Antigone & Oedipus Newspaper

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The Theban Times

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By: Arnav Patel, Pooja Patel, Nicole Sierra, and Sarina Thapar
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Polyneices Given A Burial! and though that Polyneices still deserved a have been there for her brother as well.
burial. Because no one did anything about She wants the same punishment as her
By: Nicole Sierra it she did, without the help of her sister sister but neither Creon or Antigone are
Ismene. When the guards were unaware, letting her do that.
Current breaking news after all this Antigone snuck into where her brother’s
dilema and hunt of who had buried corpse was and buried it. As soon as the Overall Antigone was the one
Polyneices, lives being on the line. This guard found out he reported it to Creon, responsible for acting out against Creon’s
afternoon after being there, giving Creon who was furious and threatened him with orders and is going to receive severe
an interview, a guard barged in and you death unless he knew who had buried him. punishments. Antigone is not afraid as to
would not believe who he had caught This morning we have come to find out by what Creon has come up to await her. She
giving Polyneices a burial! that same guard that it had been Antigone, simply is pleased that she did anything
daughter of Oedipus and sister of Eteocles possible to honor her brother. Come back
Last night as many of you might and Polynices. He claims that he figured next week where we will be given access
have heard there was an intruder who out it was her after she was honoring to talk to the guards of Creon and their
decided to bury Polyneices after Creon had Polyneices. Creon ferociously took perspective as to what occurred more in
strictly stated that he should not be Antigone into his office and they talked. detail. To learn more about Creon’s
honored. This is huge because Creon When they finished talking we asked decree, read further to read last week’s
explained how he did not deserve a burial Creon why she had done it. He claims that breaking news article.
as he was fighting against his own people. she was really disappointed that her own
Incase if you are confused here is some family betrayed Polyneices and that she Reference Article: No Burial for
backstory on the whole situation. A King was not going to do the same. When we Polyneices!
from decades ago known as King Oedipus asked him about both the sisters he said
gave up his children to Creon, if you that Antigone was the only one responsible By:Pooja Patel
would like to know the backstory go to one for what had happened even though
Oedipus’s 10th Year Anniversary to know Ismene tried to take the blame. There has been much word on the street
why Oedipus gave up his children. lately about the new king of Thebes,
Oedipus had four children, two boys and _______________________________________________________ Creon, and his new order regarding the
two girls. With Oedipus gone, someone death of Polynices. As most of the citizens
had to take over and so they decided for Antigone Being Questioned of Thebes know, Creon’s nephew,
the boys to both share the throne until one _______________________________________________________ Eteocles received a state funeral with a
day Eteocles refused to give up his power proper, spiritual burial. However, little was
and share it with his brother. Later a war We were then given the opportunity to talk heard about his other nephew that has also
occurred and the two brother’s resulted to the sisters. Antigone admitted to being died, Polynices. According to the order,
dead and it is rumored that Eteocles during involved with his brother’s burial and that any citizen that tries to bury or mourn
the war was defending his people while she would do it again because she will not Polynices must be put to death. For those
Polyneices was against them. disrespect and betray her brother like that. unaware, after the previous king of
She says that people should stand up for Thebes, Oedipus, died, there was a fight
_______________________________________________________ what is right and not let be fooled by her between his two sons, Eteocles and
uncle’s foolish rules. By the way she was Polynices, for the throne of Thebes.
The Two Brothers Fighting talking we can confirm that she truly Eteocles fought on Thebes’ side but
_______________________________________________________ believed that she was right and that she did Polyneices fought against his brother and
nothing wrong. Then we asked her about his family, betraying them. Both brothers
Once Creon found this out he her sister and she said that she wasn’t died, and soon after Creon claimed the
honored Eteocles by giving him a proper guilty, she acted alone. While talking to position as king. He has now made a law
burial, and on the other hand just let Ismene, she confessed that she had no part which states, “ Polyneices is not allowed
Polyneices body to rot as Creon though he in it but, she informs us that she regrets not to be buried or mourned for because he
did not deserve a proper burial. Antigone, helping her sister because she should was a traitor.” In addition to that he even
their sister, strongly disagreed with Creon said, "Polyneices, he who came from

exile breathing fire against this city
of his fathers and it's shrines; The man
who came all thirsting for his country's
blood to drag the rest of us away as
slaves– I've sent the edict out".

