Greek tragedies often teach readers several valuable lessons, one of which is the catastrophe caused by acting on emotions. Both Oedipus and Antigone experience this because of their reckless behavior. Creon also ends up unhappy in Antigone due to the change in his behavior. Acting on their emotions, these characters all experience tragic downfalls, while others, like Ismene and Creon in Oedipus Rex, remain safe through their prudence and indications of wisdom. Because of the actions she took based on her emotions, Antigone suffered a far worse fate than Ismene. During the conversation with Ismene, Antigone says: “Ismene, I will bury him” (Sophocles, 3). To this Ismene replies: “Bury him! You just said that the new law forbids it" (Sophocles, 3). This is the first time we experience the difference in the sisters' behavior. Antigone has decided to bury Polyneices, even though Creon's new law forbids it. He believes that God's announcement means more than Creon's, and tells Ismene: “I will bury the brother I love” (Sophocles, 4). Ismene, however, knows that this action is prohibited by Creon's law and is not willing to violate it. He says: “But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do! [...] Think how much more terrible than these our own death would be if we went against Creon and did what he prohibited![...]The law is strong, we must submit to the law in this matter, and for worse. I beg the Dead to forgive me, but I am powerless: I must give in to those in authority. And I think it is a dangerous business to meddle continually” (Sophocles, 3-4). Ismene clearly respects the law and knows the repercussions of breaking it, something Antigone chooses to ignore. Based on their actions, it is... middle of paper... in Oedipus Rex. Creon went from being a calm and reasonable man to acting strongly on his emotions. During his fight with Haimon, Creon is described as "completely out of control". As in the case of Oedipus and Antigone, Creon's actions arising from emotions only end badly. Antigone, Haimon and Eurydice end up dying, all committing suicide after the terrible events caused by Creon. If only Creon had remained as prudent as he was in Oedipus Rex, things might not have ended so badly. As the characters of Oedipus Rex and Antigone demonstrated, acting on emotions causes more pain and catastrophe than acting prudently. Not only do the characters evoke catastrophe upon themselves, but their actions force pain on others. Today, readers are still able to learn this lesson from reading such ancient Greek tragedies and apply it to their daily lives..