Antigone Compare and Contrast

In the play, Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone and Creon share similar traits that ultimately lead to their downfalls. Conflict between Antigone and Creon are the result of both their similarities and differences.

Antigone and Creon have many differences, for example they are both loyal but they're loyal to different people/things. Antigone is loyal to her family. Antigone says, " I will bury the brother I love" (Prologue. 73). This shows that even though she is forbidden to bury him, she still wants to because she loves her family and thinks that he deserves to be buried. Antigone is also loyal to the Gods when she rebukes Creon for thinking that his laws are more important than the laws of the Gods. this shows her loyalty to the Gods because she doesn't see it as the right thing to do, she believes that the way of the Gods are the way everyone should abide by. Although Creon isn't as loyal to the Gods or family, he is loyal to the state. Creon says, "Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our ship of state, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last!" (I. 8-10). This shows that he is loyal to his people because he shows that he actually cares about his troops. Creon isn't as loyal to family because he didn't care that Polynieces died in battle and made a law to forbid everyone from burring him. Creon thinks Polynieces was a traitor and didn't care how his family saw the issue.

Antigone and Creon are similar in that they're both very proud and arrogant. For example, Antigone shows self pride when she says, " I should have praise and honor for what I have done" (II. 113). This is a demonstration of self pride because she was basically demanding popularity, praise, and honor for her actions and she wants to be recognized. Also, Antigone says that all the men would praise her if it wasn't for the men being afraid of Creon. This shows that she thinks the men wouldn't fear her. So, she would be a better ruler. As for Creon, he also shows a lot of hubris when he says, "My voice is the only voice giving orders in this city!" (III. 108). This demonstrates that Creon doesn't like when people try to have a say in demands, not even the Gods. He also says to Heimon that he'll regret his superior tone used toward him. This shows that Creon doesn't like when people try to be superior to Creon. Creon and Antigone both have Hubris.

Creon Deserves his punishment that he got because he totally went against the laws of the Gods and didn't let anyone bury Polynieces. Antigone didn't deserve her life sentence punishment because she stayed loyal to her brother and did what she thought was the right thing to do.