This law has been accepted by all,
especially due to the fear of the death

penalty. Rumor has it that Antigone, the current King’s rule. The story and the took the crown. He married Nycteis and
sister of Polynices, is planning on burying rumors surrounding Oedipus has started a they had a son named Labdacus. However,
him, but that is highly unlikely, for nobody new era, one in which the past leaders of Polydorus died soon afterward because of
in their right mind would accept death just our state have been forgotten. Recently, unknown causes.
for the burial of one person. As of now, there have been many conflicts regarding
Polyneices is going to be left out for the the past administration and Creon’s Nycetus and Lycus:
birds to eat. reaction to these conflicts. Before a person Nycetus and Lycus were brothers that
can make a decision about present politics,
Interview With Ismene they should be informed about the past. As both acted as regents for the young
a result, here is a brief history of the Labdacus. Nycteus, Labdcus’s
By: Arnav Patel leadership of Thebes. grandfather, was the first to rule. During
Cadmus: this time, Thebes raged war against
Due to the recent events involving Epopeus, the king of Sicyon.This is
Antigone, I tried to interview someone The first king and founder of Thebes because Antiope, the daughter of Nycteis,
who is close to her. Luckily for me, I got was Cadmus, the son of Agenor the king was impregnated by Zeus and sought
the opportunity to interview Antigone's of Phoenicia. Cadmus, the first Greek Epopeus for refuge from her father’s
sister, Ismene. hero, was sent to retrieve his sister Europa wrath. The Thebans were defeated and
from Zeus, the king of the gods. During Nycteis died of his war wounds. This is
_______________________________________________________ this journey, he met with the oracle of when Lycus took control.
Delphi to ask for advice on the matter. She
Ismene told him to give up and instead, follow a Labdacus:
_______________________________________________________ cow that he would find outside. He was When Labdacus became of age, he took
told to build a city at the spot where the
Q: What are your thoughts on Creon and cow stopped. The cow dropped to the over the city of Thebes. During his rule,
his decision to not have a funeral for ground in fatigue at a river and Cadmus their was another war but instead, it was
Polyneices? had found the location. After killing a between Thebes and Athens. The Thebans
Ismene: Well, he is the king so I guess he dragon that guarded a cave near the river, were again defeated, but Labdacus
had the right to do that and since he is the he sacrificed the cow and started to build survived the war unlike his grandfather.
king, one must obey his orders. the city of Thebes. The city was once Instead, his death was similar to that of
named Cadmeia after Cadmus, but was Polydorus. He too opposed worshiping
Q: What is your opinion about Antigone later changed. Dionysus and was killed by the god’s
going against Creon’s orders? devotees. He did however, leave behind a
Ismene: I get Polyneices being Antigone's _______________________________________________________ young son named Laeus.
brother led to her actions. I don’t blame
her for wanting to do such a thing but it Cadmus Fighting The Dragon Lycus:
was not the wisest of decisions. Had she _______________________________________________________ Lycus, instead of acting as regent for
forgotten who the king was and what he
had declared? I’ll even tell you that she Pentheus: Laius like he had in the past, denied the
asked me if I wanted to join her but I had Cadmus had five children: Autonoe, young child his birth rights and usurped
declined her invitation. the crown. As king, Lycus waged war
Ino, Agave, Semele, and Polydorus. When against Sicyon to avenge his dead brother
Q: Why didn’t you join Antigone? he died, Polydorus, his only son, was still a and niece. Unlike the past wars, it ended in
Ismene: It’s really not my nature to act minor and could not rule. As a result, his Thebes favor and King Epopeus was ​killed​.
against the state. Just think of the grandson, Pentheus, became king. He soon Antiope returned to Thebes but, was now
consequences I would’ve faced especially banned the worship of his cousin, the god treated very poorly and was imprisoned.
after Creon specifically said not to. I mean Dionysus. This angered Dionysus and he However, she was able to escape and
that’s pretty much all there is to it. lead an insane Pentheus to the mountains. reunite​ ​with h​ er twin sons Amphion and
Here, he was tragically torn apart by his Zethus, the sons of Zeus.
Me: Alright Ismene, that will be it for mother and the women of Thebes.
today. Thank you for your time. Amphion and Zethus:
Ismene: You’re welcome. Oh how much I _______________________________________________________ After reuniting with their mother,
hope this situation improves.
Amphion and Zethus seized control of
Thebes and killed King Lycus. Amphion
had seven daughters and seven sons while
his brother Zethus only had one child. One
of Amphion’s daughter, Niobe, was very
boastful and attracted the fury of Artemis
and Apollo. The twins killed all of
Amphion’s​ children, leading him to commit
suicide. Zethus’s c​ hild ​was also k​ illed
earlier​, causing him to die of a b​ roken h​ eart.

