Hierarchy
how does the sentry reveal his place in hierarchy :
when the sentry was reporting to Creon that Polyneices body was buried, his responsibility is to ensure that ni one will bury Polyneices. This duty was established to Sentry as a subordinate figure, as he following the orders from the king. This has clearly show the hierarchy
as well as when he report the fact to Creon, he was frightened due to he didn't carry out the order well, the fear represents the sentry's subordinate position, he's afraid of the consequences if he tell Creon the bad news
in the line 190, Sentry said "every time i stopped to think about what i have to tell you, i felt like going back"
this shows that Sentry is afraid to tell the news to Creon
as well as Sentry was running out of breathe, because hes scared if someone has tell Creon the news before him, which is a worse situation for him.
when Sentry is trying report, his language is no sense, this is another piece of evidence that he's afraid the consequence and he couldn't bear the anger
while he was explaining what has happened to Creon, he was attempting to distance himself from this, he doesn't want to hold the responsibility for preventing burial, emphasized sentry as a subordinate figure, he's worried about facing Creon. so he attempt to avoid the blame from Creon
What is the sentry's view of King Creon?
at the start of the play, it is obvious that Sentry is absolutely obedient to the king Creon, meanwhile mixed with a bit of fear due to he is a subordinate figure
when the sentry is reporting the new to Creon, he didn't obey his duty very well, and also he became more embroiled within the burial of Polyneices. The Sentry seems to be frustrated with Creon's strict, unwavering stance about the burial issue. While he was reporting the new, the languages have clearly shows the fear of Creon's Wrath
'every man of us, accusing the other, we all proved the other man did it, we were ready to take hot iron in our hands, walk through fire, swear by all the gods, it was not I, I do not know who it was, but it was not I!'
in this part, Sentry's language has became more extreme and it has clearly shows that Sentry is in panic, trying to tell the fact that no one knows what has happened.
Ultimately, Sentry may thinks Creon is not a good leader for the state, due to his inflexible and obsession to his edict with any cost always leads to some unnecessary conflict, causing people suffer
How does the sentry portray the men who are there to protect King Creon?
is the Sentry brave or unwise
Sentry seems is being really brave in this play, he knew that he will definitely get punished by Creon for failed to carry out his duty, but he still chose to deliver the fact to Creon. From this perspective the Sentry is really brave that he doesn't care about the consequences. However the fact is Sentry is not being brave to deliver this message to Creon, is mostly because he has to do it, due to if Creon knew the Polyneices burial issue earlier than him, obviously he will get involved into a more severe problem for hiding the fact purposely and disobey Creon's order. As well as he choose to deliver the new to Creon is not the decision of subjective consciousness, he did it because he lost in a dice game (line 230)
What does the sentry compare Antigone to (when she discovers her brother uncovered/unburied once more)? What does this suggest?
A mother bird comer back to a stripped nest
Sentry compares Antigone with mother bird, unburied Polyneices with stripped nest, the 'mother bird' suggest that Antigone is protective to Polyneices body, just like a mother bird. this highlighted Antigone's protective instinct and her duty to keep her dead brother underground. 'Mother' shows a sense of responsibility, bury her brother properly is like how mother treat her kids, the natural, instinctual behavior.
Is the sentry used as a foil to Antigone or Creon? Or both? How? Why? What characteristics does the sentry highlight in the others?
the guards are apprehensive for the news that Polyneices is buried, because they know that it goes against the king's order, they aware that sentry failed to follow their duty to prevent the body get buried, so they are concerned if there's a severe consequence could affect them.
Creon: Sentry is used as a foil to highlight the tension between loyalty to authority and moral conscience of Creon.
Creon is the absolute ruler in the state, so he wants everyone to be absolute unwavering obedience to him. During the dialogue between Creon and Sentry, when Sentry told Creon that Polyneices is buried, Creon's response is immediate and harsh due to Sentry's disobedience to Creon's commands. this shows Creon is authoritarian, that he has zero tolerant to any disobedience.
Sentry also highlighted the stubbornness of Creon during the dialogue. While Sentry is attempting to explain the situation, Creon refused to understand Sentry or consider in an alternative position, he stubbornly dismisses any explanation and concern from sentry
the guard may be uncertain, because this situation has never appeared before, therefore the guards have no idea how to handle this tough situation. They are unsure about what to do and how to reports it to Creon
"Stripped nest" suggested that all the effort from Antigone were gone, Polyneices body is still unburied. moreover Antigone has just cover the body with a light layer of dust, and Sentry still decided to remove it, it shows how immoral the sentry is.
'stripped' has created a sense of desolate, it also suggest Polyneices is 'stripped' now, which will definitely make Antigone disappointed and depressed.