Antigone Vs Creon
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Consider Antigones and Creons arguments. Identify the main points of each characters position, citing lines and page numbers. That is, for what Creon (Antigone) arguing?
The conflict between Antigone and Creon was over was over which laws to respect. Antigone believed that some laws came from the Gods. Such laws, such as the rights and rituals for proper burial, must be respected. In contrast, Theban king Creon believed that law making fell generally within the human domain and most specifically within his powers as a ruler of Thebes. Antigone also argues not only the laws of God but of family ties as well. Creon argues in the citys behalf which was the city comes before family. He worries more about the protection of the city then his own family.
Antigone- ” I will bury the brother I love” (Lines 64 page 312) ” Listen Ismene, Creon buried our brother Eteocles with military honors gave him a soldiers funeral and it was right that he should. But Polyneices who fought bravely and dies as miserably- they say Creon has sworn no one shall bury him, no one man for him, but his body must lay in the fields a sweet treasure for carrion birds to find as they say, and our good Creon is coming here to announce publically and penalty. Stoning to death in the square! There is and now you can prove what you are; a true sister or a traitor to your own family” (Lines 15-25 page 312). Creon- “I need hardly remind you that I would never I would never have any dealings with the enemy of the people. No one values friendship more highly than I: but we must remember that friends made at the risk of wrecking our ship are not real friends at all” (Lines 36-44 Page 315).
What literary devices are used to enrich the point?
Symbolism, Imagery and Allegory are used to enrich the arguments between Antigone and Creon. Much of the symbolism in Antigone lies in the characters themselves. Antigone and Creon represent a number of opposing forces: male vs. female, family ties vs. civic duty, man vs. nature, and mans laws vs. the laws of the gods. Theres tons of bird imagery throughout Antigone. For one, theres lots of talk of carrion birds making a buffet of Polyneices. The Chorus also describes Polyneices himself as a bird, a big mean eagle wreaking havoc on Thebes. This description seems to heighten the idea of Polyneices as fearful aggressor against his home town. The Chorus even goes so far as to describe Polyneices the eagle as feasting on their blood. This becomes pretty ironic when the birds are feasting on him. Another instance of imagery is when the Sentry describes Antigone as hovering over Poyneicess body like a mother bird. Here the bird reference seems to strengthen Antigones symbolism as both a maternal figure as well as representative of the ancient force of nature.
Evaluate the argument