Classic 45c Notes

* Female by nature, not by law…are supposed to be obedient…ruled by men…there’s something unnatural about what Antigone is doing…. * This play is about gender also * Ismene =ideal woman * Women should be silent and Ismene voices that * Women should be sensible, should be ruled by men

* Greek audience at the time is supposed to hate Antigone * Creon he wants to see himself as voicing the opinions of the gods… Antigone also says that she’s working for the divine…and that complicates things * Creon stands for the city * He aligns his authority with the authority of the gods * He doesn’t think of himself of going against the gods * He has taken over and summoned the people and asked them how he rules…..how does he rule? Notice how he likes public speaking! When the city is suffering….when the city is in trouble, you shouldn’t be silent * The city is at this point in a kind of danger that Creon does not see yet. He will see it later on….if the city is suffering he wants the people to speak up and take action….he’s not talking about Antigone of course….but she’s doing just that…. * Loyalty is to the state! Not to another human being! * And yet at the end of the play, to whom does he show loyalty??? HIS SON * These are his values and he does not abide by his values… * It is not in a way family vs. state….it is family vs. Creon state….this is the state that Creon is organizing…..why does this state have to fall? Not state in general….keep that in mind… * He wants us to see the proclamation coming up is in harmony…..he’s inviting us to see the proclamation: Eteocles will be buried in his grave while Polyneices will not be buried….he is not to be mourned….. * Creon uses the future ( Eteocles SHALL BE BURIED……) * Antigone uses the past * Another thing we noticed is the cruelty of the king ( you shall watch him chewed up )…something that we see rot,