Antigone

Right versus wrong…

A story of a prideful king by the name of Creon that becomes so caught up in his emotions and self righteousness that his own sense of realty becomes blurred; which causes him to ignore the advice of many wise people around him, including his own son (Haemon). The king made a law that stated that if anyone died without honor then they shall not be buried and left for the wild animals to feed off of them. If anyone were to bury a person without rightful reason according to the new law, that person would be sentenced to death. The king never thought about how the people would really respond to his new law nor did he act like he cared about their feelings on the matter.

This news upset his niece Antigone greatly. She just lost her two brothers to war. One died with honor (Eteocles) and the other (Polynices) did not. She could not bear the thought of her brother Polynices not receiving a rightful burial and being left for the animals. So she buried him herself. The king was NOT happy with her defying the laws of the land so he sentenced her to death. Even though the people of the city believed she did nothing wrong.

Thoughts of the people: “No woman,” they say, “ever deserved death less, and such a brutal death for such a glorious action. She with her own dear brother lying in his blood-she couldn’t bear to leave him dead, unburied, food for the wild dogs or wheeling vultures. Death? She deserves a glowing crown of gold!”

Even the wise Tiresias came to Creon with a warning, “Take these things to heart, my son, I warn you. All men make mistakes, it is only human. But once the wrong is done, a man can turn his back on folly, misfortune too, if he tries to make amends, however low he’s fallen, and stops his bullnecked ways. Stubbornness brands you for stupidity-pride is a crime.”  

With great frustration Tiresias told Creon his prophecy hoping that it would change his mind about killing Antigone, “The chariot of the sun will not race through so many circuits more, before you have surrendered on born of your own loins, your own flesh and blood a corpse for corpses given in return, since you have thrust to the world below a child sprung for the world above, ruthlessly lodged a living soul within the grave- then you’ve robbed the gods below the earth, keeping a dead body here in the bright air, unburied, unsung, unhallowed by the rites. You, you have no business with the dead, nor do the gods above-this is violence you have forced upon the heavens. And so the avengers, the dark destroyers late but true to the mark, now lie in wait for you, the Furies sent by the gods and the god of death to strike you down with the pains that you perfected!”

It wasn’t until Creon heard Tiresias words that he seemed to change his mind about killing Antigone. However, by then it was too late.

The prophecy became true; death began to surround Creon, Antigone his niece, Haemon his son and Eurydice his wife all died within an hour or so. Creon felt deeply pained and full of guilt because he knew that all of their blood was on his hands. He alone made the decisions and went against all wise council, and to think it all could have been avoided if he would have stepped back and listened. Yet, he was to prideful and arrogant to hear truth. Such a catastrophe yet in my opinion deserved.

Why do we ask for advice from others, yet rarely listen to what they have to say? Is it because their opinions don’t match our own belief on the subject at hand?

 This again should be a lesson learned by others mistakes. Seek wise council, avoid pride and never disregard warnings from others.