In the ancient Greek tragedy, Antigone, written by Sophocles, the theme of burial and honoring the dead plays a significant role. One of the central conflicts revolves around the burial of Antigone’s two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, who died fighting against each other in a battle for the throne of Thebes.
Eteocles, the older brother, is given a proper burial and honored as a hero by their uncle, King Creon. However, Creon decrees that Polyneices, the younger brother, is to remain unburied and left to rot on the battlefield. Creon considers Polyneices a traitor for attacking his own city, Thebes, and believes that he should not be given the same respect as his brother.
Polyneices’ decision to wage war against Thebes stemmed from his desire to claim the throne for himself. He believed that he was the rightful heir and that his brother Eteocles was unjustly ruling. However, instead of using the army of Thebes to attack his brother, Polyneices raised his own army and waged war against his own city. This act of treason and betrayal is what ultimately leads to his exclusion from a proper burial.
Despite her uncle’s decree, Antigone, who is both sister and betrothed to Polyneices, decides to defy the law and give her brother a proper burial. She believes that it is her duty as his sister to honor him and give him the respect he deserves, regardless of his actions. Antigone sneaks out at night and buries Polyneices, pouring dirt over his body as a symbolic act of honoring him.
However, her actions are discovered by the sentries who were assigned to guard the body. They remove the soil covering Polyneices’ body, thus leaving him unburied once again. Antigone is eventually caught and brought before Creon, who sentences her to be buried alive as punishment for her defiance.
The burial of Polyneices becomes a symbol of the clash between divine law and human law in the play. Antigone believes in the higher law of the gods and feels compelled to honor her brother, even if it means going against the decree of her uncle, who represents the earthly authority. The conflict between Antigone and Creon highlights the tension between individual conscience and the laws of the state.
It is Polyneices, Antigone’s younger brother, who remains unburied in the tragedy Antigone. His decision to attack his own city and wage war against his brother Eteocles led to his exclusion from a proper burial. Antigone’s defiance of Creon’s decree and her act of burying her brother become central to the play, highlighting the conflict between divine and human law.
Who Wasnt Buried In Antigone?
In the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, there is a character who is not buried. This character is Polyneices, the brother of Antigone. Polyneices fought against his own city, Thebes, and was considered a traitor by his uncle, King Creon. As a result, Creon decreed that Polyneices should not receive a proper burial.
However, Antigone defies Creon’s decree and decides to bury her brother despite the consequences. She believes that it is her duty to honor her family and the gods by giving Polyneices a proper burial. Antigone’s actions lead to her arrest and ultimately to her tragic fate.
It is important to note that although Polyneices is not buried in the play, his sister Antigone’s actions highlight the significance of burial rituals and family loyalty in ancient Greek culture.
Which Of Antigone Brothers Was To Remain Unburied?
In the tragedy “Antigone” by Sophocles, it is revealed that Polynices, one of Antigone’s brothers, is the one who is decreed to remain unburied by Creon, the ruler of Thebes. Polynices and his brother Eteocles engaged in a bitter struggle for the throne of Thebes. This power struggle ultimately led to a deadly battle between the two brothers, resulting in their mutual demise. Following their deaths, Creon, as the new king, issues a decree that Eteocles will be honored with a proper burial, while Polynices’ body is to be left unburied as a punishment for his perceived betrayal and rebellion against Thebes.
Why Was Polyneices Not Buried?
Polyneices was not buried because Creon, the ruler of Thebes, considered him a traitor. Polyneices had attacked his own brother, Eteocles, in an attempt to take the throne for himself. However, it is worth noting that Polyneices did not use the army of Thebes to attack his brother. Despite this, Creon still viewed him as a traitor and refused to grant him a proper burial. In ancient Greek society, a proper burial was considered essential for the deceased to find peace in the afterlife. By denying Polyneices a burial, Creon intended to further punish him and send a message to others who might think of betraying Thebes.
Does Polyneices Get Buried?
Polyneices does get buried in the play Antigone. However, his burial is not a straightforward process and is interrupted by the sentries who discover what Antigone has done.
Here is a detailed explanation of the burial of Polyneices in Antigone:
1. Antigone’s Burial: After learning of her uncle Creon’s decree that forbids the burial of her brother Polyneices, Antigone decides to defy the law and bury her brother. She believes in the importance of proper burial rites and wants to honor her family. Antigone secretly buries Polyneices, covering his body with soil to give him a proper burial.
2. Discovery by the Sentries: The sentries, who are assigned to watch over the body and ensure that no one buries Polyneices, notice the disturbed soil around the grave. They investigate and find that Antigone has buried the body against Creon’s decree.
3. Uncovering the Body: The sentries remove the soil that Antigone had used to cover Polyneices’ body, thus exposing it again. They report their findings to Creon, who is furious that someone has defied his decree.
4. Consequences: As a result of her actions, Antigone is brought before Creon and faces punishment for her disobedience. This leads to a series of tragic events in the play.
Polyneices does get buried by his sister Antigone, but the sentries discover what she has done and remove the soil covering his body, exposing it once again. This sets off a chain of events that form a major part of the plot in the play Antigone.
Conclusion
The character of Polynices in the play Antigone is portrayed as a complex and conflicted individual. Despite his actions of attacking his own brother, Eteocles, in order to claim the throne of Thebes, Polynices is ultimately portrayed as a tragic figure. His decision to wage war against his own family leads to his untimely demise and his body being left unburied by the decree of his uncle, Creon.
Polynices’ actions may be seen as an act of desperation, driven by his desire for power and the throne. However, his decision to go against his own family and betray his brother ultimately leads to his downfall. This conflict between familial loyalty and personal ambition is a central theme in the play, highlighting the tragic consequences of such choices.
Despite his questionable actions, Polynices’ character is not entirely devoid of sympathy. His sister, Antigone, defies Creon’s decree and chooses to bury him, highlighting her belief in the importance of honoring family ties and the sacredness of burial rituals. This act of defiance ultimately leads to Antigone’s own tragic fate, as she is sentenced to be buried alive.
The repeated burial and unburial of Polynices’ body serves as a symbol of the ongoing struggle between the laws of the state and the laws of the gods. The conflict between Creon’s decree and Antigone’s defiance represents the clash between man-made laws and moral principles, with Polynices caught in the middle.
Polynices’ character in Antigone is a complex and tragic figure, torn between his ambition for power and his loyalty to his family. His actions and their consequences serve as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of pride and the importance of honoring familial bonds.
