The Price of Being Right

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Nyquan McCombs

Professors Beckwith/Paffenroth

October 5, 2016

English 203A

                                      The Price of Being Right

Antigone

       Ismene, my own sister, sharing the self same blood, of all evils that descend

        from Oedipus do you know one that Zeus does not fulfill for us the two still

        living?  There is nothing-no-no grief, no doom, dishonor or disgrace that I've

        seen counted among the evils that are yours and mine.Now this! What is this

        proclamation that they say the geneal has made to all of the city's people?

        Have you heard anything?  Or are you unaware that evils due to enemies

        approach aour friends?

The opposing opinions between the main characters cause a downward spiral that ends in

loss for all involved.  Antigone and her sister Ismene are the last chldren of the late King

Oedipus.  Their brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices , who had been in an ongoing battle for

 control of Thebes, have been killed.  King Creon denied Polyneices a proper burial because

he was an enemy of the state.  The king is standing firm on his edict as he want all to know

he is a powerful ruler.  Knowing that she is defying Creon's command, Antigone  is

determined to ignore the proclamation that leaves Polyneices  unburied, unwept and

treasure sweet for the birds to feed on at their pleasure.(30)  Did Antigone take the right

action? Was it wrong to go against her uncle, the king who helped raise her? There are often

situations in life that arise where ethics should play a major role in any decision made.

Some of the elements that impact a decision are religious faith, family values, personal

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experience and the personality of the person making the decision.  All of these factors

played a part in Antigone's decision to defy the king.  She was obedient to the gods, had a

moral code instilled since birth and was stubborn. Antigone does what she has vowed to do.

She buries her brother in full view of the guards and is brought to the palace to face the  

king.  Antigone and Creon have distinct and conflicting views on right and wrong.  Creon's

regard for the laws of Thebes causes him to ignore all other beliefs.  Antigone, on the other

hand, believes the laws of the gods must be obeyed above all others most importantly when

family is involved. Her hubris is clearly in evidence when her sister, Ismene, who once

refused to assist her, attempts to side with her. Antigone tells Ismene, “Don't try to share

this death with me.  Don't claim as yours a deed you did not touch. My own death will

suffice.” (550)  Antigone demonstrates no remorse for her disobedience and seems proud of

her defiance.  Haemon, the king's son and Antigone's fiancé arrives at the palace having

heard the rumblings among the people regarding Antigone. Creon shows concern for his son

son's opinion when he asks if Haemon is still his friend after hearing of the vote against his

bride to be? Haemon initially supports his father’s judgements and calls him a good guide bu                                

but as the conversation continues he declares he has not the knowledge to say King Creon is

not right in his actions and goes on to say he hears what is being said and punishing

Antigone will not be accepted by the populace.  Creon decides to put his niece in a walled