What did the guards do to Polynices's body to prevent burial?

What did the guards do to Polynices's body to prevent burial?

• A. They buried him again
• B. They cleaned it off
• C. They covered it with dirt
• D. They desecrated it

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is that the guards desecrated Polynices's body. In "Antigone," Creon decrees that Polynices, who fought against Thebes, should not be buried as a punishment for his rebellion. The guards are tasked with watching over his body to prevent anyone from giving him a proper burial, which is a significant act in the context of Greek beliefs regarding the afterlife. By desecrating his body—leaving it unburied and vulnerable to animals—they disrespect Polynices's rights and the cultural traditions of honoring the dead. This act of desecration serves both the purpose of enforcing Creon's law and illustrates the severity of the punishment imposed on Polynices, highlighting the conflict between state law and divine law, which is central to the play's themes. Other options like cleaning off or covering it with dirt suggest an attempt to maintain some level of respect for the body, which does not align with the guards' actions or Creon's edict. The choice of desecration encapsulates the profound disrespect and tragic consequences of the situation unfolding within the narrative.

The correct answer is that the guards desecrated Polynices's body. In "Antigone," Creon decrees that Polynices, who fought against Thebes, should not be buried as a punishment for his rebellion. The guards are tasked with watching over his body to prevent anyone from giving him a proper burial, which is a significant act in the context of Greek beliefs regarding the afterlife.

By desecrating his body—leaving it unburied and vulnerable to animals—they disrespect Polynices's rights and the cultural traditions of honoring the dead. This act of desecration serves both the purpose of enforcing Creon's law and illustrates the severity of the punishment imposed on Polynices, highlighting the conflict between state law and divine law, which is central to the play's themes.

Other options like cleaning off or covering it with dirt suggest an attempt to maintain some level of respect for the body, which does not align with the guards' actions or Creon's edict. The choice of desecration encapsulates the profound disrespect and tragic consequences of the situation unfolding within the narrative.