Antigone Notes Miss Johnson

Burial Eteocles and Polynices battled and killed each other Eteocles is buried with honor Polynices is unburied “Creon … forbids anyone to bury him, even mourn him. He’s to be left unwept, unburied” (654) Whoever buries him will be stoned Antigone intends to bury him “I have longer to please the dead than please the living here” (655) Ismene does not wish to help “You’d bury him when a law forbids the city?” (654) “Remember we are women, we’re not born to contend with men” (655)

Loyalty to the State Creon advocates loyalty to the state Gods/Fate “whoever places a friend above the good of his own country, his is nothing” (658) “What? What man alive would dare –” (660) It isn’t a man but a woman – Antigone Gods/Fate “could this possibly be the work of the gods?” (660) Creon threatens the messenger

Tyranny versus Anarchy versus Democracy Gender Roles Calls Antigone a slave; calls out Haemon for following a woman; claims he wants them to act like women Tyranny versus Anarchy versus Democracy Both Haemon and Antigone point out Creon’s tyranny Antigone speaks as if she is going to be married to death Oedipus often blamed for Antigone’s death His misfortune follows her Creon’s treats Tiresias inconsistently First, treats him with respect; trusts his words Then, disrespects him; claims he’s never spoken a true word and all his prophecies are for his own gain

Results of Creon’s Pride He begins to question his actions: LEADER: Tiresias’ has “never lied to Thebes” CREON: I know it myself – I’m shaken, torn. It’s a dreadful thing to yield … but resist now? Lay my pride bare to the blows of ruin? That’s dreadful too.” Creon goes to bury Polynices and release Antigone Hears Haemon at Antigone’s cave; Antigone has hung herself Haemon at first attacks Creon then kills himself Thus, Tiresias’ prophecy comes true Eurydice also kills herself