Value Of Family In Sophocles 'Antigone'

Ben Romanowsky

Mr. Raisner

AS English II 1st Period

9 February 2023 Family First

Individuals are often plagued with the arduous decision of whether they should submit to laws or disobey them based on their morals and goals. In Sophocles’ Antigone, characters face the trouble of choosing if they should obey authority over staying true to their family. Sophocles demonstrates that he values family through the choices that Antigone, Creon, Ismene, and Haemon make throughout the play. Sophocles uses Creon’s edict, which implies that because Polyneices is a traitor, he shall not be buried, to show where Antigone’s loyalty lies. Antigone believes that the gods’ rules are more significant than any human laws regarding burying

It wasn’t until the termination of the play that Creon had this change of heart. Initially, he submitted to his authority and sentenced Antigone to death for burying Polyneices against his commands. He then sends Antigone to a cave. When a blind prophet foretells that the gods would punish him for how he treated Polyneices and Antigone, he second-guesses himself and sends meant to free her but discovers that she has passed away: “My stubborn, deadly—Look at us, the killer, the killed, father and son, the same blood—the misery! My plans, my mad fanatic heart, my son cut off so young!” (1395-1398). In contrast to Antigone, Creon shows remorse for his actions. Now that his loved ones, including his wife, son, and niece are gone forever, he begins to reconsider if his actions were the best for Thebes. It is evident that he is guilty regarding the demise of his loved ones through admitting to his hamartia of stubbornness. Sophocles uses the literary device of time to develop Creon’s remorse for his actions that ultimately demonstrate that Creon values family over authority. Advocates of the other viewpoint may argue that Creon never valued his family and was doing whatever was necessary to impress the people of Thebes to maintain his position as king. Though it is accurate that Creon cares deeply about his position as ruler of Thebes and maintains a stub, he has shown the audience that he is unable to live with the great guilt of his family’s downfall: “Take me away, I beg you, out of sight. A rash, indiscriminate fool! I murdered you, my son, against my will” (1460-1462). This suggests that Creon wants to be disposed of due to the severe troubles he’s caused his family. It is true that initially, Creon exclusively cared about his reputation and had no intention of honoring his family. The end of the play demonstrates that Creon can’t stand to live