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| Character | Creon | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Persuasive, Gives orders | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Ancient Greek | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Creon urges his son to accept Antigone's death sentence | |
| Location | Middle of play | |
Summary
Antigone is the sequel to Aeschylus' Seven Against Thebes. In Aeschylus' play two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, faced each other in battle for Thebe's throne and they both died in the battle. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, declares that only Etiocles will be buried and Policeices' body will be left in the battlefield.
Antigone, the sister of the two dead brothers, decides to defy Creon's decree and bury her brother. When Creon finds out he sentences her to death, even if she is his son's (Haemon) fiance´. Haemon tries to persuade him to change his mind to no avail. Antigone is buried alive in a cave.
After listening to the advice of a blind prophet, Tiresias, and considering the negative reaction of the people of Thebes for his harsh sentence, Creon changes his mind. It is too late though, as Antigone and Haemon have taken their own lives. Hearing the news, Creon's wife, Eurydice, takes her life as well.
Creon blames himself for what happened to his family, realizing that is his punishment for acting against the gods.
In this monologue Creon urges his son Haemon to accept his decision of punishing Antigone with a death sentence. It is necessary, he argues, to keep order in the city.
Antigone, the sister of the two dead brothers, decides to defy Creon's decree and bury her brother. When Creon finds out he sentences her to death, even if she is his son's (Haemon) fiance´. Haemon tries to persuade him to change his mind to no avail. Antigone is buried alive in a cave.
After listening to the advice of a blind prophet, Tiresias, and considering the negative reaction of the people of Thebes for his harsh sentence, Creon changes his mind. It is too late though, as Antigone and Haemon have taken their own lives. Hearing the news, Creon's wife, Eurydice, takes her life as well.
Creon blames himself for what happened to his family, realizing that is his punishment for acting against the gods.
In this monologue Creon urges his son Haemon to accept his decision of punishing Antigone with a death sentence. It is necessary, he argues, to keep order in the city.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| CREON Yea, this, my son, should be thy heart's fixed law,-in all things to obey thy father's will. 'Tis for this that men pray to see dutiful children grow up around them in their homes,-that such may requite their father's foe with evil, and honour, as their father doth, his friend. But he who begets unprofitable children-what shall we say that he hath sown, but troubles for himself, and much triumph for his foes? Then do not thou, my son, at pleasure's beck, dethrone thy reason for a woman's sake; knowing that this is a joy that soon grows cold in clasping arms,-an evil woman to share thy bed and thy home. For what wound could strike deeper than a false friend? Nay, with loathing, and as if she were thine enemy, let this girl go to find a husband in the house of Hades. For since I have taken her, alone of all the city, in open disobedience, I will not make myself a liar to my people-I will slay her. So let her appeal as she will to the majesty of kindred blood. If I am to nurture mine own kindred in naughtiness, needs must I bear with it in aliens. He who does his duty in his own household will be found righteous in the State also. But if any one transgresses, and does violence to the laws, or thinks to dictate to his rulers, such an one can win no praise from me. No, whomsoever the city may appoint, that man must be obeyed, in little things and great, in just things and unjust; and I should feel sure that one who thus obeys would be a good ruler no less than a good subject, and in the storm of spears would stand his ground where he was set, loyal and dauntless at his comrade's side. But disobedience is the worst of evils. This it is that ruins cities; this makes homes desolate; by this, the ranks of allies are broken into head-long rout; but, of the lives whose course is fair, the greater part owes safety to obedience. Therefore we must support the cause of order, and in no wise suffer a woman to worst us. Better to fall from power, if we must, by a man's hand; then we should not be called weaker than a woman. |
