Tuesday, May 17, 2016

In Antigone, what is the penalty for breaking the decree set forth by Creon?

In Sophocles's tragic play Antigone, Creon, the ruler of Thebes, makes a decree that Polyneices's body will be subjected to public shame after the civil war led by the rivaling brothers (Polyneices and Eteocles) ends with both men dead. While Eteocles's body will be properly honored and handled, Polyneices will not receive holy rights and will go unburied so animals can pick at his carcass. 


Creon decides the consequence of breaking this decree is death. Despite this, Antigone risks her life to honor her brother's legacy by giving him a burial.


As a result, Creon has her imprisoned and then buried alive in a cave. These actions displease the gods, and the Chorus tries to warn Creon that Antigone should be freed. Unfortunately, Creon is too stubborn to listen; Antigone kills herself, causing suffering to fall upon the land.

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