Always Do What Is Right In Antigone

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS JUST A ROUGH DRAFT.
Mark Twain once said, “Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other”. Through events in the play Antigone, Sophocles discusses this choice between what is morally right and lawfully right. Sophocles believes that the god’s laws should be upheld no matter what the circumstance, and he demonstrates this through the events in the play. Using the Greek traits Hubris, Ate, and the Nemesis, Sophocles creates inner turmoil within the characters in the play, and the decisions they must make.
Through arguments between the characters in Antigone, Sophocles emphasizes the Greek trait Hubris to show the decision between the gods and society. In the beginning of the play, Creon
expresses his despise for traitors, saying, “And whoever places a friend above the good of his own, he is nothing: I have no use for him.” (203-5) Creon believes that no traitor should be honored for what he did, not even buried. Sophocles uses Creon to show the trait Hubris, which is evaluating one’s own judgement above the laws of the gods. While arguing with the Sentry and the Leader, Creon states, “You say- why it’s intolerable- say the gods could have the slightest concern for that corpse?” (319-20)
Not wanting to believe anyone else’s judgement but his own, Creon clearly expresses that the gods could want nothing with the traitor, Polynices. This further proves that Creon's sense of judgement is flawed, and Sophocles discusses the point of choosing society over the gods using this argument to further his point. During this shpiel with his father, Haemon claims “Whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, the gift of eloquence, he and no one else, and character too… such men, I tell you, spread them open- you will find them empty.” (791-4) Haemon is obviously upset that Creon will listen to no one but himself, not even the gods. Creon believes his judgement is better, and that society is more important than honoring the gods. This shows that his single-minded father will not only make the wrong decision, but will fail drastically. In conclusion, Sophocles believes that the gods should be honored above everything else, and he demonstrates this through the consequences Creon had to face for not listening. Using another greek trait Atê, Sophocles shows the aftermath of choices made through brash decision making.
When telling his prophecy to Creon, Tiresias asks, “Oh god, is there a man alive who knows, who actually believes … just how much a sense of judgement, wisdom is the greatest gift we have?” (1165). Tiresias believes that the ability to make wise decisions or actions is the most important trait to have, in which case Creon does not posses. To be able to make the right decision, one must have the ability to listen to others and not just themselves. Tiresias also says, “All men make mistakes, it is only human. But once the wrong is done, a man can turn his back on folly, misfortune too, if he tries to make amends, however low he’s fallen, and stopped his bullnecked ways.” (1132-6). In this powerful quote, Tiresias is pleading with Creon to listen, to realize what he’s about to do. Creon’s Atê and Hubris prevent him from doing the right thing, until it’s too late. During the climax of the play, Tiresias finally proclaims, “ You, you have no business with the dead, nor do the gods above- this is violence you have forced upon the heavens” (1191-2). Tiresias curses Creon for not burying Polynices, because he was too focused on society and his own needs. Reckless, impulsive action results in awful decision making, which then results in consequences from the gods. Creon listened to no one but himself and his own ideas, and it ruined
him. The Nemesis in the play is the punishment of the gods inflicted by the furries. Creon expresses great pain at the end of the play, saying, “Ohhh my crimes, so senseless, so insane, my stubborn, deadly- Look at us, the killer, the killed, father and son, cut off so young!”Creon sees too late his unjust decisions and the results of his actions. After this, the Messenger reports to Creon saying, “Master, what a hoard of grief you have, and you’ll have more. The grief that lies to hand you’ve brought yourself- the rest, in the house, you’ll see it all too soon… The queen is dead” (1407-10). The resulting outcome of the of the play is caused by the brash decisions Creon made in order to save his city. He thought he was doing the right thing, but by going against the gods he was punished. In the final moments of the play, when the Chorus is doing the Exodus, they proclaim,” Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy, and reverence toward the gods must be safeguarded.” Through events in the play, one learns that nothing will turn out as planned if they put priorities before the gods and their laws. Creon lost his whole family that day, and it’s a huge lesson that teaches people to do the right thing, always. In conclusion, Sophocles believes that the god’s laws should be upheld no matter what the circumstance. He demonstrates this through the events in the play and using the traits of the tragic hero Hubris and Atê. Like most tragedies, most of the characters die. Creon was brash and put his own judgment before that of the gods, and he paid for it greatly, by losing the lives of his family.