Lesson Learned?

Megareus’ family line has fallen. Haemon by his own sword at the sight of the limp body of his beloved, and the queen who gifted him birth, slain by a hand of her own. Creon defaced by his careless teasing of unearthly laws and subsequent consequences. He shall surely seek to end his suffering rather than address public humiliation for his failure and recklessness.

The blinded man admitted to and regretted his decisions, but did he learn the lesson he needed to come to understand? Will he receive forgiveness by the Gods when his day of judgment occurs or has he not yet demonstrated adequate knowledge and forgiveness for his sins? Professed sorrow for the loss of his son and his queen are insufficient. He is troubled merely by his circumstances, no heir, no woman to console him, and a reputation shattered. But what of the men whose prayers were ignored due to the tainted offerings? And of Antigone, a woman to die so young? Was her death in vain? So many lives wasted for a lesson not truly learned.

The Boulder Shall Fall

I have just spoken with Creon and he has left me beyond infuriated. Has the man no sense? Why must he be unreasonable and foolish? His self-righteous, egotistical behavior has condemned the city and the Gods will seek their revenge. The wishes to flex his power and in doing so he has lost his respect, not only for the prophet who has guided him so wisely and proven so valuable and insightful in times of urgency, but the fool has forgotten his fear of Zeus himself.

The Gods side with Antigone, and with our altars and our sacrificial hearths filled with the meat of birds and dogs that have fed off the flesh of Oedipus’ twice cursed son, our prayers and sacrifice will not be received. To inflict a second death upon a dead man, traitor or not, is merely folly – folly which shall be punished. The Gods will demand a corpse for a corpse. Megareus’ family line shall end with Creon for the Gods will surely take young Hameon as punishment for such violent, ruthless acts on part of his father.

My reputation is beyond infallible. I shall not be treated with such lack of respect and consideration. Not once have I led the city of Thebes astray and I am honest now yet the man cannot hear reason. He is blinded by his cruelty, by his pride, by his desire to demonstrate his harsh dictatorship. The blind cannot lead the blind.

The boy must draw the curtains closed for it is dark now.

Summons

A messenger has brought to my tower news of my summons by Creon himself. My counsel, in the matter of Antigone and her sister Ismene, is desired. He must heed my words for I have heard the distressed cries of the birds. The laws of the Gods have been violated and the city polluted. Tainted flesh now bears disgrace upon our alters as sacrifices fail to satisfy and actively dishonor our great deities. The corpse must be buried and the crimes of the girl mildly dismissed or I fear the consequences will be severe.

Where is the boy?

News of Thebes

The bloodshed has transpired as foretold by the Gods. The son’s of Oedipus have been mutually slain. Eteocles by Polyneices for his defense of our great city, and Polyneicies at the hand of his brother for his treachery. A most unfortunate affair to be certain. The blood now flows only through the veins of foolish women, a most regrettable circumstance.

Worse yet, a proclamation has been sanctioned by Creon stating that any man who attempts to observe proper burial rites over the corpse of Polyneicies shall face certain death as a traitor to the crown. The rituals required by the Gods must be observed to preserve the sanity and safety of Thebes and its people. To be stricken by the wrath of the powerful bears ill upon this land and that man. Risks such as these must be avoided, we must guard ourselves against sin and as ruler, Creon is bound by his title to protect his kingdom. I fear that he has committed a grave sin against the Gods by denying this dead traitor passage from this world and into the next.

A sister’s heart aches, torn by her loyalties. Shall she sacrifice her immortal soul so that this body might walk beside her sister’s, so that she might fulfill a vowed marriage? The duties are known and the consequences clear, life ended abruptly ensures pacification of the Gods and demonstrates deep loyalty to blood lost. She must choose and she will choose wisely. A lesson must be learned.

The Musings of an Old Man

I am plagued by the aches of my years this day. I must get up and draw open the curtains so that the Gods’ light might bless this black place. God’s radiance will not lift the shadows befallen my hindered sight, not today – not ever. But my soul, this fleshy entrapment that keeps it locked here, yearns for the warmth.

Where is the boy? He should be here by now; I need him. The light!

Something is wrong. Lives shall be slain, and more death. The bloodshed must not occur, but it is inevitable, unstoppable, immanent, destined.

The boy comes now, hopefully he has brought along my supper as the grumblings hinder my judgment and add yet another ache to keep me lain.