or human law. Antigone and King Creon also are on opposite sides in that conflict even though they both agree that Antigone will die. Creon opposes his son Haemon and then his advisor, Teiresias the blind prophet, on just about everything: burial versus non-burial, divine versus human laws, release or sentencing of Antigone.
Does Haemon say that the city agrees with Creon's actions in 'Antigone'?
No, the city does not agree with Creon's actions according to Haemon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon passes a non-burial edict that contradicts divine law, denies his perceived enemy dead belowl-ground burials, and sentences to death Princess Antigone, his niece and intended daughter-in-law, when she tries to bury her brother Polyneices. Prince Haemon, Creon's son and Antigone's groom-to-be, says that Thebans hate Creon for the edict and the non-burials and greatly admire the courage of Antigone's convictions and actions in the face of a cruel bully.
What line indicates Ismene's true feelings about Antigone in 'Antigone'?
That she is dear to her is Ismene's line that indicates her true feelings about Antigone in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene does not agree with her sister Princess Antigone's decision to break the law and bury their brother Polyneices. She makes an effort to talk Antigone out of a civil disobedience that carries the death penalty. She finally realizes that it is hopeless and asks Antigone to be careful on such a foolish, impossible errand.
Does the city agree with Creon's actions in 'Antigone'?
No, the city does not agree with Creon's actions in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon allows Theban loyalists to be buried below ground but refuses that god-given right to his perceived enemies in the recent civil war over the royal succession. By his own admission, his edict of non-burial is not popular with Thebans. The complete lack of public agreement is repeated in comments by Princess Antigone, Prince Haemon and Teiresias the blind prophet.
What does Creon and the chorus leader finally agree upon in 'Antigone'?
It is Polyneices' burial and Antigone's release that Creon and the chorus leader finally agree upon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon denies to his nephew Polyneices the god-given rights of all Thebans to below ground burials. He gives the death sentence to his niece Antigone for burying her brother. But advised by the chorus leader, Creon finally gives in when he hears Teiresias' prediction that the mourning that goes around Thebes for disloyal and loyal Theban dead will come back around to the royal household.
What are the opposing forces for each conflict in 'Antigone'?
Antigone and Ismene, Antigone and Creon, Creon and Haemon, and Creon and Teiresias are the opposing forces in the conflicts in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene are on opposing sides in the conflict over whether or not to bury their brother Polyneices and whether to obey divine or human law. Antigone and King Creon also are on opposite sides in that conflict even though they both agree that Antigone will die. Creon opposes his son Haemon and then his advisor, Teiresias the blind prophet, on just about everything: burial versus non-burial, divine versus human laws, release or sentencing of Antigone.
Does Haemon say that the city agrees with Creon's actions in 'Antigone'?
No, the city does not agree with Creon's actions according to Haemon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon passes a non-burial edict that contradicts divine law, denies his perceived enemy dead belowl-ground burials, and sentences to death Princess Antigone, his niece and intended daughter-in-law, when she tries to bury her brother Polyneices. Prince Haemon, Creon's son and Antigone's groom-to-be, says that Thebans hate Creon for the edict and the non-burials and greatly admire the courage of Antigone's convictions and actions in the face of a cruel bully.
What line indicates Ismene's true feelings about Antigone in 'Antigone'?
That she is dear to her is Ismene's line that indicates her true feelings about Antigone in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene does not agree with her sister Princess Antigone's decision to break the law and bury their brother Polyneices. She makes an effort to talk Antigone out of a civil disobedience that carries the death penalty. She finally realizes that it is hopeless and asks Antigone to be careful on such a foolish, impossible errand.
Does the city agree with Creon's actions in 'Antigone'?
No, the city does not agree with Creon's actions in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon allows Theban loyalists to be buried below ground but refuses that god-given right to his perceived enemies in the recent civil war over the royal succession. By his own admission, his edict of non-burial is not popular with Thebans. The complete lack of public agreement is repeated in comments by Princess Antigone, Prince Haemon and Teiresias the blind prophet.
Who kills each other in 'Antigone'?
Twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Eteocles and Polyneices are the joint heirs to the throne of Thebes after their father Theban King Oedipus loses the job. They agree to a power-sharing arrangement whereby they alternate years on the throne. At the end of the first year, Eteocles refuses to give up the throne and exiles Polyneices. Polyneices gathers together disgruntled Thebans and supportive Argives to invade Thebes. During the battle, the brothers kill each other in a sword fight to the death.
For what reason has Creon forbidden the act that Antigone is about to commit?
The play 'Antigone' opens with Antigone planning to commit an act that her uncle, Theban King Creon, forbids. The act is the proper burial procedure for the body of her brother Polyneices, who is among the disloyal Theban dead. The King forbids the burial, which directly contradicts god-given justice, morality, rites, rituals and traditions. The King's decision is prompted by his carrying over into death the hatreds of a lifetime. For the King indicates that once an enemy, always an enemy. To his way of thinking, obedience is the supreme good, and disobedience the ultimate evil. He therefore doesn't believe that dead enemies deserve the same treatment as the loyal dead.
Does the chorus leader agree with Creon's final statement in 'Antigone'?
Yes, the chorus agrees with Creon's final statement in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, disgraced Theban King Creon accepts blame for the deaths of his son Prince Haemon and his wife Queen Eurydice. He blames his own reckless foolishness for an upcoming miserable fate. The chorus notes that foolish challenges to the gods catch and trip mortals up when they are old and will feel their divinely ordained miserable punishment the most.
Which of Oedipus's children was mentioned in the play?
All four of Oedipus' children were mentioned in the play 'Antigone'. Oedipus and Jocasta, who was both his mother and his wife, had twin sons named Eteocles and Polyneices. The twins were named as the kings who killed each other, because they couldn't agree to alternate years of rule. Oedipus and Jocasta had two daughters named Antigone and Ismene. Ismene was a survivor, whereas Antigone was a terminal risk taker.
Does Haemon agree with his father in 'Antigone'?
No, Haemon does not agree with his father in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, father and son appear to disagree over everything despite an initial but fleeting agreement over paternal respect. That fragile base for getting along quickly shatters as Theban King Creon and Prince Haemon end up only agreeing to disagree. For example, Creon disdains the feelings and opinions of others and the worth of a woman. In contrast, Haemon paces what he thinks, says and does to the input of young and old, inexperienced and experienced, rulers and women.
Is the audience supposed to agree with Antigone's actions in 'Antigone'?
Yes, the audience is supposed to agree with Antigone's actions in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone behaves with courage, integrity and sensitivity. She demonstrates courage in breaking an unjust law whose punishment is the death penalty. She exhibits integrity in refusing to share the blame with her sister, Princess Ismene. She manifests sensitivity in defending fragile Theban traditions and vulnerable family members.
What are the names of Oedipus' sons?
Eteocles and Polyneices are the twin sons of Theban King Oedipus and Theban Queen Jocasta. They inherit the throne of Thebes after the suicide of their mother and the exile of their father. They initially agree to a power sharing arrangement whereby they alternate years of rule. But Eteocles refuses to honor the bargain, and exiles Polyneices. Polyneices ends up marrying into the Argive royal family, and invading Thebes with Argive support. Argos loses the fight, and the brothers kill each other on the battlefield outside their Theban home. And that's where 'Antigone', as the sequel to 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Oedipus at Colonus', takes up.
