Theme of loyalty to family and traditions is illuminated in a tragedy Antigone written by Sophocles. The woes and misfortune of Oedipus`s family line are passed to his children now, thus been born in misery Antigone and Ismene face another calamity. Their brothers Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other in a battle against the Argive army who tried to assault Thebes. Furthermore, by Creon Polyneices is declared to be a traitor; therefore he cannot be buried with military honors and is left in fields for vultures and dogs unlike his brother Eteocles who had a soldier's funeral. Everyone in Thebes sees injustice in Creon`s decision but the only one who dares to break ruler`s will is Antigone. It should be mentioned that this play is extremely complex and deep due to its literary elements like setting, irony and characters. These elements support idea of Antigone`s fidelity to her family duties and traditions despite any laws or authority orders.
Central idea of loyalty to family values and traditions is supported by play`s setting. Thus this play takes place in Thebes portraying life and traditions of ancient Greeks. Through characters` dialogues reader finds out more about Greek culture in terms of its social structure, religious believes and gender roles. Thus, Antigone`s disobedience and reasonable arguments that there are unwritten divine laws that are of more importance than Creon`s orders do not justify her, on the contrary they make Creon more stubborn. Her gender causes her more trouble than her deed, for instance Creon states that he cannot forgive someone who disobeyed State especially he cannot yield to a woman. This stubbornness is determined by society`s treatment of women, as inferior creatures who are to obey men no matter what.
Moreover, almost all characters in Antigone support and justify her deed but Creon who is blinded by power and ultimate authority that he seemed to have. Antigone`s bold action provoked him to punish her in the most savage way thus reestablishing his authority and power because he is the State. Moreover, it should be mentioned that even Creon understands Antigone which can be seen in his talk and relationship with his son and Antigone`s fiancé Haemon. For example, he states that “Whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed--Must be obeyed, in all things, great and small, Just and unjust!” which indicates that he is aware that his decision is unfair. (Sophocles, 19) Moreover, his blind and fierce rejection of all arguments in favor of Antigone illuminates his unwillingness to admit his injustice and yield to inferior person. However, king of Thebes is not deprived from having family values which is evident in his desire to see his son happy and powerful ruler who is independent and does not yield to any hellcats. Also, Creon shows loyalty to law and his State thus establishing himself almost on the same level with gods because he is Sate and everyone must obey him and be in order.
This desire to keep everything under control illuminates irony of this play. For example, Creon`s refusal to understand Antigone’s loyalty to her family and her grief has turned against him because he not only lost his own family but also called down the wrath of gods. His obsession with control and power led his state not to prosperity but to disaster. Death of Creon`s family shows that there are things that are more important and stronger than obeying some king or the State. His attempt to keep everything in order has turned into total chaos.
All things considered this play presents importance of being loyal to those who you love. Moreover, Antigone`s and later Ismene`s deeds showed that family values cannot be taken for granted or simply ignored because sharing one state or country is one thing but sharing one blood is another. Family bound is deeper and tighter and cannot be reduced or increased by any law. Personally I agree that family values and loyalty are more important than obeying someone with authority because everything starts and ends with family. These are people that share a lot more than the same blood with you. This play shows and teaches that there are more powerful things than the State or king. To my mind this play has a lot of values not only for me but for the rest of readers. Everyone will find someone for his or her because this play states relevant even nowadays in terms of illuminating notions of loyalty and family.
References
Sophocles,. ANTIGONE. 1st ed. 2011. Web. 2 May 2016.
