Monday, November 17, 2008

Creon: The Cause of Suicides

Yesterday, after much dispute, Creon buried Polyneices. It wasn't until after the gods had spoken to him through the blind prophet, Tiresias, that Creon realized what horrible things he had done to the people of Thebes. Creon's actions were the cause of three suicides: Antigone, Eurydice, and even Haemon, his own son.


Ismene and Antigone wanted to give their dead brother, Polyneices, a proper burial. Creon, however, insisted that Polynieces was a disgrace and that his body should be left on the battlefield to be eaten by animals. Antigone has the bravery to defy him. Creon banishes her to a cave and instead of living through the horridity, Antigone hangs herself.


As Tiresias declared, Creon loses his son Haemon. Haemon decides to take his own life once he hears of the death of his fiance, Antigone. Eurydice, Creons wife, kills herself once the messenger god informs her that Haemon and his bethrothed Antigone have taken their own lives. The origins of Antigone, Eurydice, and Haemon can all be traced back to Creon. Creon continues to reign the kindgom, and his punishment brings wisdom and insight.

2 comments:

L. M. Peifer said...

Hey Ellen, This is a well-written post, but the newspaper article is supposed to be written after what we read today. It looks like you are very familiar with the play, but not everyone is so I don't want to spoil it for them.

Jake W said...

haha nerddd