Creon’s Decision Argumentative Essay

Sophocles’ Antigone tells the tragic tale of Antigone, a woman who defies the orders of her uncle, the king, to honor the death of her brother, Polyneices, ultimately resulting in her exile and death. Although it can be agreed that Antigone’s respect and love for her brother was heroic and noble, the question can be asked about whether or not Creon, Antigone’s uncle, was right in his decree to deny Polyneices a proper burial. This essay will explore this question through arguments in support of Creon’s decision and arguments against Creon’s decision. 

It can be argued that Creon was right in his enforcement of the law prohibiting the burial of Polyneices for various reasons. One reason in which his law could seem just was that Polyneices died a dishonorable death in the eyes of Creon after Polyneices killed his own brother. Another reason for the law being acceptable was that Creon felt that honoring his homeland was important. A final reason for this law appearing just was Creon's desire to prove to his state and subjects that he was a powerful leader, and could be authoritative. 

In order to discuss Polyneices’ dishonor, it is important to recall the beginning of the play Antigone. The story of Antigone began with two women named Antigone and Ismene - with Ismene being Antigone’s sister -  discussing the desire to bury their brother who had been barred from burial on the king’s orders. Although Antigone was adamant about burying her brother out of the respect that she believed he deserved in death, Antigone admitted that Polyneices died a shameful death. Antigone explained to Ismene that “They say he has buried Eteocles with full and just and lawful honors due the dead; but Polyneices, who died as pitiably - Creon has proclaimed that his body will stay unburied; no mourners, no tomb, no tears,” (pg. 22). As the plot of the play continued, Creon ultimately explained his reasoning behind not burying Polyneices, stating that “I will never let criminals excel good men in honor.” (pg. 28). Creon further mentioned that “anyone who’s a good man inside his house is a just man where the state is concerned. Any man who breaks laws, uses violence against them, thinks he can give orders to stronger men, gains no praise from me.” (pg. 47). From examining these three quotes from Antigone, Creon's reasoning behind his law related to Polyneices was made more clear. In Creon’s eyes, Polyneices turned his back on his duties of being a good man by betraying his home, died as a result of this deceit, and ultimately ended up losing Creon’s respect by dying this dishonorable death. In this way, Creon’s reasoning for denying the burial of Polyneices was foreseeable.

Creon additionally talked about honoring his homeland above Polyneices. Even though Polyneices is his nephew,  Creon noted several times throughout Antigone that Polyneices turned his back on his homeland by attacking his brother. Creon mentioned this as he defended his law to the chorus leader, Koryphaios. Creon explained, “And he who cherishes an individual beyond his homeland, he, I say, is nothing.” (pg. 28). Creon believed that he would have been just as shameful as Polyneices if he were to honor Polyneices in burial instead of first thinking of his home. Additionally, Creon discussed that “Polyneices, the exile, who descended with fire to destroy his fatherland and family gods, to drink our blood and drive us off as slaves, will have no ritual, no mourners...” (pg. 28). Creon mentions “fatherland” in this quote, again referencing his clear patriotism and devotion to his kingdom.

Finally, Creon, as the leader of the kingdom and in an attempt to rule his people with authority, made it clear that if a man were to turn his back on his people in an act of treason as Polyneisis did, they would be rightfully punished.  Creon discussed how important it was to obey a ruler, saying, in regards to the state appointing him as ruler, “when she sets someone up, you must obey him in small matters, in just acts, and in both opposites. For my part, I am confident that a man willing to be ruled can himself rule well.” (pg. 47). Creon referred to both Antigone and Polyneices in this quote, as they both defied his orders; Polyneices committed the disloyal act of fighting against his own brother, and Antigone resisted Creon's law against burying Polyneices. Additionally, Creon discussed how important it was to be a leader, even if a ruler’s subjects may disagree with them. Creon explains, “Nothing is worse than lack of leadership. It destroys nations, drives men from their homes, smashes armies, makes allies defect. But when men are ruled right their obedience to authority saves their lives.” (pg. 48).

After looking at reasons why Creon was just in his decree to deny Polyneices a proper burial, such as Polyneices dying a shameful death, Creon’s desire to honor is kingdom, and finally Creon’s desire to prove to his state that he was a powerful leader, the reasons why Creon was unjust and wrong in his law preventing the burial can be looked at. The first reason why Creon’s actions could be seen as wrong was that he dishonored the gods, which was not an act to take lightly in this time period. A second reason was his arrogance related to his leadership.

Throughout Antigone, it is easy to recognize that obeying and listening to the gods’ commands were of much importance in the day-to-day lives of people during this time. Although devoted to the gods, Creon refused to question what the gods’ intentions were for the burial of Polyneices and insisted on his own law regarding Polyneices’s burial. Antigone describes this grievance after she was arrested for burying her brother as she questioned, “what divine and just law have I evaded?” (pg. 56). Additionally, after Creon asked if she had broken the law, Antigone confronts Creon, arguing that he had ignored the laws of the gods that had already been predesigned for the people on earth and decided to enforce the law that only he thought was right by saying, “Yes, because I did not believe that Zeus was the one who had proclaimed it; neither did Justice, or the gods of the dead whom Justice lives among. The laws they have made for men are well marked out.” (39). Finally, in a discussion with Creon, Teiresias, the prophet, advised Creon to “stop and consider. All mankind is subject to error.” (60). By Creon enforcing this law and looking past the advice of his subjects, such as his son, Creon showed that he believed he was just as elite as the gods themselves, which was an act that was blasphemous in this time period.

When Haimon talked to Creon about the unjust law that he had passed, Haimon explained to Creon that by Creon trying to show everyone how intelligent he was in terms of the law and state, and not showing remorse for refusing to bury his nephew or for arresting his niece, he was actually showing that he was in fact a weak and empty person. Haimon explained, “whenever a man supposes that he alone has intelligence or expression or feelings, he exposes himself and shows his emptiness.” (pg. 49). As Creon and Haimon continued their discussion, it was clear that Creon believed the country belonged purely to him. However, Haimon believed that although Creon was the ruler, he did not have the only say in which laws were right and just, especially when the subjects under his kingship believed that Antigone was innocent and that the burial of Polyneices was just. Creon explained, “it’s my job to rule this land. There is no one else.” (pg. 50). Haimon then interjected, saying, “No country belongs to one man.” (pg. 50).

To conclude, this essay has taken a look at why Creon was just in his decree to deny Polyneices a proper burial, as well as how Creon was unjust and wrong in his decree to deny Polyneices a proper burial. It was argued that the reasons why Creon was just included Polyneices dying a dishonorable death, Creon honoring his homeland, and Creon proving to his subjects that he was a powerful and capable leader. It was also argued that the reasons why Creon was unjust included his dishonoring of the gods, as well as his arrogance related to his leadership.