The Similarities Between Antigone And Creon

Throughout Sophocles’ Antigone, the two protagonists, Creon and Antigone, display contrasting opinions towards what they believe they should devote themselves to in life. Antigone is passionate towards her own blood and the approval of the gods, while Creon craves compliance from his subjects for his own rulings. While they both show their hamartia of stubbornness, only Creon faces reality at the end of the play, accepting the contrast between their extreme forms of loyalty. In order to emphasize the differences of loyalty in life, whether it be for one’s kin or kingdom, Sophocles provides Antigone and Creon as two foil characters. Antigone values the loyalty and connection that she has with her own blood over the rules that are placed upon

In contrast, Antigone’s brother, Polynices, has been declared a traitor against Creon’s kingdom, unearning him the right to a proper burial under Creon’s laws. Despite Antigone’s awareness of Polynices’ betrayal and her own betrayal to the kingdom, she would rather not be a traitor to her brother in her own eyes. Antigone is persistent in burying her brother, stating, “I will raise a mound for him, my dear brother” (Sophocles 63). Sophocles uses this quote as a form of dramatic irony, with the reader hearing this while Creon is completely unaware of Antigone’s intentions. When confronted by Creon, she admits that she disobeyed the laws that he had in place, telling him, “I did it. I don't deny a thing” (Sophocles 81). Antigone was never ashamed to stand up for what she believed in, especially when it came to the loyalty between herself and her endeared brother. Antigone did not find much value in laws set in place by mortals, instead, she obeyed those put in place by the gods. When she was interrogated, she told Creon that she simply would not listen to him because, “It wasn't Zeus, not in the least, who made this proclamation– not to me” (Sophocles 82). Antigone respects

Creon is greedy with that he holds, trying his best to make sure that he has full control of all of his subjects. He speaks to the leader, telling him to, “Never side with those who break my orders” (Sophocles 69). Creon craves respect, given his station, and shows that he is slightly insecure, being nervous that if one person defies his legitimacy, others will follow. Once he uncovers the uncompliant’s identity, he questions Antigone, asking her: “Aren’t you ashamed to differ so from them? So disloyal!” (Sophocles 84). Creon does not understand why his niece would willingly stand against him, isolating herself from others who obey his laws. He claims that she is disloyal, but she is only disloyal to his own rules. Creon shows that he is hurt by his niece’s betrayal, by asking, “What wounds cut deeper than a loved one turned against you?” (Sophocles 93). Sophocles uses this metaphor to show the pain that he feels that his own family deceived him. Creon also shows his vainess by expecting everyone to follow his orders. He interrogates Antigone and is insulted to find out that she would rather listen to herself and the gods when it comes to death. While conversing, he proclaims, “You say- why it's intolerable- say the gods could have the slightest concern for that corpse?” (Sophocles 73). Creon does not respect the gods and what they believe, creating his own laws that