After reading "Antigone", I realise that it is important for the readers to differentiate what is meant by "being firm with your own decisions and beliefs" and what is meant by "stubbornness". There is only a rather thin line between these two qualities. However, it is a praise-above quality of being firm with your beliefs but you will receive bad consequences if you have stubbborness as your character flaw.
In fact, the reversal of fortune that happens on Creon is due to his own stubbornness with his beliefs. Creon is being too rigid and inflexible with his own view until he neglects the advices and opinions of others. He is too egoistic. Creon thinks that he is the only one person who is powerful and is always on the right side of the law. He fails to realise that, as a human being, he homself might as well make a mistake just like any other person. Creon's stubbornness causes his refusal in believing that he has offended the laws of gods.
Even though Creon does try out some remedies to improve the situations, but the remedies has come too late. Therefore, his son and his wife have to pay for the price of Creon's stubbornness with their tragic deaths.
In conclusion, we as students must learn how to be firm but not being stubborn when come to our decision-making process. In fact, we sometimes should take in the advices of others if they are for our own good.
Prepared by: Chuah Kar Wooi
134185
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21
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I agree with Kar Wooi that there is really a thin line between being firm and stubbornness. Both are related to making decision but the effects are definitely and obviously different. Undeniable, it is one’s freewill to be firm with his or her beliefs or being stubborn. As in Antigone, Creon is stubborn in this context. Although advised by Tiresias, he still wants to firm with his foolish decision, punishes Antigone. In his heart, he knows that Tiresias’s prophecy never wrong. But being stubborn, he ignores the reality and chooses to be firm with his so called ‘God laws’ that set by himself.
The price of being stubborn is unpredictable. Like Creon, he realises his mistakes too late and his remedies to improve situation are unworkable. Not only Tiresias advises him, but his son, Haemon as well! If he does not believe Tiresias, it is still understandable. But why he does not trust his own son, Haemon? The one that is close to him. Between dignity as a king and the one he loves, he chooses the previous. He just cannot get rid of his egoistic and makes a wise decision. Not only losing his son, he loses his wife as well. The price of being stubborn of Creon is great. He loses all the ones that he loves as well as the dignity as a king which he thinks so vital for him.
In short, being rational in making the right decision is important. One has the choices to choose whether to be firm with his or her beliefs reasonably or being stubborn to take advice from others. Therefore, we have to learn to think twice before making decision. Otherwise, we will bear bad consequences just like Creon in the play. Regret after unchangeable things happen is worthless.
Wong Phui Yee
134229
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