What does the play say about obligations to family and obligations to authority?

Throughout the play, the idea of family and authority is reoccurring. We see that the relationship between Creon and his son, Eamonn, unfolds near the end of the play. Although Creon rejects Polyneices’ burial and is not understanding of Antigone’s position, we are able to see that he values family. Sophocles attempts to emphasise Creon’s authoritative position through the play to uphold the image that he is a King who feels that laws need to be followed and are obligatory to everyone regardless of who they are. There are no exceptions. This dramatized his fall when he loses his family. We can relate this to the relationship between Karamat Lone and his son Eamonn in Home Fire. As they face many challenges throughout their relationship, they are unable to find common ground when it comes to either of their decisions. As Karamat is not understanding his relationship with Aneeka, Eamonn does not agree with his father’s choices. In the end, both Eamonn and Haemon die and we only then see the importance of family to Karamat and Creon. We see that it took the death of his wife and son to take responsibility for his actions as he states that “I [Creon] killed you [Eurydice] , I, god help me, I admit is all.”

 

A key, contrasting relationship that is used to show the importance of family over authority is the conflict between Creon and Antigone. As Antigone goes to extremes to fight for Polyneices, Creon sticks by his laws. Additionally, we see his perception that everyone has an obligation to the law as he even punishes Antigone regardless of being her uncle. Creon symbolises authority and this can be seen through the indirect murders of his own blood. We further see the lack of sympathy in him when asked “Do you really intend to steal this girl from your son?,” as he replies “No; Death will do that for me.” This presents authority as hostile and inconsiderate. Creon’s disregard for family through most of the play leads to regret. This further presents authority as unsympathetic and unjust. We see this in Home Fire as Karamat Lone abides by laws strictly to prevent the burial of Parvaiz in British soil. In the end, his wife turns against him for his mistreatment of Eamonn and Eamonn himself dies. Through both texts we see that authority and being in a position of power is blinding to the importance of family.