Sophocles' Antigone

However, it is force out from the hateful and r dismantlegeful nature of his words that he is operating according to the standards of his darker emotions kinda than the standards of some political ideal: "No man is to sh ar him, or say the least prayer for him; he shall prevarication on the plain, unburied; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they give care" (1199-1200).

Kreon is basing his actions on the pettiest factors---his rage, his pride, his longing for r evege against Polyneices for returning to attack Thebes. He is so blinded by his pettiness that he cannot suck the disaster he is about to bring upon himself and the "State" he purports to love. He refuses to recognize that his decree to not cover the body has offended the gods: "The gods favor this corpse? Why? How had he served them?/ happenk to loot their temples, burn their images,/ Yes, and the whole State, and the laws with it!" (1202). But he has profoundly offended the gods, as well as the people of the state. He is so single-minded about having revenge on Polyneices that he hears or sees nothing which might awaken and save him.

It is clear from the strange natural occurrences which accompany Antigone's second attempt to bury the body (at least with a cover of dust) that she is indeed prefer by the gods, that she is doing the right thing while Kreon is doing the wrong thing. When she is brought in front Kreon she fearlessly tells him that he is wrong, that his decree is meaningless in the vista of the wil

However, at least in part, later events state that Ismene is not the complete coward she appears to be in that first scene with her sister. Antigone has indeed buried their brother, and she is summoned to appear beforehand Kreon. Antigone openly admits that she has buried hr brother, for she has never had any rely to hide her intentions or her actions. She is proud of her action and is more than will to take whatever retribution the male monarch desires.

Ismene is summoned by the king and she admits that she has taken some part in the burying of their brother, even though her participation to that point has been merely to listen to Antigone's plans.

She could need easily denied that she had anything to do with the defiance of the orders of the king, but instead she begins to show that she has some of the strength of character which her sister shows.

Ismene also comes to see what an unworthy king Kreon is, for the king does not care even for his own son, who will be thrown into grief when his bespoken Ismene is put to death.

Throughout the play Kreon shows an immaturity befitting a sullen, selfish, petty schoolboy, not an honorable king. At the same time, Antigone shows herself to be selfless and dedicated to high personal and spiritual principles which are completely unfamiliar to Kreon. Kreon's hypocrisy is exposed when he claims to be doing what he is doing for the sake of the State, but mocks Haimon, his son, when the young man says that every(prenominal) man in the city disagrees with the King over his actions toward Polyneices and Antigone. Haimon says Kreon is " talk like a boy now," and Kreon barks back, "My constituent is the one voice giving orders in this City!" (1211).

Antigone's bravery only emphasizes the cowardice of Ismene. Antigone is determined to do what is right for her brother and in congruity with the desires of the gods, while Ismene wants to cause no trouble for herself or anyone else, and is instinctive to obey the orders of Kreon even if it means
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