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A History of Theban Rulers

By:Sarina Thapar

Over the past few years, the leadership Pentheus Amphion and Zethus
of Thebes has been decided by tragedy and
family conflicts. This is not new in Thebes _______________________________________________________
and will probably continue after our
Polydorus:
After the death of his nephew, Polydorus

Laius: a situation in which you have to choose __________________________________________________
After the deaths of Amphion and between people you love. Be sure to use
your wise judgement to choose the better prophet who told him how he
Zethus, there was no one to take over the side. There looks to be an argument in would kill his father and marry his mother.
throne. The people of Thebes invited Laius your near future, but try not to let your He paid no attention to him, completely
back and he ruled until he was killed by sadness get the better of you because if disregarding his prophecy. He instead saw
his son, Oedipus. you do, it will not end well. it as a set up so that Creon can take over
the land, which Creon reassures him that
There have been four rulers since Laius: - Famous person that shares this that is false.
Oedipus, the joint rulers Polyneices and zodiac sign: Haemon (son of Creon)
Eteocleos, and Creon. The story of He continued to question people
Oedipus can be found in ​Oedipus’s 10th Oedipus’s Ten Year and after asking around Oedipus is told
Year Anniversary​ article and present day Anniversary that King Laius was killed at a crossroad
information on Creon’s rule can be found by Jocasta. Jocasta knew this because she
throughout this week’s paper. By:Nicole Sierra was married to King Laius and was
informed when he died by a servant of
Weekly Horoscope A decade ago a hero sadly died hers. Soon after, a messenger came to
causing grief amongst this town. Most inform Oedipus about his father’s death,
By: Pooja Patel people from the town remain confused as Polybus who has died from sickness.
to what really occurred with Oedipus. Which was a relief for Oedipus as now he
Leo The Eagle After 10 years of investigation and talking thought his prophecy could not be true
During this time you are going to have a to many sources we have come through since he didn’t kill his father, but little did
dilemma and the only way you are going with you, the public, with what really he know that King Polybus wasn’t his
to be able to choose the right choice is by happened. This problem did not occur out father. Interestingly enough, this message
going with your gut. Don’t let anyone of the blue, it started from the very start has worked alongside with King Polybus
change your mind and steer you off which was when he was born. Oedipus’s for as old as Oedipus is. So then he
course. Have confidence in your beliefs, real parents were Jocasta and King Laius. informs Oedipus that King Polybus and
and remember, sometimes you have to As soon as he was born they sent him to Queen Merope are not his biological
make sacrifices for the ones you love. one of their workers whose mission was to parents. The servant then begins to tell him
take baby Oedipus to the City Heron's how he found Oedipus and gave it to his
- Famous person that shares this slopes to get rid of him. The worker just King Polybus and Queen Merope. The
zodiac sign: Antigone (daughter of couldn’t get rid of it and instead messenger claims that he does not know
Oedipus) abandoned it. Someone nearby took him who his biological parents are because he
and decided to give him to King Polybus did not drop him off there, but he thinks
Virgo The Hawk and Queen Merope. They kindly accepted there is a way to figure out by visiting the
This is a good and bad time for you, Virgo. the child and raised it as if it were their shepherd who abandoned Oedipus there.
You are going to come into possession of a own, however they never told Oedipus the The messenger takes him to the shepherd
lot of power and responsibility. However, true story of how they weren’t his parent. and forces him to answer Oedipus’s
be aware, you are going to be faced with answer as to who he was born from. The
tough challenges that come about due to _______________________________________________________ shepard then tells them that Oedipus was
this new power. This may include facing one of Laius's son. He then confessed that
people who oppose your views. Also, a ​ Baby Oedipus Given to King Polybus the reason that his parents didn’t want him
reunion may occur, causing strong _______________________________________________________ was because of his fortune how he would
emotions between the two of you. Make kill his father and marry his mother, and in
sure you appreciate what you have before As Oedipus grew up there was an fear they wanted him gone.
it is gone. encounter at a crossroad where Oedipus
out of anger decided to kill everyone, and As they returned back home they
- Famous person that shares this one of those people happened to be King only came back to hear more bad news of
zodiac sign: Creon (King of Laius although he didn’t know he killed a how Queen Jocasta had killed herself.
Thebes) King, so he didn’t see any harm. The gods
didn’t think the same as Oedipus, as soon _______________________________________________________
Libra The Robin as they found out what had happened to
You can be very witty and clever which the King they cursed Oedipus’s land Jocasta Dead
you should use to your advantage, it might harming his people. The only way to end _______________________________________________________
come in handy. You will come across a this tragedy was to find the murderer of
harsh truth, and you need to make sure to King Laius and to punish him. Oedipus Oedipus then was able to figure out that
listen to what other people say. Make sure didn’t know it was him so he went around because Laius was his father and Jocasta
to control your anger that may appear asking for help in the town as to who it was married to him he was sleeping with
during this time and don’t let it get a hold could have been. He comes across a blind his mother. Oedipus was disgusted by
of you.

