The Contrast Between Antigone And Creon

Selflessness, and determination are great characteristics to have, but when they are put against each other, problems can arise. In the play Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone is trying to bury her brother Polynices after his tragic death, while fighting for the throne. Creon doesn’t want Polynices to be buried because of how he died, fighting for the throne, and killing Eteocles, the rightful king. Creon doesn't think it is just for Polynices to be buried. But Antigone says the gods desire it. Antigone and Creon put each other in tough situations, which creates a theme and advances the plot. Throughout the play Antigone acts as a foil for Creon and her selflessness contrasts with Creon's determination to advance the plot and develop the theme of staying true to your morals.
When Antigone’s selflessness to do what is right for her brother contradicts Creon's determination to do what he thinks is just conflicts arise.
Antigone says the gods want her to bury Polynices, which she does. While burying her beloved brother, she is caught by the guard, taken to the palace where she awaits her fate. When she's is being questioned by Creon for her crime she announces to Creon “take me and kill me-what more do you want?” (Line 266). She accomplished what she needed and buried her brother. She does this bringing out Creon’s determination to kill anyone who buries Polynices, Even if it’s his son's fiancee. So determined to stick to his morals he responded “Me? Nothing. With that I have everything.” (Line 267). When she announced what she did to Creon it brought out his determination to kill anyone who buries Polynices, and nothing would stand in the way of his punishment, even if it meant deeply saddening his son with his Fiance’s
death.
The differences in actions, thoughts, and beliefs between Antigone and Creon helped advance the plot of the play. Creon is trying to do what he thinks is just, along with making the right decision for the kingdom. Antigone is fighting for her brothers right to have a proper burial. With their differences they have dramatically moved forward the play. Throughout the play Antigone is focused on the gods wanting her to bury Polynices’ body, when she is being questioned by Creon about burying Polynices she said “Hades still desires equal rites for both” (Line 592-593). Antigone believes that Hades, the god of the dead, and the king of the underworld wants both Eteocles and Polynices to be equally respected by both their bodies being buried. Antigone’s selflessness made her only think of her brother, and not the consequences behind her actions. When Creon sees his son's fiancee awaiting punishment for her crime he does not show her any mercy. He announces to the guard “She may be my sister’s child, closer to me by blood than anyone belonging to my house who worships Zeus Herkeios in my home, but she’ll not escape my harshest punishment” (Line 550-554). Even though Antigone is one of his closest relatives he still is determined to punish her by death for her actions. Antigone’s selflessness and Creon’s determination move the plot forward by consistently causing conflicts in both their lives and the lives of the people around them.
Antigone acting as a foil for Creon advances the theme of sticking to your morals because, even with the consequences that arise from what they think is just, they still stay true to their morals. After Polynices death Creon made an announcement to the town stating that he would kill anyone who tried to bury Polynices body, Antigone refused to listen. Antigone tells her sister, Ismene that Creon wasn’t going to be holding a funeral for Polynices, and declared what Creon’s punishment for anyone who dared to attempt to bury Polynices. Antigone states “For Creon this matter is really serious. Anyone who acts against the order will be stoned to death before the city.” (Line 42-44). Creon was determined to kill anyone who dared to go behind his back and do something that in his mind wasn't just. Antigone tells Ismene her plan to bury their brother, saying to her “I’ll do my duty to my brother-and yours as well, if you're not prepared to. I won't be caught betraying him” (Line 56-58). Antigone decided to be selfless and not think of the punishment and buried him. She was burying him for the second time, when the guard caught her, and was brought to the palace to be questioned by Creon. When Creon heard the news, he wanted to know if she was aware of the punishment, which she was, Creon angrily announced to her “And yet you dare break those laws?” (Line 508). Creon was outraged someone went and buried Polynices body, he was determined to kill Antigone for her act. Antigone and Creon’s different ideas of what is just is an example of how Antigone is a foil for Creon.
In conclusion, Antigone is a foil for Creon throughout the play. Antigone’s selflessness conflicts with Creon’s determination. They both are standing up for what they think is just, which supports the theme of staying true to your morals.