Creon And Achilles

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most closely parallels that of Priam. To most objectively compare their characters, it is important that the situations we see them responding to are as similar as possible. In Antigone, the battle is over and all that remains are the remains of those fallen in battle. We have very little knowledge of how Creon behaved during the battle, and therefore should not overemphasize the detailed account of Achilles actions during battle that is supplied in earlier books of The Iliad. Creon initially exposes his rage and vengeance with the decree that Eteocles will be buried and Polynices will not. Creon says this of Polynices “No, he must be left unburied, his corpse/ carrion for birds and dogs to tear/ an obscenity for the citizens to behold!” (231). A similar rage can be found in Achilles treatment of the body of Hector. Not only did Achilles deny the body a proper burial, but he dragged the dead body around tied to his chariot (XXIV-18). Later examples of rage are more plentiful ...

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Antigone and The Iliad are obviously not exceptions. It is a fair to assume that both Achilles and Creon were defying the Gods by their refusal to bury the fallen warriors. In The Iliad, there is actually a scene where we hear the God’s dissatisfaction with the state of Hector’s corpse. Apollo calls on the other God’s to pity Hector and his family. He asks whether Hector has reverently made rich sacrifices to the God’s and criticizes the cruelty that Achilles practices on Hector’s corpse (XXIV-39). Also in support of Hector’s right to burial is Zeus, who decrees that Priam shall pay a ransom, and Achilles shall hand over Hector’s body (XXIV-93). The God’s don’t approve of ...

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