Question

How does Creon justify treating the brothers so differently after their deaths?

Answer 1

Creon treated his brothers based on their loyalty and on his narrow interpretation of the law. Creon thinks that Eteocles should be given a proper burial because he fought in honor of Thebes, and he was a former king of Thebes. While Polyneices was viewed as traitor when he brought an army against his own people so Creon believes that traitor should be punished and not honored therefore Polyneices receive no burial.