The Thebes Times

Antigone’s Family Life

After Oedipus left Thebes and Creon took over his position as King of Thebes, there was a fight between his two sons for the throne of Thebes. Eteocles fought on Thebes side; but Polyneices, fought against his brother and his family, betraying them. Creon found his role as a King so much more important than his role of a father in a royal family, making a proclamation which said that Polyneices was to be left out to spend the rest of his spiritual unburied life. This punishment was the worst in Greece. Creon used it to show that when you are very close to him and you betray him, you suffer all types of punishments, it was used to leave Polyneices all alone with no dignity. Creon said: "Polyneices, he who came from exile breathing fire against this city of his fathers and it's shrines; The man who came all thirsting for his country's blood to drag the rest of us away as slaves– I've sent the edict out". Polyneices wanted to be the King so badly that he would do anything to get it, including betrayal.Oedipus’s daughter, Antigone loved her brothers, she wanted them both to die with dignity. She knew that what Creon was doing was wrong, she said: "Our two dear brothers: Creon is burying one to desecrate the other.” Antigone was so strong with her mighty beliefs of family that she went against Creon's edict and buried her brother Polyneices. If Antigone really believed that authority was the highest, respectable thing she never would've broken the law/edict. Antigone thought that family was the highest, respectable thing and that's why she did what she did, that's why Antigone went against the edict.

Eteocles fought with Creon to defend the throne. Creon said: "Eteocles, who died in arms for Thebes shall have a glorious funeral as befits a hero going to join the noble dead." Eteocles believed in everything that Creon believed; he believed in family and royalty and all the aspects that came with being in a royal family. Eteocles, because he was so loyal, was to be buried and remembered. To Eteocles family was just as important as authority but, was a lot more personal than authority was.

Authority and family conflicted with each other throughout Antigone’s life. If there was an overall standing of what each character thought was more important, family would be "first." Antigone showed that betrayal and death are terrible but, if you turn to your family you will always have someone there for you.