Why Antigone Buried Her Brother Despite the Edict

Antigone ignored Creon's decree for two reasons: the gods and love.
Antigone buried Polynices nonetheless because she wished to obey the spiritual laws. The king's laws would always stand beneath the gods' orders. Antigone felt that if she gave Polynices a proper burial, she would be 'right' with the heavens. Since Polynices was of a good lineage, he was granted a proper burial, but after he left the city and Creon was throned, Creon thought he no longer deserved even a hint of respect. Creon would rather deal with the gods' wrath than to see his pride go down the drain.
Another reason Antigone disobeyed Creon was because she was compassionate. For her, she would rather die a painful death than to see her own brother rot in misery. If she would have let this happen, Antigone's honor for herself would be gone, knowing she let her brother die without even trying to save him. Even though Polynices did leave the city and was thought to be a traitor, she still loved him because he was family.

Hamilton #1

When reading the mythology book, examine the hero tales closely (focus on the Greek and Roman heroes). What do these tales have in common?

In Mythology, all of the hero tales have similar themes, if not always identical story lines. One theme that occurs over and over is that the heroes rarely accomplish their great deeds without the aid of the gods. The only way Perseus succeeded in his quest for Medusa's head was with extensive help from both Hermes and Athena. Odysseus was only released from Calypso's island with a mandate from Zeus, and the rest of his travels were aided by the likes of Ino, Athena, Hermes, and several others. Even the mighty Hercules, equal to the gods in many ways, was helped by Athena to drive away the Stymphalian birds. This common thread shows up in almost every heroic tale in Greek and Roman mythology.

Creon's edict

Creon's decision to issue the edict against Polyneices' burial was made out of spite. The main reason Creon forbid Polyneices’ burial was he viewed him as a traitor “ravaging our country” as he said on page 32. Creon hated Polyneices for attacking Thebes and killing Eteocles who Creon views as a hero. Because of this and Creons once an enemy always an enemy mentality, Creon issued the edict forbidding Polyneices burial to exact vengeance on the traitor by dooming his spirit to eternal unrest.

Edith's Mythology Number One

The Greek and Roman heroes all have stories and myths. One thing they all have in common is, in their stories, they have gods that are either for them or against them. For example, in the judgement of Paris, Paris gave Aphrodite, rather thatn Hera or Athena, the golden apple. While Aphrodite was on his side because of his decision, Hera was infuriated and made Paris her enemy. This also led to the Trojan War.

Antigone or Mythology

What would be a good project to complete that would demonstrate comprehension, analysis, and application of elements from either the mythology book or Antigone? Be specific in the wording of the project you design. Be sure to list the medium of the final product (picture, PowerPoint presentation, playbill, etc.), the specifics that must be addressed in the final product, and a rubric that would be used to evaluate such product.

For example, two years ago my students worked in groups with an assigned hero (Theseus, Hercules, etc.). Their task was to learn the etiquette of job interviews and then role play a hero that was trying to hire a personal assistant. They knew they were going to be video taped. Things I specifically looked for in the process included a script, appropriate attire and props, knowledge of hero incorporated into dialogue, interviewing skills, and overall video production.

While that isn't the exact wording of the assignment I gave them, you should get the picture. If you choose to respond to this prompt, be sure this is a professional response. Imagine that I am going to pick some of these to assign to you in the first few days of school. Please send these as a word document attached to an email to me at mstengel@access.k12.wv.us.

Why I Think Antigone Chose to Defy Creon

The reason behind Antigone's behavior, in my point of view, has to do with honor and spiritual beliefs. Antigone wants her brother Polynices buried because they believe that the only way a soul can get eternal peace is by a correct burial. Otherwise, the spirit will be "condemned to eternal unrest". The holy laws state that this must be performed. Antigone believes that all laws should be followed, especially this one. Dealing with honor, I do believe Antigone wants to bring some of that honor to Polynices and her father. She is willing to disobey Creon's decree despite his set punishment. Honor goes a long way with the Greeks and Romans.

Antigone #3

You need to understand the concepts of character foils, parallel characters, and a catalyst. Look up these literary terms and apply them to the following prompt:

Antigone and Creon are not the only characters to make choices, advance the plot, or struggle with conflict. Consider each of the minor characters and their actions. Identify which label each should receive and why you designate that label. Some characters fit into more than one label.

