LRJ 2

Hui Hoang
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB
26 November 2008

As the two siblings fought in the fields of Thebes for a very long period of time it finally ended in a bloody stalemate. Both were critically injured and they both passed away on the field. In the celebration of their victory and their new king of Thebes, Creon ordered a military funeral for Eteocles as he did not for Polyneices. He warns the people of Thebes not to interfere with the body of Polyneics, “His body must lie in the fields, a sweet tresure for the carrion birds.” (Antigone 21) But Antigone could not let this happen for she still cared for her dear brother Polyneices. Antigone brings Ismene to speak with her in secrecy, she asks for her assistance in the burial of her brother. While Ismene questions her motives Antigone has well decided what she was going to do”Yes. I’ll do my duty to my brother and yours as well.” (59 - 60) Ismene is so afraid of breaking the laws that he left Antigone to go alone.
The next day a guard arrives at the palace to tell Creon of some bad news, “It’s about the corpse. Someone has buried it and disappeared.” (282 - 283) Creon sends the guard to investigate who buried the corpse. Quickly he returns the next day to report of his findings “This here’s the one who carried out the act.We caught her as she was burying the corpse.” (432 -433) The image of this quote brings of importance because no one would ever attempt to break the law made by the king himself but if so how could it be of a women. Creon is quite surprised himself as he realizes what was happening in front of him, anognorisis fill Creons head as he could not belive his own niece would betray him. “You there you with your face bent down towards the ground, what do you say? Do you deny you did this or admit it?” (441 - 443) Creon sentences her to death as he is a man of his word and would not go back on what he has said not to do.
Haimon goes to see Creon about what has happened, Creon assures Haimon that losing Antigone would not affect his life. “Indeed, my son, that’s how your heart should always be resolved, to stand behind your father’s judgment.” (638 – 640) Creon just sees women as objects that can be replaced but Haimon sees it differently. Haimon begins to question Creons actions in defense of Antigone. Haimon leaves angrily threatening his life if Antigone is hurt. Creon did not believe so but a great prophet prophesized many deaths to come. In response Creon went to do the right things but when he arrives at the dungeon Antigone was locked in he finds the Antigone has committed suicide and that his son has done so to. The sudden perpetia overwhelms Creon with emotions as when he returns to the kingdom he finds of the loss of his wife as well leaving him in grief.

Works cited
sophocles."Antigone."Sophocles antigone. Trans. Ian Johnston. 9 Aug 2008. Vancouver island university Malaspina. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/Sophocles/Antigone.htm>