Antigone

(以前写的一个片段，有关Sophocles的剧作Antigone。)

When Creon is certain that no one will see Antigone’s arrest after sending the guards out, he confronts Antigone.

In the beginning, Creon simply suggests Antigone to return to her room and pretend nothing happened. Antigone warns him that she will bury her brother again that night. Creon realizes that he is not conversing with a naïve girl, instead, he is facing Oedipus’s headstrong daughter. He asks her why she insist burying Polynices – a rebel and a traitor. Antigone states that her brother deserves eternal rest, furthermore, she is fully aware that she will die by going against the edict.

Creon attempts to understand the purpose of Antigone’s action. He wonders whether being Oedipus’s daughter gives her the privilege to put her individual well-being above the law, Antigone denies this. From her calmness, Creon senses the pride of Oedipus.

Creon tries to let her know that, as a king, he has to introduce a social order into this absurd kingdom. But for Thebes’ sake, he would rather offer her a chance to be his daughter-in-law instead of death. Antigone persists in her decision.

Marriage cannot make Antigone change her mind. Creon suggests that maybe the religious burial belief misguided her. Antigone clearly states that she does it for herself. Her uncle can neither save her nor stop her. In fear of losing her, the king grips her arm tightly and reveals to her that his command of not burying his brother is simply politics, and he does not want her to be the victim of politics. As king, he has no choice but to carry out his duty. He is trapped by social order just like Antigone is trapped by her will.

Antigone points out that Creon is putting her to death unconsciously despite appearing to save her, just like how he lets her brother remain unburied even though he says that he does not want it to happen. She is here, not to understand his righteousness, but simply to say no to him and choose death.

Creon makes his last appeal to clarify what they are both doing. He tells the story of his two brothers, who tormented their sisters, made their mother unhappy, and hurt their father. Not only that, they attempted to murder Oedipus and offered to sell Thebes to the highest bidder. Eteocles, who was given a hero’s funeral, is the one who plotted with Polynices to kill their father. It was random who he chose for a state funeral and who to rot in the open, all politics, nothing more.

Seeing Antigone soften, Creon suggests she find his son and marry him as soon as possible. She can have a happy life and forget being the heroine other people expects, after all, happiness is essential for human life.

Antigone was not swayed, on the contrary, she wants to choose the life of justice. Creon desperately asks her does she love Haemon, Antigone admits that she will love the Haemon who could understand her.

From their conversation, it is clear that the prideful Antigone and the stubborn Creon cannot reach a compromise, both are trapped by their faith and the law respectively.