- Famous person that shares this
zodiac sign: Oedipus (former King
of Thebes)

Scorpio The Owl
Your nature makes you one to protect
those you love, but you might come across

with pins and demands Creon to take care the severity of their actions vastly differ. what he has done and so he then pokes his
of his kids and to kick him out to release Though Eteocles did refuse to give up the eyes
the bad fortune on him people, as he was throne to his brother, Polyneices reaction including the ones of both Eteocles and
so ashamed. to these actions are why he doesn't deserve Polynices. As easy as it is to simply blame
to be mourned or have a proper burial. All Polyneices for all of this, we must not
That is right, King Oedipus is our Eteocles is guilty of is selfishness, forget who triggered the start of all this
savior, he had integrity without that where something that most humans are also bloodshed. So, if you are going to blame
would we have been? Which is why we guilty off. Most people in his situation Polyneices, you must also account for the
thank him everyday for putting his needs would choose to keep the power they selfish actions of Eteocles as well. This
after others. He was an amazing person possess if they had the opportunity. In also goes for Creon who clearly could not
with bad fortune. It is sad to say it has contrast, his brother is not only guilty of see this himself. How can you do such
been 10 years ago which seems like an being selfish but, also of treason and injustice to Polyneices? If you are going to
eternity since our savior has left to another betraying his own family. Polyneices built prohibit anyone from holding a funeral for
world. So don’t forget to come down to up an army and attacked our city, just him, how can you hold a grand funeral to
join the rest of the town on Saturday, with because he could not be king. Some might pay respect to Eteocles? If you are going
pins and flowers to throw in the river in say that Eteocles was doing him a favor by to forbid the funeral of one of them, it’s
memory of our lord. not giving up the crown; Eteocles has to just not right to hold one for the other.
take on the responsibility of being king Either that, or you allow a funeral for each
while Polyneices could have just enjoyed of them. Come on Creon, this decision is
the respect and authority of being the absolutely ridiculous.
brother of the king. Polyneices even had
the audacity of going to our past king and
his father, Oedipus, to ask for help to
attack Thebes. A person who attacked our
city and caused a war that led to so much
bloodshed and death of our king does not
deserve to be mourned by our people.
Anyone who does go against Creon’s
order should be punished. The words of
the king must be followed in order for
their to be stability in Thebes and to
respect the death of Etecleos. Giving his
brother a proper burial would only
dishonor his sacrifice for our city.

