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why does antigone want to bury polyneices

by Lenny Terry Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Why Did Antigone Bury Polyneices? Antigone buried her brother out of devotion and loyalty to both the Gods and her family. Without one or the other, she would not have had the courage or thought of going against Creon's law and putting her life out on the line.Apr 13, 2022

Why does Ismene refuse to help Antigone?

Ismene refuses to help Antigone, because she does not want to break the law by going against Creon or other because she realizes the consequences would be extreme since she is a woman. Why does Creon accuse Ismene? Creon accuses Ismene of breaking the law that she could not bury her brother even though she did not do it.

Why does Creon refuse to pardon Antigone?

what is the main cause of Creon's refusal to pardon Antigone? wants to show city he is in charge. what does Haimon say to his father before leaving him? Creon will never see his grace again. In Scene 4, who does Antigone blame her untimely death on? the union of Oedipus and his mother.

Who in 'Antigone' is condemned to death for burying Polynices?

Their successor, Creon, decides that King Eteocles will be buried, but Polyneices, because he was leading a foreign army, will be left on the field of battle. Antigone, his sister, buries him anyway. Antigone is caught burying Polyneices and is condemned to death.

Why is Antigone angry with Ismene?

Why is Antigone angry with Ismene? Ismene wants to share in Antigone's guilt and punishment for burying Polyneices, yet she had refused to help her sister bury her brother. Ismene also wants to be punished for not telling Creon of Antigone's plan and is thus stealing Antigone's "thunder" in dying for her brother and being a martyr.

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Why did Antigone want to bury Polynices?

Antigone 's primary reason for wanting to bury Polynices is that it's in accordance with divine law. Once someone dies, their body isn't supposed to be just left to rot out in the streets; they must be buried according to the appropriate funeral rites.

Why is Antigone determined to give Polyneices a proper burial?

Antigone is loyal to her family and the gods above all , which is why she is determined to give Polyneices a proper burial. Antigone knows that if she doesn’t step up to do it, no one will.

What is the epic showdown between Creon and Antigone?

This epic showdown between Creon and Antigone is between rival conceptions of law: human law, as represented by Creon; and divine law, as represented by Antigone. In this massive battle of wills, Antigone knows what's at stake, whereas Creon,... (The entire section contains 5 answers and 1120 words.)

What is the difference between Antigone and Creon?

In this massive battle of wills, Antigone knows what's at stake, whereas Creon, blinded by hubris, cannot see the bigger picture until it's too late . Unlike Antigone, Creon hasn't realized that, like everything else in Ancient Greek society concerning matters of life and death, it all comes down to the will of the gods. And failure to realize this will bring serious consequences for Creon.

Why is Antigone cursed?

Antigone, knowing she is cursed anyway and feeling a little guilty about not making it to Thebes in time to intervene before both of her brothers are killed, feels responsible for Polyneices’s post-mortem fate.

Did Antigone perform funeral rites?

We should also remember that mourning the dead, performing funeral rites, was the province of the women in ancient Greece ( and in many other cultures, both in the past and present). Antigone, as a woman, therefore would feel a greater obligation to perform the last rites for her brother, and she is scornful of her sister Ismene for refusing to do the same.

What is the theme of Antigone?

Antigone asserts that citizens are allowed to break State laws which are contrary to the natural order or which prevent from honoring the Gods. This analysis is very close to the modern concept of civil disobedience.

What is Antigone set in?

Antigone, like Oedipus the King, is set in that disaster-prone city-state known as Thebes. And what happens in Thebes does not stay in Thebes.

Why is the tragedy finise of Euripides written?

That is one of the reasons why the Tragedy Finise (ΦΟΙΝΙΣΣΑΙ) of Euripides is written. Namely to show how main was to burry Polynices what the matter.

Why did Polyneices and Eteocles die?

Polyneices and Eteocles, sons of Oedipus, late king of Thebes, died fighting each other for the rule of the city. Creon, their mother's brother succeeds to the throne and declares that Eteocles is to be buried as a hero, a defender of the city, but that Polyneices is to be left unburied for the birds and beasts to devour. This is a major violation of ancient Greek ethics. One is supposed to honor the dead, even a dead enemy, as Achilles learned in The Iliad.

How to honor the dead?

In this case, you honor the deceased by giving him a proper burial. If Creon got his way, Polyneices’ corpse would have been left to become carrion for birds and dogs. Instead of honoring him, Creon was insulting him.

What is Kreon's major concern?

Kreon’s major concern is that he has defied the will of the gods. That he has wrongfully imprisoned Antigone is of lesser immediate concern.

Why is Polyneices' body not buried?

After their death, Creon, brother of Jocasta, ascended to the throne of Thebes and he decreed that Polyneices' corpse was not to be buried or even mourned because he betrayed his own country. Leaving someone unburied was considered as the ultimate disgrace.

What is Antigone's main concern?

Antigone’s main concern is to perform the burial rites and bury her brother Polyneices. Creon had declared that Polyneices was a traitor and therefore should not be buried. Antigone insists that Polyneices should be buried claiming that Polyneices was her brother and she loved him. After the 50 th line, Antigone says, “At least he is my brother.” Antigone also tells Ismene that her time to please the dead is longer than that she must please the living (85). Antigone does not want to deny Polyneices as her brother as Ismene does. Antigone does not want to dishonor what the gods have honored (85). Antigone claims that it is not for Creon to keep her loved (Polyneices) from her.

Who is Antigone's sister?

