Analysis of Burial at Thebes

The opening events of the lean quickly establish the central appointment. Creon has ordained that the two-timer Polynices must not be given proper burial, and Antig maven is the nevertheless one who will speak against this decree and put forward on the sacredness of family. Whereas Antigone sees no validity in a law that disregards the duty family members owe one another, Creons point of cerebration is exactly opposite.He has no use for anyone who places private ties above the third e adduce dear(p), as he proclaims firmly to the Chorus and the audition as he revels in his victory over Polynices. Creons first speech, which is dominated by words such as principle, law, policy, and decree, shows the purpose to which Creon fixates on government and law as the supreme authority. Between Antigone and Creon there commode be no compromisethey 2 find absolute validity in the respective loyalties they uphold.In the struggle between Creon and Antigone, Sophocles audience would have recognized a old(prenominal) conflict of duties and values. In their ethical philosophy, the ancient Athenians clearly recognized that conflicts can flow between two separate that if valid principles, and that such situations call for operable judgment and computation. From the Greek point of view, some(prenominal)(prenominal) Creons and Antigones positions are defacemented, because both oversimplify ethical life by recognizing only one kind of good or duty.By oversimplifying, each ignores the fact that a conflict exists at all, or that deliberation is necessary. Moreover, both Creon and Antigone dis musical compositionoeuvre the dangerous flaw of overcharge in the fashion they rationalise and carry out their decisions. Antigone admits right from the starting signal that she wants to carry out the burial because the do is glorious. Creons pride is that of a tyrant. He is inflexible and unyielding, unwilling by dint ofout the period of play to listen to advice.T he danger of pride is that it leads both these characters to overlook their own gentlemans gentleman finitenessthe limitations of their own powers. Oddly enough, the funnyal, lower-class courier is the only character to exhibit the dubiousness and careful weighing of alternatives required by practical judgment. The finder has no laid idea of an appropriate course of action. He says that as he was coming to sustain his message, he was lost in thought, go back and forth, pondering the consequences of what he superpower say and do.The sentrys comic wavering seems, at this point, like the only sensible way of acting in this society unlike Creon or Antigone or even Ismene, the sentry con officers the possible alternatives to his cave in situation. As a comic character, the sentry offsets the brutal force of Creons will. Whereas the conflict between Creon and Antigone is a violent detrition of two opposing, forceful wills, Creons detriment is clearest when he promises to kill the sentry if the psyche responsible for Polynices burial is not found.The two times the Chorus speaks in this section, it seems to side with Creon and the established power of Thebes. The Choruss first speech (117179) take ins the thwarted pride of the invading enemy Zeus hates rodomontade and bragging. Yet this paean to the victory of Thebes through the graces of Zeus has a subtly decisive edge. The Choruss focus on pride and the fall of the prideful comments underhand on the willfulness we have only if seen in Antigone and will see in Creon.Few speeches in the Oedipus plays are more egotistical with self-importance than Creons first speech, where he assumes the awesome task of setting the citys course and reiterates his decree against the traitor Polynices (199). The second choral ode begins on an rose-colored note nevertheless becomes darker toward the end. This ode celebrates the wonder of man, but the Greek word for wonderful (deinon) has already been used twice in the play with the connotation of horrible or affright (the messenger and Chorus use it to describe the mysterious burial of the body).The Chorus seems to flattery man for being able to light upon whatever design he sets his sights oncrossing the sea in winter, snaring birds and beasts, taming absurd horses. But the point of the ode is that while man may be able to professional nature by developing techniques to accomplish his goals, man should formulate those goals by winning into consideration the mood and mind for law, justice, and the common good. Otherwise, man becomes a monster.In his first speech, Creon in like manner uses imagery of mastery to describe the way he governshe holds the ship of assign on course (180). The logical trouble with Creons rhetoric is that maintaining the ship cannot be the ultimate good or goal in life, as he seems to think. Ships decease with some further end in mind, not for the sake of traveling. Similarly, the stability of the state may be important, but only because that stability enables the pursuit of other human goals, such as honoring family, gods, and love ones.