Why Creon Is Wrong Advice Column

By:Arnav Patel By: Pooja Patel

The Creon Debate How can one be so evil? Creon, the Dear Advice Expert,
king of Thebes is holding a full funeral for I am in a dilemma and I don’t know what
_______________________________________________________ Eteocles. On the other hand, he has to do. I need your help, but I cannot give
unfairly banned any type of funeral for you all the details of my situation. My
​ King Creon Polyneices who was the brother of sister wants to commit a horrible crime
_______________________________________________________ Eteocles. Creon’s poor decision making that would end in a terrible fate for her.
makes Polyneices appear as the villain in She says it is for the greater good because
Why Creon Is Right all of this even though the greediness of it will make the gods happy, but I don’t
Eteocles sparked Polyneices to lead the think it is worth it. She asked me if I want
By:Sarina Thapar attack in the first place. So why then is to be a part of it and I said definitely not,
​ Many people seem to disagree with the Polyneices deprived of a funeral when but she is going through with it. I don’t
after all, both him and Eteocles were both want her to get hurt, but I don’t think I can
king’s decision to hold a funeral for at equal fault for the fighting? Well, let’s change her mind. What should I do?
Eteocles but, not for his brother get you a bit more caught up on the recent
Polyneices. They support their ideas by battle which featured the two brothers From,
claiming that Eteocles was as much to fighting for opposite sides. Oedipus, who A Scared Sister
blame for the war and bloodshed as his was the father of both brothers had decided
brother. However, they seem to forget that that the throne was to be shared by the Dear Scared Sister,
two. However, being the greedy person he Oh no! That sounds like a tough situation,
was, Eteocles kept the throne for himself and I am going to do my best to try to help
without sharing his power with his brother. you through this. First, I would suggest
Only as a result of this did Polyneices lead sitting down and talking to your sister to
an attack against Eteocles and Thebes. understand where she is coming from. Try
Now of course, this led to many deaths to put yourself in her shoes and understand
why she wants to do what she wants to do.

why she is doing this and you think it is a Maybe there is something you are not
very bad idea that will not end well for considering. Then, if you really cannot see
anyone, try talking her out of it. You can
try making her fully comprehend the
consequences for what she is trying to do.
Let her know the cons do not outweigh the
pros. Finally, if she is definitely going to
go through with it, just make sure she is as
safe as she can be and stay out of it to
prevent any further damage. I hope this
helps, and good luck!

Sincerely,
The Advice Expert

Dear Advice Expert,
I have recently come into power and
became popular among citizens of Thebes,
but I’m afraid there are people who oppose
my views, and I cannot tolerate that. A
woman by the name of Antigone had
disobeyed one of my recent rules: there
shall be no burial for Polynices. She gave
him a proper burial before being caught by
my guards who brought her to me. As I
declared upon the death of Polynices,
those who try to bury Polyneices shall be
killed. However, the fact that it was
Antigone made matters more complex. My
son, Haemon, is engaged to Antigone. The
last thing I want is for my son to be upset
with me but I have to punish Antigone for
the horrible crime she committed. I’m in a
tough situation, and I don’t know what to
do. I want Antigone to face her
consequences, but I know it will be
devastating for Haemon.

From,
Creon

Dear Creon,
Let me start off by saying that it is very
brave of you to put aside your pride and
open up about your dilemma. Now there
are always going to be people that don’t
agree with you. However, you must live up
to your principles. you have to decide
whether being king is more important or
family is more important. You should try
analyzing the pros and cons of each
option. If you decide not to punish
Antigone, then the citizens of Thebes will
not take you and your rules seriously. If
you do decide to punish Antigone and kill
her, Haemon will be devastated and it may
ruin your relationship with him. Good luck
prioritizing.