Essay on Creon in Sophocles and Anouilhs Antigone -- Antigone essays

Creon in Sophocles and Anouilhs Antigone In both sportsmans, Creon sees himself as a motionless agent rather than a villain, only acting out a predetermined set of instructions based upon certain laws and edicts. Creon tries to give the idea that he is not really in control if it were up to him, as an individual, things would be different. Sophocles Creon tries to wash his hands of Antigones death by leaving her in a sealed cave. The gods exit determine her fate, so he thinks. Anouilhs Creon goes so far as to admit the childish stupidity of his own decree. He even confides in Antigone that he is not certain which brothers body was buried. He insists, though, that once knowledge of her act is public, the matter is entirely beyond his control. in that location is a point of no return past which he is feeble to act. In becoming king, an instrument of the State, Creon apprize no longer confirm his will as an individual, morally or otherwise. Where the original Creon tried to p ass matters with the gods, Anouilhs Creon points toward the State and its will independent of his own. Antigones fate unfolds in both plays and Creon does not interecede. Although ironically they share a sense of powerlessness, an important distinction can be made at this point. Sophocles Creon learns from Antigones death. Her sacrifice acquires meaning. Anouilhs Creon is too busy with matters of give tongue to to assess Antigones death on a personal level. Her sacrifice is inconsequential, other shot fired into the mob. The reaction of each king to Antigones death and the mass murder that ensues shapes the conclusion of each play literally and thematically. Creon in the original play repents belatedly after learnin... ... seems to suggest that morality must or will be compromised. For Sophocles, morality helps to reinforce order, entirely on a cosmic, and in many ways absurd, level. Creon is forced to submit to the laws of jealous, fickle, inconstant gods. Antigone is the only cheer for the gods place in judgement over mankind and her reward is an awry(p) death. This order is beyond human comprehension. Both plays leave a referee or audience morally unsettled. We find Creon morally culpable but are left uneasy by the order established at the conclusion. Perhaps this unsettling effect was at least part of the playwrights ultimate goal. plant life Cited Anouilh, Jean. Antigone. Rpt. in Masters of Modern Drama. Ed. Haskell M. Block and Robert G. Shedd, New York Random House, 1962. Sophocles. Antigone. Rpt. in Ten Greek Plays. Ed. L.R. Lind, Boston Houghton Mifflin, 1957.