Antigone Family Vs Authority Essay

Mateo Hu

Ms. Madson

14 February 2023 Family V Authority

In a life-or-death situation where you had to choose your family or the law, what would you do? Would you follow the rules and let your family pay the price, or rebel and face the consequences?Antigone is about a young girl rebelling against a controlling leader to give her brother a proper burial and honor him as a hero. However, along the way she runs into many problems including getting caught in the act and being given a death sentence. Sophocles values family over authority because of his emphasis on Creon's ignorance and Antigone’s civil disobedience.

Sophocles values family over authority because of his emphasis on Creon's ego and pride. Haemons is trying to defend Antigone

When explaining the possible consequences of her actions to Ismene she adds “And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him-an outrage sacred to the gods!”(86-88). Antigone decides she will honor her brother at all costs against Creon's decree. This sends a strong message to the people of Thebes and puzzles Creon, affecting every character for the better. Before being taken away to die she communicates to her dead brother “But now, Polynices, because I laid your body out as well, this, this is my reward. Nevertheless I honored you- the decent will admit it- well and wisely too”(990-995). In her last words, Antigone talks about how she had no regrets and it was all worth it in the end. Her actions were shown as noble to everyone and Sophocles depicted her as a hero. Antigone’s actions led to change and opened the eyes of many characters, this is why Sophocles values loved ones over-rules and

While giving a speech to the city Creon says “can we establish friendships, truer than blood itself Such are my standards. They make our city great. Closely akin to them I have proclaimed just now, the following decree to our people”(213-217). This may show that Creon cares for the city, however, he goes on to the extent of the decree and it seems unreasonable punishment of Polynices. He goes on to focus his power on saving his reputation instead of helping the people of Thebes and their issues. After witnessing his son kill himself Creon yells “come, let it come!-that best of fates for me that brings the final day, best fate of all Oh quickly, now- so I never have to see another sunrise”(1449-1452). In the end, Creon loses everyone and everything by following his authority over family. He becomes suicidal thinking of the repercussions of his actions, showing the importance of family over authority. Looking back at Creon's character he always had good intentions for Thebes, however, as things started to drift out of his control he acted in defense of his ego rather than his own son. Creon put authority over his family every time the decision was handed to him and look how far he’s