Ismene, Haemon, Sentry, Teiresias, Eutydice, Messenger

If you pick character foil or parallel characters, they work in pairs and will usually be paired up with one of the main characters (Antigone or Creon).

Antigone #2

Analyze the characters' decisions. Pick one of the following choices made by either Antigone or Creon and tell me what you think was his or her motivating force(s) and the consequences for himself/herself and quite possibly others.

1. Antigone's choice to bury her brother despite the king's edict

2. Antigone's decision to insult Creon when he confronted her

3. Antigone' refusal to allow Ismene to share her guilt

4. Creon's decision to issue the edict against Polyneices' burial

5. Creon accuses Teiresias of accepting bribes

6. Creon's decision to give in to the counsels of Teiresias

Events Prior To Antigone

The beginning of the play Antigone actually begins with the tale of Oedipus. Born to father King Laius and mother Queen Jocasta, he was conceived in Thebes. Apollo's oracle, located at Delphi, told a prophecy of great dismay. The king and queen were told that their son would grow up to kill King Laius, and marry his mother. Appalled, they decided to rid of him and be sure he was killed. They gave him to a shepherd, with his feet bound, and told the shepherd to abandon him for death to come. The shepherd had pity on the little baby and gave him to a Corinthian shepherd. This shepherd gives the baby to the king and queen of Corinth. They name him Oedipus, and raise him up into a young man. When Oedipus is older, he discovers the prophecy. He runs away from Corinth, thinking the king and queen are his real parents.
On his journey, he comes across a haughty man who runs him off the road with his chariot. Oedipus, angered, begins to fight the man. The rude stranger is killed, along with his men. Without knowing it, Oedipus kills his father, King Laius. He carried on with his wandering into Thebes. At this time, Thebes has been being threatened by the Sphinx, a creature with the body of a lion, wings, and the face and torso of a woman. She plagues men with a riddle, and when they get it wrong, she devours them. No one has gotten the answer to the riddle. Oedipus encounters this monster, and answers the riddle. The Sphinx then kills herself and Oedipus is free to pass. The citizens of Thebes welcome Oedipus as their savior, and he is proclaimed King of Thebes and, unbeknown, marries his mother. The prophecy has come true, and he has two sons, Polynices and and Eteocles, and two daughters, Antigone and Ismene with his new wife.
After a few years, a plague strikes Thebes, and the prophesied only way to end it is to punish the murderer of King Laius. Oedipus goes through many troubles to find the killer, and in the end learns it is he, the murderer of King Laius, in which he seeks. His mother is horrified, and if found dead by suicide in her chambers. Oedipus gouges out his eyes and is sentenced to wander to land, exiled from Thebes by Creon, Queen Jocasta's brother. Antigone accompanies him, and she and Ismene end up present at his death in Colonus. Eteocles becomes King of Thebes, and banishes his brother, Polynices. Polynices flees to Argos and raises an army, in which he begins battle agaisnt Thebes. Polynices and Eteocles both die, and Eteocles is given a proper burial. Creon declares Polynices a traitor, and decrees that his body shall not be buried and must be left to rot. Anyone who buries him will be put to death. This was very important back then, and a horrendous punishment because the Greeks believed that for the soul to be put to eternal rest, the dead person must have a proper burial. Antigone, being sister of Polynices, demands a proper burial for her brother. She believes that the Holy laws should be abided by. This begins the conflict between Antigone anf Creon.

Edith's Mythology on Heroes

In the Mythology book, the stories told of heroes are often similar. One of the similarities is that the heroes usually get help from the gods. E.g. Athene helping Perseus kill Medusa, or Athene helping Odysseus as he was returning home. The heroes are also rather clever and have many tricks up their sleeves. Take Heracles for example: He cleaned the Augean Stables in one day using the river and tricked Atlas into holding the sky again. And when the heroes lose something in the tales, they also regain something in return.

Antigone #1

Antigone is actually the third play in a series of three. You have to be familiar with the Oedipus myth in Edith Hamilton's Mythology in order to understand the background leading into Antigone. It gives the resolution to the entire myth.

Ten points extra credit will be awarded to the first individual that can explain in his or her OWN words what events transpired before the beginning of Antigone. HINT: the answer can actually be found in the play and will need to be pieced together with the information from the mythology book.

Hamilton #1

When reading the mythology book, examine the hero tales closely (focus on the Greek and Roman heroes). What do these tales have in common?