Antigone and Creon Compare and Contrast

In "Antigone" by Sophocles, Creon and Antigone have many differences and one thing in common which is pride. What Creon and Antigone have going on makes the whole thing turn into a tragedy.

Antigone and Creon have many differences , Antigone is loyal to her family and to the gods.  Creon is faithful to his state. Antigone is loyal to her family and gods. When Antigone says "He is my brother and he is your brother too" (prologue. 34). This shows that family comes first than any stupid law. She is determined to bury Polyneices   Because he is Family. She is also loyal to the gods, when she is talking to Ismene, she tells her how the gods law says everyone needs a proper burial For the dead. If that's the gods law she is going to obey it, because she has respect for them. Creon on the other hand is loyal to the state because he's going to obey his law. When Creon says "He made war on his country. Eteocles defended it" (2. 128).  This shows Creon is being just because he is defending his own country. He can't bury Polyneices because he is a traitor to his state. As you can see Antigone and Creon have many  differences.


Antigone and Creon have one similarity , they both have pride. That's the downfall of this tragedy. Antigone has pride when she is willing to bury Polyneices  no matter what his law says. Antigone says "Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way" (prologue. 36). This shows arrogance, she doesn't care about the punishment Creon might give her. She is going to bury Polyneices no matter what. When she is talking to Creon and he asks her if she"s guilty she says " I do. I deny nothing." (2. 59). She is telling Creon that she's proud of doing it. Creon is also similar to to Antigone  because he to has pride. He is determined to sentence Antigone to death because he disobeyed his law. Creon says "My voice is the only voice giving orders in this city" (3. 108). He's showing he's the boss and doesn't  care about the gods law, because only he can give orders. When he is talking to Antigone he tells her that her death is enough. he is showing her what happens if you go against him.

In the end Creon and Antigone's pride and differences wee the result of the tragedy. Antigone should have obeyed Creon's law and  He Should have buried Polyneices . It could have made a difference in the end.