How does the theme of state vs family show the degeneration of Creons character?.
Family and state have played an important role in Greek culture for a very long time and have been integral parts of the Greek society. The play Antigone, by the Greek playwright Sophocles focuses on the conflict between the protagonist, Antigone and her uncle and king, Creon. This leads to one of the main themes of the play, the theme of State vs Family. Finding a balance between state and family is considered a very admirable trait in a person in the Greek society and one trait that every leader should possess. Unfortunately, Creon got so absorbed in his power and trying to restore order in the kingdom that he neglected about his family duties. This leads to many conflicts with various characters over the course of the play and also leads to the degeneration of Creons character.
The play starts with the kingdom in absolute chaos due to the death of Polyneices and Eteocles, the two sons of the former king, Oedipus. They die by each others swords and this leads to confusion as to who should take over the throne. Creon, the brother of Oedipus and uncle to Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone and their younger sister, Ismene ascends the throne as he is the nearest surviving kinsman. In his opening address as the king itself, which is also his first scene in the play, we get a glimpse of how power hungry and assertive Creon is. As for a man who considers someone he loves to be more important that his country, I say that he is nothing. These lines just further my point that Creon was a very narrow-minded human being, for whom his country would always be first. His views were that even if it means protecting himself or protecting his family, a king should first think about the state and the best policies for it rather than try to save his loved ones. And he thought that this should be the case for everyone. He completely neglects the fact that it is possible for a subject of the state to carry out both his political and family duties equally well without any harm to either his country or his state.
Antigone is not from a normal family. ... Creon made a law that no one could bury her brother Polyneices because he fought against the state. ... I'm just not made to war against the state-. ... Since Polyneices fought against the state, he made the law that no one could bury our mourn for Polyneices. ... I think Antigone and Haemon believed more in family than in authority. ...
Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic. ... Sophocles illustrated the rival claims of the state and the individual conscience. ... This is between Antigone and Polyneices. ... Antigone doesn't mind doing anything on her own. ... When Ismene refuses she is furious with her. " And now you can prove what you are: a true sister, or a traitor to your family (Prologue.26-27), he is my brother, and he is your brother too" (Prologue.33). ...
Antigone and her sister Ismene, are the last two left carrying the burden of the family curse that has been passed down for a few generations. ... Antigone takes a moral standpoint by stating, "I'd never let any man's arrogance bully me into breaking the God's laws. "(497-498). ... She chooses to disobey the rulers order, even though she understands the stated consequences of deaths as she earlier in the play discusses with her sister Ismene. ... Also, when she is in front of Creon, Ismene once again wishes to take the blame with her sister stating how, ˜she could never i...
This same perspective is found in Sophocles" play Antigone where Antigone, the protagonist, goes against the State due to the moral obligation she has by the Gods to her family. ... This according to both Antigone and Socrates was a much higher power and force than that of the State. ... In both Apology and Antigone, it was necessary for Socrates and Antigone (respectively speaking) to die to ensure an ideal state. ... The actions of Socrates and Antigone disturbed the "ideal state". ... Instead, they were meant to honor and respect a family member. ...
This confirms that she was as heartbroken and felt equal amounts of sorrow as Antigone did, but she chose to be civil and follow the law of the state. ... By no means is Antigone a model woman in Greek society due to her behavior, but one thing she defends until her death is her family. Her allegiance to her family is one thing Antigone holds true and close to her heart. ... Antigone proves that she's truly a woman who is devoted to her family by defying the king's commands and burying her brother. ... Antigone may have not followed with the characteristics of femininity but she alwa...
Antigone's Truth The plot of Antigone begins when the truth became known to Oedipus, king of Thebes, that he was married to his mother Jocasta. ... Antigone is the daughter of Odeipus, the former king of Thebes. ... Kreon, from conviction that outweighs family ties, convicts Antigone to be executed. Antigone and Ismene are sisters, the daughters of Oedipus the former king of Thebes. ... Ismeme finally does the right thing by trying to take part of the blame off of her sister Antigone for the burial of Polyneices...
Honor and a principled responsibility to gods and family are given equal weight in her self-defense. ... Antigone's ethics derive from a dual responsibility to the unwritten laws and the gods' will and to family relations and care for others. ... He says that Haemon shouldn't even be attracted to Antigone since she is an enemy of the state, and is disgusted with the thought of his son marrying a traitor. ... In the Crito, Socrates must choose between obedience of the state and obedience to his family and goodness of the gods. ... Antigone believes and upholds her belief in the g...
Creon believes that all people should obey the laws he has established, even if other beliefs, ethical or spiritual, state otherwise. ... The importance of family is another aspect explored throughout Antigone. How far should a person extend for a family member? ... By the end of the play, Antigone's loyalty to her family was well accepted by the people of Thebes and Creon. ... The fact that Antigone had such commitment to the rights of her family member makes her a sort of heroic character. ...
In one of Sopholes" most popular plays, Antigone, the female heroine, Antigone, suffers this unfortunate conception. ... Creon, Antigone's uncle and king of Thebes holds absolute control over the laws of the state, and consequently, the lives of the people who live on that land. ... Says Ismene: I"d do them (Ismene's deceased family) no dishonor But defy the city? ... (100-101) Antigone wants her crimes to be public. ... As a woman, Antigone suffers these philosophies. ...