The Importance Of Creon In Shakespeare 'By Sophocles' Antigone

Antigone is a tragic play written by Sophocles in about 441b.c. The play is a continuation of the curse put upon the household of Oedipus Rex. Sophocles actually wrote this play before he wrote Oedipus, but it follows Oedipus in chronological order. The story of Antigone begins after the departure of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, into self-exile. Oedipus’ two sons, Eteocles and Polyneices, were left to rule over Thebes. An argument over rights to power forces Polynices to leave Thebes. Some time passes and Polynices returns with the army from Argos and attempts to overthrow his brother. The two brothers fight and kill one another and the war ends. Creon, the uncle of the two

     Finally, Creon is a dynamic character. He undergoes changes in emotion throughout the work. He realizes his mistakes when Tiresias forecasts the future. Thus, Creon attempts to correct himself by releasing Antigone. But he is too late. He is forced to live, knowing that three people are dead as a result of his actions. This punishment is worse than death. Although Creon’s self-righteousness and inflexibility did not change until the end of the play, his motivations traveled from patriotic ones to personal ones. This created a major portion of the

In the beginning of the tragedy, Creon was recently appointed king of Thebes and he already held the city in a high esteem and because of that he wanted to do the best possible thing for the security and wellbeing of the people of Thebes. Creon explained to the elders of Thebes how he wanted the townspeople to respect his actions rather his words. “These are my principles. Never at my hands/ will the traitor be honored above the patriot./ But whoever proves his loyalty to the state-/ I’ll prize that man in death

Tragedy always involves human suffering, but not everyone who suffers is a Tragic Hero. According to Aristotle, there are five basic criteria that must be met for a character to be considered a Tragic Hero. Aristotle’s ideas about tragedy were recorded in his book of literacy theory titled Poetics. In it he has a great deal to say about the structure, purpose and intended effect of tragedy. His ideas have been adopted, disputed, expanded, and discussed for several centuries. In this essay, I will examine these criteria in regards to Antigone’s Creon, King of Thebes.

The second reason why Creon is a tragic hero, because of his inescapable fate. Creon has more than one inescapable fate, the curse from the gods and the killing of his dad to marry his mother. The curse of the god as we have previously reviewed, was brought up on him after Teiresias gives Creon word that his refusal to bury Polynices and punishment of Antigone, will result in the curses of the gods brought down on Thebes. This was one inescapable fate Creon did in fact bring upon himself. We see the prophecy come to pass confirmed by the Chorus leader stating “Tiresias, how your words have proven true” (Antigone line 1310). The chorus leader proceeded to say “Here comes the king in person carrying.. A clear reminder that this evil comes not from some stranger, but from his own mistakes” (Antigone line 1402).

As King of Thebes, Creon is forced to make difficult decisions. As a new ruler, he feels it is necessary to prove himself to his citizens, therefore he rules his state with a firm hand. He believes that Polyneices should not be buried because he was a traitor to his country and family. Creon knew this decision would be hard on some

King Creon’s tragic flaw is hubris. He does not listen to advice given to him by the blind prophet Teiresias. When Teiresias tells Creon, “Give in to the dead man, then: do not fight with a corpse- what glory is it to kill a man who is dead? Think, I beg you: It is for your own good that I speak as I do. You should be able to yield for your own good” (Antigone 36-40). King Creon does not like the fact that the prophet believes he is wrong and should do what everyone else has so far advised him to do. He accuses Teiresias as giving him such a prophecy because of bribery from others and a hunger for gold. Hubris is also revealed from King Creon in Scene III. Creon’s son, Haemon, tells Creon that the people of Thebes believe they have never seen a girl die such a shameful death and that the people live in fear of Creon. Haemon tells Creon he also believes Antigone should have been allowed to bury Polyneices and should be set free. King Creon responds with, “You consider it right for a man of my years and experience to go to school to a boy?” (Antigone 95-96). This shows that Creon does not believe a man of such age, “wisdom”, and “experience” should listen to anyone or change because of anyone else’s

Being the leader of Thebes, Creon wants order and loyalty to the city. After the death of Eteocles and Polyneices, Creon makes it known that anyone who acts against the city is an enemy. Creon decides that Polyneices would not receive a burial because he sees him as a traitor. Not burying the dead is uncommon for many since it went against religious beliefs. Antigone saw the wrong that was being done, as did other citizens. Creon says that “for quite a while some people in the

Creon, a tragic hero, and his actions caused his life to fall apart. Creon’s basis of ruling is loyalty to the city state. Polyneices, “who broke his exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city,” (700-701, 42-43), was not given a proper burial because, “no traitor is going to be honored with the loyal man [his brother who was loyal to Thebes],” (701, 51-52). Creon creates a decree that punishes anyone to death

​The legitimacy of a state or political leader has often been questioned in many different countries throughout the years. In Antigone one can question the legitimacy to rule of Creon. In different instances throughout Antigone, it is evident that many of Creon’s subjects obey his laws and demands because of fear, not because they believe his orders and laws are justified. For example, Antigone’s sister Isemene refused to help Antigone with the burial in fear of being captured and killed by Creon (Sophocles, p. 3). In another instance, the Sentry obeys Creon’s order to find and capture the one who disobeyed him, Antigone, in order to save himself from the wrath of Creon (Sophocles, p. 13). Creon instills fear in his subjects in order to obtain

King Creon’s fatal flaw is that his arrogance mask his ability to admit when he is wrong. There is irony in the fact that he pointed out to his son, the disastrous societal effects of anarchy. Yet, admits that he himself rules with an unorthodox style. During a debate with his son, he said that “a nation is personified by its ruler”. However, the society in which he governs, doesn’t share the same point of view. Unfortunately, for King Creon, it took losing everything to finally admit he was wrong.

If you were the king of the world, what kind of king would you be? A benevolent ruler who people trust, or a tyrant? What about a bit of both? In the play antigone, by sophocles, antigone tries to bury her dead brother.

Creon is also considered the most important character in Sophocles’ Antigone, mainly due to the fact that the gods retribution is directed upon him, meaning that he is left alone as his family are all dead, showing his importance as the play revolves around him in the end. Similarly to Antigone, Creon is shown as disobedient, yet to the gods and not the law. This is shown when Haemon, Creons son, tells him "You do not respect it when you trample on the gods' honour" (line 691) which connotes the disobedience as he refuses to respect the gods by burying Polynices, keeping the body for himself. Creon is seen to change as although he is viewed as a tyrannical leader, wanting all power from himself, he is seen to fall before the Chorus, represented by the chorus on line 1060, when he begs the Chorus "So what must i do? Tell me! I will obey.", showing he now is willing to listen to the people, although we know it is too late for things to change for Creon.

Creon, who received the throne after the banishment of Oedipus, begins “Antigone” with high status as the king of Thebes. He is fortunate to be honored as Thebes’ appointed king during her triumph over the army of Polynices, “Creon, son of Menoeceus, Whom the gods have appointed for us in our recent change of fortune” (Antigone, 130).

wife, and his will to live, but is doomed to live on in his pain. Antigone