Antigone is Oedipus’ daughter. Oedipus was exiled from Thebes. Eteocles and Polyneices are Antigone’s brothers, and Ismene is Antigone’s younger sister. Oedipus sat on the throne before being banished leaving Creon to take over the throne as Oedipus sons are too young to take over the throne. Eteocles took over the throne and exiled Polyneices who in turn organized an army to overthrow Eteocles. Eteocles and Polyneices fought each other and eventually killed each other. This makes Creon take over the throne once more. Creon declares that Eteocles should be buried with honor, but Polyneices should not be buried for being a disgrace and a traitor. This essay brings to light Antigone’s concerns to perform Polyneices burial rites and her bravery in doing so.

What does Antigone believe about Polyneices?

Finally, Antigone believed that Polyneices deserved a proper burial just like Creon had done to their other brother, Eteocles.

Why did Antigone want to bury her brother?

First, the law of the gods demanded that the dead would be buried or properly burned for them to go well into the underworld. After disagreeing with Ismene, Antigone notes that her sister does not appreciate the law of the gods. Second, her love for the dead brother, Polyneices, moved Antigone to want to bury him well. Finally, Antigone believed that Polyneices deserved a proper burial just like Creon had done to their other brother, Eteocles. On the contrary, Ismene was not determined to bury their brother because she was submissive to the laws created by the leaders. …show more content…

What is Creon expected to do after the death of Polyneices and Eteocles?

At this point, Creon is expected to be a dictatorial ruler, who will not embrace the contributions of the civilians.

Why did Creon lock Antigone in a stone room?

Creon causes Polyneices burial to be forbidden, sentences Antigone to death, and locks Antigone in a stone room because his motives were to be a fair and unbiased ruler.

Why did Creon forbid Polynecies burial?

Because Polynecies had previously been exiled and then attacked Thebes, Creon had every right to forbid Polynecies burial. Unknown to Creon, Antigone buries her brother Polyneices. A nervous sentry tells King Creon the entire story of how he found Polyneices body covered with a... Read More. 515 Words 3 Pages.

Why did Ismene not bury Eteocles?

On the contrary, Ismene was not determined to bury their brother because she was submissive to the laws created by the leaders.... For example, he insists that Eteocles does not deserve to be buried, and from that command expects total obedience from Choragos and the rest.

What is Antigone Analysis?

Antigone Analysis Antigone is a strong willed woman that defies her uncle's orders and buries her dead brother Polyneices, who fought against Thebes in the civil war. She goes and buries her brother, and performs the rituals of the dead.

Why is Antigone a tragedy?

But both did what they thought was right and necessary. The play is a tragedy precisely because there’s no good guy or bad guy.

Why does Antigone disregard Creon?

Since she is sister to both dead men, Antigone disregards the command of Creon, decid. Because she sees it as her duty as a sister to do so. Polyneices and Eteocles, sons of Oedipus, late king of Thebes, died fighting each other for the rule of the city.

Why is the tragedy Finise written?

Namely to show how main was to burry Polynices what the matter.

Where did Polyneices leave Thebes?

However, after the first year of Eteocles governing, Eteocles refused to cede the throne to Polyneices. So Polyneices left Thebes, went to Argos , where he married the daughter of King Adrastus and enlisted his help in attacking Thebes.

How to honor the dead?

In this case, you honor the deceased by giving him a proper burial. If Creon got his way, Polyneices’ corpse would have been left to become carrion for birds and dogs. Instead of honoring him, Creon was insulting him.

What is Creon's tragic flaw?

If Creon has a tragic flaw (or tragic mistake, as I prefer to think of it), it 's his stubbornness, born out of his fear of being seen as unfit to rule. Tragedy is a failure of expectations. Creon falls short of his own ideal image of himself, and in the process dooms himself and his family. Related Answer.

What is Kreon's major concern?

Kreon’s major concern is that he has defied the will of the gods. That he has wrongfully imprisoned Antigone is of lesser immediate concern.

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1.Why does Antigone want to bury Polyneices? - eNotes.com

Url:https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-does-antigone-want-to-bury-polyneices-2726208

20 hours ago Antigone wants to bury her brother Polynices because that is what the law of the gods decrees. She puts moral law and the dictates of her conscience ahead of the secular law of her uncle.

2.Why does Antigone feel it is her duty to bury Polynices?

Url:https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/why-does-antigone-feel-her-duty-bury-polyneices-297990

18 hours ago Antigone at times also intimates that she is so determined to bury Polynices because it is an offence against the gods, against morality, to leave any corpse unburied. 'Death longs for the …

3.Why does Antigone bury Polyneices in 'Antigone'? - Quora

Url:https://www.quora.com/Why-does-Antigone-bury-Polyneices-in-Antigone

22 hours ago Answer (1 of 2): Because she sees it as her duty as a sister to do so. Polyneices and Eteocles, sons of Oedipus, late king of Thebes, died fighting each other for the rule of the city. Creon, …

4.Antigone’s Concern about Polyneices Burial - Academic …

Url:https://academic-master.com/antigones-concern-about-polyneices-burial/

34 hours ago Why does Antigone want to bury Polyneices? Antigone’s primary motivation for burying Polynices is that it is done in accordance with divine law. When someone dies, their body is not supposed …

5.Antigone So Determined To Bury Her Brother Analysis

Url:https://www.studymode.com/essays/Antigone-So-Determined-To-Bury-Her-Brother-85819020.html

14 hours ago  · Creon punishes Antigone to death. Why does Antigone feel it is her duty to bury Polyneices? Antigone feels that it is her duty to bury Polyneices because he is her brother, and …

6.Why does Creon refuse Polyneices' burial in the play …

Url:https://www.quora.com/Why-does-Creon-refuse-Polyneices-burial-in-the-play-Antigone

2 hours ago  · Antigone’s main concern is to perform the burial rites and bury her brother Polyneices. Creon had declared that Polyneices was a traitor and therefore should not be …

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