Antigone

One issue that came to mind after reading this story was whether or not Creon should be considered a good leader. Obviously, he gives off the impression that he means business when it comes to being loyal to Thebes. His first action we see deals with the punishment of Polynices after his death while fighting his brother for the throne. Instead of allowing him a proper burial, Creon declares that Polynices is not to be touched and his body must lie in the sun and rot. While this may not seem like a huge deal to us (although it still is a disturbing situation), not having a funeral for a deceased family member was one of the worst punishments imaginable considering the fact that an individuals future in the afterlife depended on the quality of his burial. While it may seem cruel of Creon to issue such a punishment, I think it in fact shows a sense of patriotism for his country. Before engaging his brother in combat, Polynices had gathered foreigners to help him take the throne, an act that condemned him a traitor in Creon's eyes. The next thing Creon does is declare that anyone who takes part in burying Polynices is to be killed as well. When Antigone, his son's future bride, attempts to bury her brother, Creon makes no exception to this rule, and at hearing the story declares that she must die. Don't get me wrong here: I think it's a little extreme that Creon is wanting his future daughter-in-law dead just because she tried to give her brother a proper funeral. Whatever weakness this shows in him (his uncontrollable anger), Creon's commitment to his country is only made greater. All this to say, it's hard to say whether or not Creon is the kind of ruler i would like to live under...While he is committed to doing what's best for his country, i'm not so sure he knows how to do what's best for his people. What do you guys think??