Antigone

To tell them about his edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead is the reason why Creon summons the Theban elders in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon issues a law that withholds god-given below-ground burial rights from Thebans who die fighting against Thebes. He expects to enforce the edict to the letter and to punish all violators. He therefore accepts no claim of ignorance of the law and its penalties.

That he was offered as a gift and accepted as the heir apparent to the childless royal couple of Corint is the reason that Oedipus becomes Polybus' son in the play "Oedipus Rex" by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Oedipus is supposed to die by exposure on the mountains outside his hometown of Thebes. His parents, Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta, are told by the oracle that Oedipus will kill his father if allowed to grow up. A Theban servant to Jocasta and a Corinthian shepherd temporarily in the area take pity on the three-day-old infant and send him off to Corinth. The childless Corinthian monarchs, Polybus and Merope, accept Oedipus as their son and heir.

That Laius and four others in his escort party are killed by Oedipus is what happens at the crossroads in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Oedipus is traveling from Delphi to Thebes. Theban King Laius is traveling from Thebes to Delphi. They meet in the land of Phocis, where they end up in a street brawl over the right-of-way at a crossroads. Oedipus and one servant from Laius' escort are the only survivors.

Slight and young are Antigone's physical attributes in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the ancient dramatist does not describe Theban Princess Antigone. But she has to be young because she is engaged but not yet a wife or mother. She also has to be slight since she is not strong enough to give her brother Polyneices anything other than a partial burial under a layer of dust.

That he raised an army of disgruntled Thebans and invading Argives against his hometown of Thebes is the reason why Polyneices is viewed as a traitor in 'Antigone'. But the reason that he raises the army lies in the denial of his rights. He and his twin brother Eteocles are the heirs to the Theban throne. Their mother, Theban Queen Jocasta, commits suicide. Their father, Theban King Oedipus, is exiled for having killed his own father and sovereign, Theban King Laius.

With their father's disgrace, Eteocles and Polyneices become kings. But the actual arrangement is power sharing in which they alternate years of rule. At the end of his first year, Eteocles refuses to honor the arrangement. He then banishes Polyneices from the city.

Polyneices promptly goes to Argos. There, he marries into the royal house. He thereby gets Argive royal support for an invasion of Thebes. He hopes to claim his rights by force. Instead, both brothers die in the ensuing battle. And that's where the play 'Antigone' begins.

The Theban defenders is the side of the war favored by the chorus in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the chorus is made up of Theban elders. They have a more or less conservative role to play in that they tend to support the current powers. Ironically, they back Theban King Creon and Eteocles, both of whom are responsible for the civil war through their grabbing all royal powers and denying Polyneices' legitimate claim to the Theban crown and throne.

That the gods rule is the significance of the end of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the chorus ends with a comment on the foolishness of disrespecting the gods. It is a situation to be avoided at all costs when divine and royal authorities collide and divine and royal laws conflict. The gods leave no disobedience, dishonor or disrespect unpunished.

Proper rites of burial for Jocasta, a meeting with his daughters and exile instead of execution are three requests made by Oedipus to Creon in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus' wife Jocasta hangs herself upon realizing that her husband is also her son. Oedipus must step down as king for the offense of incense and the crime of killing Laius, his father and Jocasta's first husband. He asks Creon, his brother-in-law and royal successor, to give Jocasta a proper Theban-style burial, let him see his daughters/half-sisters one last time, and select exile instead of execution as the punishment for his offenses.

Additionally, Oedipus asks for his daughters' protectionby Creon against an otherwise miserable life of isolation, poverty, shunning and spinsterhood. He also asks for his meeting with his daughters not to end when Creon tries to separate father and daughters/half-siblings.

"Oedipus the King" and "Oedipus at Colonus" are the two plays that are associated with the play "Antigone."

Specifically, all three of the plays were written by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E>). Antigone was the daughter of disgraced Theban King Oedipus. The three plays tell the story of what happens to Oedipus and his children and half-siblings Antigone, Eteocles, Ismene and Polyneices.

Arrogant and stubborn versus generous and selfish are ways of comparing and contrasting Antigone and Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone and King Creon demonstrate arrogance in their respective interactions with royalty and with the gods. They exhibit stubbornness in their refusal to back down or seek common ground in their interactions with each other. But Antigone is generous in caring about her brother Polyneices, her family, her gods and her people. Creon thinks only of himself.

It is immediately after Antigone confesses that the chorus accuses her of pride in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Creon asks his niece Princess Antigone if she knows of his edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. He then asks if she knows that burying her brother Polyneices is forbidden by that edict. He gets a "yes" answer along with a criticism of his personality and his rule.

It is on page 103 or lines 943-946.

A nameless guard delivers the news about the burial 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. He knows of its unpopularity for tampering with divine will and cherished Theban traditions. He therefore posts guards who report the first attempt at burying Polyneices and then report the second along with the physical presentation of the perpetrator, Princess Antigone.

No, Haemon is not a loyal son to Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Prince Haemon starts out trying to be loyal to his father, King Creon. But Creon plans to execute Princess Antigone, Haemon's first cousin and betrothed. Haemon passionately loves Antigone and finds the execution unacceptable. He therefore expresses disloyalty by opposing his father's non-burial edict, supporting Antigone's civil disobedience and even trying to kill Creon.

It is Oedipus who kills his father and marries his mother in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, the actions actually do not take place in the above-mentioned play. Instead, they occur as back-stories during the course of "Oedipus Rex." The latter play describes the rise and fall of Antigone's father, disgraced Theban King Oedipus. The former covers what happens to Oedipus' children.