2004
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Radix
  4. Volume 51, Issue 4
  5. Article
Volume 51, Issue 4
  • ISSN: 0165-4322
  • E-ISSN: 3050-9947

Abstract

Abstract

What if a leader refuses to bend his neck? This question, exemplified in the stubbornness of Creon, is a fundamental theme in Sophocles’ famous . Inheriting a city in chaos, he is determined to install order – come what may. Creon allows no disturbances of his power, let alone that he acknowledges any boundary to the political realm. Politics is everywhere. Gods and relatives included. In an era marked by stubborn leaders, sometimes with very tragic consequences, this essay examines the dynamics behind ‘creonism’. It argues that one of the most effective strategies to break the power of such leaders, is to present them with a realm that is not within their power whatsoever. In Sophocles’ tragedy, it is Antigone who symbolizes this type of resistance. Her appeal to the eternal law of the gods, which she deems valid regardless of the decree that Creon issues, draws a border to forms of power that totalize life. Although Antigone is just as stubborn as Creon, her refusal highlights the importance of cultivating a realm outside the scope of mere politics. If we fail to do so, so this essay argues, we risk surrendering every aspect of (communal) life to the grip of a creonistic leader.

© Timon J. Beeftink
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.5117/RADIX.2025.4.005.BEEF
2025-11-01
2025-12-05
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Anouilh, J. (1946). Antigone. Paris: Editions de La Table Ronde.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Brecht, B. (1969). Die Antigone des Sophokles. Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag. [Verwijzingen zijn naar de versnummers.]
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Cantarella, E. (2024). Contro Antigone, o dell’egoismo sociale. Torino: Giulio Einaudi editore.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Groot, G. (2015). Anti-Antigone. In M.De Kesel & B.Schomakers (Reds.), De schoonheid van het nee: Essays over Antigone (pp. 69 – 90). Amsterdam: Sjibbolet.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Heaney, S. (2005). The Burial at Thebes: A Version of Sophocles’ Antigone. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. [Vertaling komt van mijn hand.]
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Hunink, V. (2025, 24januari). Antigone was helemaal niet zo nobel en verheven als iedereen altijd maar denkt—of beter gezegd: dacht. De Volkskrant. Geraadpleegd op 28augustus2025, van volkskrant.nl/boeken/antigone-was-helemaal-niet-zo-nobel-en-verheven-als-iedereen-altijd-maar-denkt-of-beter-gezegd-dacht~bc3148ee/.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Lauriola, R. & Demetriou, K. N. (Eds.) (2017). Index of Modern Adaptations. In Brill’s Companion to the Reception of Sophocles (pp. 585 – 591). Leiden/Boston: Brill.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Sophocles. Antigone. Vert.: B.Schomakers (2016). Antigone. Zoetermeer: Uitgeverij Klement. [Verwijzingen zijn naar de versnummers. Schomakers heeft voor gelatiniseerde namen gekozen. Ik heb, net als Jules Deelder (2000), Gerard Koolschijn (2008) en Patrick Lateur (2024), de voorkeur aan de Griekse vormen gegeven.]
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Spreuken. Naardense Bijbel. Vert.: P.Oussoren (2024). Middelburg: Uitgeverij Skandalon.
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.5117/RADIX.2025.4.005.BEEF
Loading
Keyword(s): Antigone; Creon; creonism; order; stubbornness
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error