Ms. Peifer
10 IB Hour 5
26 November, 2008
Creon is Guilty
There were three deaths in Antigone, and all of the individuals were closely related to Creon. Creon's wife Eurydice, his son Haimon, and his niece Antigone, all committed suicide on the same day. It is believed that these suicides were due to Creon's rash actions. He sentenced Antigone to death, causing a chain reaction. Antigone then ended her own life. Haimon, to whom she was to be married, decided he could not live without Antigone, and his death followed shortly after. Eurydice, after learning this information, also committed suicide and blamed her husband for their son's death. Creon is guilty and should suffer the consequences. These events were avoidable.
The crime Antigone was being punished for was trivial. She only wanted to lay her brother's body to rest peacefully. Creon did not approve and forbade it. Knowing family was important and wanting to honor her brother, Antigone disobeyed with good reason. This crime was not deserving of a death sentence. Antigone told Creon this, "But if I’d allowed my own mother’s dead son to just lie there, an unburied corpse, then I’d feel distress. What going on here does not hurt me at all. If you think what I’m doing now is stupid, perhaps I’m being charged with foolishness by someone who’s a fool." (Sophocles 527-533). Antigone spoke the truth, Creon was foolish in his decision. By the time he realized this, it was too late.
When Haimon discovers Creon's plans for Antigone, he went to speak with his father. They got into an argument while Haimon tried to defend his bride. Haimon saw Creon wasn't going to back down because of his hard-headedness, and threatened Creon with his own suicide. "Then she’ll die—and in her death kill someone else." (Sophocles 859). With this, Haimon implied he would end his own life should Antigone die. The thought of his son's death should have changed Creon's mind. Creon's actions caused enough distress to then make his wife kill herself due to Haimon's unfortunate death.
Creon had plenty of warning to change his mind. Teirisias, a blind prophet, warned Creon of the misfortune. "Men who put their stubbornness on show invite accusations of stupidity. Make concessions to the dead—don’t ever stab a man who’s just been killed. What’s the glory in killing a dead person one more time? I’ve been concerned for you. It’s good advice. Learning can be pleasant when a man speaks well, especially when he seeks your benefit." (Sophocles 1144-1151). Creon should have yielded to this advice, but his selfishness and stubbornness prevented him from doing so.
Creon is guilty and deserves punishment for his thoughtless actions. When learning of all three deaths, even he admits to fault. "Alas for me . . . the guilt for all of this is mine—it can never be removed from me or passed to any other mortal man. I, and I alone . . . I murdered you . . . I speak the truth. Servants—hurry and lead me off, get me away from here, for now what I am in life is nothing." (Sophocles 1461-1469). Creon also declares this, again confessing to murder: "Then take this foolish man away from here. I killed you, my son, without intending to, and you, as well, my wife. How useless I am now. I don’t know where to look or find support. Everything I touch goes wrong, and on my head fate climbs up with its overwhelming load." (Sophocles 1485-1490). Creon is guilty, for even he believes so.
Works Cited
Sophocles. “Antigone.” Sophocles Antigone. Trans. Ian Johnston. 9 Aug. 2008. Vancouver
Island University Malaspira. November 26,2008.
1 comment:
THis is a long post! Ha i like it though
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