Antigone and Kreon vs. Law and Love Who is the man here, She or I, if this crime goes unpunished? This question plagues the entire play Antigone by Sophocles. In two difference senses both Kreon and Antigone can be considered a hero and a heroine. Both are championing for what is right. Though each with a different set of values. Antigone is fighting for family and piety. Though to accomplish this she must go against Kreons law of burying her brother. Her sister Ismene hoping to dissuade her says, Im simply powerless to act against this citys law. Though Antigone defends her decision by saying, I intend to give my brother burial. Ill be glad to die in the attempt, -- if its a crime, then its a crime that God commands. She feels that no matter what the law of the land is the law of god is more powerful. This is a large portion of her heroine factor in that she believes that even going against the law she is doing right. And now you can prove what you are: a true sister, or a traitor to your family. To Antigone blood runs thicker than water and worth dying for. Kreon has many hero qualities his chief concern is that of public welfare. Being a new leader he strives to please the people though still uphold the law of the land. I am aware, of course, that no Ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office. Nevertheless, I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare, I have no use for him either. He provides his strength for the land and for law but showing no mercy. His strongest hero characteristic that friend or foe he will do what he believes is the right thing to do. Normally with a novel or play the hero and heroine are admired by the public. Though within Antigone both are admired and feared for different reasons. The chorus here siding with Kreon says: God and the government ordain just laws; the citizen who rules his life by them is worthy of acclaim. But he that presumes to set the law at naught is like a stateless person, outlawed, beyond the pale. The chorus wants to trust Kreon with their lives they believe in what he is fighting for but are torn between his beliefs of the land and Antigones of family. Because of each of the hero and heroines strong beliefs and fighting for what they see right the outcome of their lives and the lives of others are not sparred. Antigone is showed little to no mercy by Kreon and sent off to die. She also will not beg for mercy of the law for she believes completely in her fight. Isnt a mans right to burial decreed by divine justice? I dont consider your pronouncements so important that they can just overrule the unwritten laws of heaven. Even when his own son is against it and says, You have no right to trample on Gods right. Kreon sticks to what he believes true and fights for his right as a leader. He believes, she may learn, though late, that piety shown the dead is pity in vain. Both hero and heroine held on to their beliefs so closely that each had their own fate and the fate of others sealed by the gods. Though our hero tried to reverse his only too late. I cant fight against whats destined.. I must personally undo what I have done. I shouldnt have tried being unorthodox. Ill stick by the established laws in the future. This however does not mean that his heroism is gone. He is a hero because he was strong and confident that he was doing right and in a way he was. Kreon was protected others from going against him and trying to show his strength as a leader and to uphold the land. Though he learned, the laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them to the last day of his life! Antigone pays for her being a heroine with her life, in which she takes herself. Though she fought for her family and for her beliefs therefore proving she truly was a heroine. She states at the beginning of the play that, Kreon is not strong enough to stand in my way. Antigone was correct for she pressed on with her values and in the end proved them correct. For all who reads this shall know, the greater your arrogance, the heavier Gods revenge.