Accused of folly by a fool!

What I have found most interesting about this play, or at least what has bothered me because I felt that the topic hasn’t been explored enough, is the comparisons being made between Creon and Antigone.

On line 527 the Leader explains that Antigone “hasn’t learned to bend before adversity”, similarly Haemon simply yet sternly warns Creon “Bend or break.” line 800, when urging his father not to punish Antigone.

Both Creon and Antigone defy their trusted confidants who tell them not to go through with their actions. For Creon it is Tiresias and for Antigone it is Ismene.

In lines 523 – 524 Antigone even proclaims “I’ve been accused of folly by a fool”.
This brings me to my point. Both Creon and Antigone are “fools”. Creon leads unwisely and in accordance with his own personal tyrannical agenda instead of in the interest of Thebes. Antigone risks her life just to burry Polynices.

After reading this play I couldn’t help but notice the strange similarities between its two opposing characters. I wonder if the point of the story is to show that foolishness can be disguised.

Almost all readers of Antigone are quick to determine who is right. Who is acting foolishly? Antigone or Creon? But maybe this isn’t the appropriate response.
Perhaps Sophocles is saying foolishness is in they eye of the beholder. For readers who find Antigone brave and admirable, Creon is the foolish one. But for those who think it ridiculous to risk your life just to burry a brother, Antigone becomes the fool. Sophocles plays with the notion of foolery. Suggesting that, like many things in life, society dictates what is foolish, however in this case the society is pretty divided.

Why then, does Antigone die and Creon live? I have no idea! Just kidding!!!

I believe if readers judge Antigone to be a hero and not a fool her death can be viewed as martyrdom. However, Antigone and Creon are both example of the consequences of foolishness. In Antigone’s case her foolishness leads to her death, and in Creon’s case Sophocles points out that though you may not personally be affected, those close to you can be.

Another point to consider may be the contrast between foolishness in the hands of the powerful and those not in power.

Have you ever heard the quote “poor people are crazy, and rich people are eccentric.” Well now you have! Basically people’s behavior is viewed differently depending upon the power they yield. In the case of Antigone, while Creon’s foolishness does result in the death of his family, he is not personally affected as compared to the less powerful Antigone, who kills herself at the end of the story.