Creon's Relationship In Antigone

The play “Antigone” conveys the interactions between the King Creon and his niece Antigone. Their interaction is different than a normal conversation between a women and male at the time, especially a man with as much power as Creon. Normally, a woman would surrender to the males wishes and keep her thoughts to herself. Antigone separates herself from this commonality by showing no fear as she admits to burying Polyneices, her brother, when the Creon questions her (Line 411). Creon is shocked by this confession because he doesn’t believe Antigone, or anyone for that matter, would know about his decree and blatantly disobey it (Line 414). She explains that any retribution for burying Polyneices would not pain her. Antigone even goes as far to call the king a fool (Lines 431-432). By performing these actions, she is showing her defiance to the decrees of Creon, making his order look inferior, as well as showing her commitment to perform the actions declared by the Gods. She defends her decision by saying that the dead don’t think their burials are less honorable if a traitor is also buried (Line 476). Antigone states her belief that most people in the kingdom would agree with the
Ismene is weaker than Antigone and doesn’t hold the same beliefs. Therefore, Ismene shows distress when she learns the news of Antigones’ capture by crying on her way to the palace (Lines 490-493). Ismene confesses that she committed the crime to Creon showing her loyalty to her sister but also her irrational thought process. This interaction causes the king to believe Ismene is mad and wants to commit them both as criminals (Lines 526, 530-531). Ismeme pleads with Creon, showing her inferiority, to save her sisters life. She even brings up the fact that Haemon, Creons son, and Antigone were supposed to get married. Ismenes actions make her seem desperate and give Creon the opportunity to make her look guilty to the