King Creon’s decree is that Eteocles will have a full military burial for defending Thebes with his life. Polynices however, because of his dishonor towards Thebes will have his body left unburied above ground, to be eaten by scavengers and wild beasts.

Analysis. The opening events of the play quickly establish the central conflict. Creon has decreed that the traitor Polynices must not be given proper burial, and Antigone is the only one who will speak against this decree and insist on the sacredness of family.

Creon refused to bury Polyneices because Polyneices started a war with his native city, Thebes after he was exiled to spill blood and sell his people into slavery. Creon thinks that the only punishment acceptable for this deed is to leave Polyneices unburied.

What reason does Creon give for his ruling concerning the bodies of Polyneices and Eteocles? He says that Polyneices is a traitor and Eteocles was a hero. How does the Chorus react? The Guard is an ordinary person, even somewhat humorous.

Haemon

Brief Summary Antigone’s uncle, Creon, declares that Eteocles will be buried with honor, but that Polyneices’ body will be left for the dogs. Despite her uncle’s decree, Antigone buries Polyneices and is sentenced by Creon to be buried alive.

“Sophocles has Antigone successfully perform and escape from the first burial because her doing so is necessary to occasion the subsequent scene with Creon and the guard; and that Antigone,then,must perform a second burial in order to provide an occasion for her capture.”

In Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone, Polynices’ story continues after his death. King Creon, who ascended to the throne of Thebes, decreed that Polynices was not to be buried or even mourned, on pain of death by stoning.

Describe what Creon saw when he looked through the crevice into Antigone’s tomb. Creon saw Haimon weeping over Antigone’s dead body. She had hanged herself with her own veil. Haimon was holding her body close to him and crying that “his father had stolen her away from him”.