Ancient Greek Tragedies Passion vs. Prudence - 959 Words

Greek tragedies often teach readers several valuable lessons, one of which is the catastrophe caused by acting on emotions. Both Oedipus and Antigone experience this as a result of their rash behavior. Even Creon ends up miserable in Antigone due to the change in his behavior. By acting on their emotions, these characters all experience tragic downfalls, while others, such as Ismene and Creon during Oedipus Rex, remain safe due to their prudence and indications of wisdom. Due to the actions she took based on her emotions, Antigone suffered a far worse fate than Ismene. During her conversation with Ismene, Antigone says: â€Å"Ismene, I am going to bury him† (Sophocles, 3). To this Ismene replies with: â€Å"Bury him! You have just said the new law†¦show more content†¦This clearly shows Creon to currently have a better head on his shoulders than Oedipus. Even the Chorus says, â€Å"His words are wise, king, if one fears to fall. Those who are quick of temper are not safe† (Sophocles, 10). Creon’s wisdom pays off in the end. Oedipus’ actions lead to his own tragic downfall, the banishment from Thebes and his blindness. His actions also result in the death of Jocasta. As the Chorus says, â€Å"Creon is left as sole ruler in your stead† (Sophocles, 21). Creon clearly ends up better off than Oedipus, however, his power soon goes to his head and his life takes an unfortunate turn in Antigone. When we first meet Creon in Antigone, he has made the proclamation that â€Å"Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country, is to be buried with full military honors with all the ceremony that is usual when the greatest heroes die; but his brother Polyneices, who broke his exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city and the shrines of his fathers’ gods, [†¦] Polyneices, I say, is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain, un buried; and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like† (Sophocles, 7-8). Creon obviously whole-heartedly believes that what he is doing is right. When the Sentry comes to Creon with the news that someone has tried to bury Polyneices, Creon becomes enraged and demands that the guilty person be brought to him. He even