ionships make. The crossing of theseboundaries raises very important questions. There had to be a determination as to howfar the state should go in determining the laws that previously concerned the family. Also, how far ones family should take precedence over the laws of the state and of thepeople had to be very carefully considered (Allbaugh). Antigone felt that there were two sides to honor. One side was that she washonoring the dead because he was a member of the family. The other side was thatshe was actually acting honorably (Hogan 128). The driving force behind Antigonesactions was the fanatical devotion to her own doomed, incestuous family, especially itsmost unfortunate member, Polynices (Knox 81). She sacrificed her own life just toperform a symbolic burial on her beloved brother, with whom she looks forward to areunion in the underworld (78). In the opening scenes of the play, we see that Antigoneis determined to bury her brother at any expense to herself. In her conversation withher sister, Ismene she says : I intend to give my brother a burial. Ill be glad to die inthe attempt....I then could face my brother as a friend and look him in the eyes(Sophocles 4). This willingness to sacrifice her own life exemplifies the power of loveand it also shows the importance of having loyalty to family (Nardo 16). Creon, on the other hand, bases his friendships on obedience to the state(Allbaugh). This can be seen in one of the conversations between Creon and theChorus when he says: Nor can I be a friend to my countrys foes (Sophocles 7). Creon was Antigones guardian since he was her nearest male relative. As herguardian, Creon was responsible for her crime in the eyes of the state. His punishingher was both a private and public act. He put the interests of the state above hispersonal family obligations (Pomeroy 86). Creon rejects Antigone as blood kin and alsosays that he will not have an evil wife for Haemon, his son. ...
