The themes of Antigone and OedipusAntigone and Oedipus, written by Sophocles, are dramatic works with a tragic ending. The main theme of Antigone is that people sometimes have to learn the hard way from their mistakes. This theme is expressed in the last four lines of the work. They read: There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but submission to the gods. Great words are always punished, and proud men in old age learn to be wise. These lines are an important part of the play. They symbolize the bad decisions Creon made, his defiance of the gods, the punishment he suffered because of his edict, and the wisdom he gained because of all his mistakes. “There is no happiness where there is no wisdom” shows how Creon not using wisdom in his decision influenced him. By declaring that Polyneices could not have a proper burial, he went against the beliefs of the gods and other citizens of Thebes. This was not a wise decision on his part, and because of it he lost his wife, his son, and his happiness. Creon also defied the laws of the gods. This is what is expressed in the verse: "No wisdom but submission to the gods." In Antigone, the edict and decisions made by Creon demonstrated that his law was more important than those of the gods. His defiance of the laws eventually made him believe, when talking to Teirisia, that something bad would happen to him, so he gave in to his decision. When he surrendered to the gods he gained wisdom and learned that his actions would be punished. Creon's edict is considered his big word. In the third line it says: "Big words are always punished." Creon's edict was punished with the loss of happiness. He proclaimed to his city that Polyneices could not be buried and when he did he was very proud and demanding about his decision. He was determined not to change his mind at all. These great words he proclaimed would lead to his downfall. Since Creon locked Antigone up for burying Polyneices, she killed herself. Creon's son, Haimon, engaged to Antigone, also committed suicide when he saw his beloved Antigone dead. Creon's wife also took her own life. If Creon had not gone against what was right, made his laws more important than those of the god and issued his edict, he would not have suffered as he did..