Question

Insults in Antigone:

a) Creon: "You are foolish, Antigone, to defy the king's decree!"
Antigone: "You are heartless, Creon, to deny my brother a proper burial!"

Explanation: Creon accuses Antigone of foolishness to challenge his authority, implying she lacks wisdom and understanding. Antigone, in turn, labels Creon as heartless, suggesting he lacks empathy and compassion.

b) Creon: "Your defiance will lead to your downfall, Antigone."
Antigone: "Your arrogance blinds you, Creon, to the cries of the people."

Explanation: Creon warns Antigone that her rebellion will result in her own ruin. Antigone counters by accusing Creon of arrogance, implying he is self-absorbed and ignores the needs and grievances of the citizens.

Answer 1

In 'Antigone', insults exchanged between Antigone and Creon reflect their conflicting beliefs regarding law and justice, leading to tragic outcomes for both characters.

Step-by-step explanation:

The classic play 'Antigone' by Sophocles deals with themes of civil disobedience, loyalty to family, and the conflicts between moral and civil law. Antigone, defying the decree of Creon, the king of Thebes, performs funeral rites for her brother Polyneices, defying the edict that forbids it. The insults exchanged between Antigone and Creon reflect the deep ideological rift between them. Creon calls Antigone 'foolish' for challenging his authority, implying a lack of wisdom on her part. Antigone retaliates by calling Creon 'heartless', indicating his lack of empathy and compassion for her brother's right to a dignified burial.

In another instance, Creon's warning that Antigone's 'defiance will lead to her downfall' is met with her accusation that Creon's 'arrogance blinds' him, failing to see the will of the people. These exchanges underscore the tragic elements of the play, as both characters remain resolute in their beliefs, ultimately leading to dire consequences for themselves and their loved ones.