How Does Antigone Develop The Character Of Creon

1031 Words3 Pages

Greek tragedian, Sophocles once wrote in the play, Antigone, “all men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.” The play Antigone is a Greek tragedy written in 442 B.C. about the tragic hero, King Creon; he is a man who commits an ‘act of injustice’ against his niece, Antigone. Directly disobeying Creon’s decree, Antigone buries her deceased brother, Polyneices; when Creon finds out, he forgets all reason and sentences her to death. Hence, Sophocles uses Creon, the power-hungry tragic hero and betrayed father, and his foil Haemon, the strong-willed son, to develop the theme that the power of reason is stronger than the desire for control.
Sophocles introduces Haemon …show more content…

When Haemon goes to see his father about Antigone’s fate, he explains to Creon how “reason is God’s crowing gift to man [...] / The reasonable thing is to learn from those who can teach” (543 - 582). Sophocles utilizes Haemon’s statement as a juxtaposition of Creon’s decision to kill Antigone. to juxtapose Creon’s opinion that his decision to kill Antigone will serve the greater good. Haemon believes that having reason is the most powerful source of control because that is how he interprets God’s words. Creon is telling Haemon about the punishment law-breakers deserve, when he reminds Haemon that “the man who knows how to obey, and that man only, / Knows how to give commands [...]” (530 - 531). Sophocles applies Creon’s words to show Creon’s need for domination and regulation. According to Creon, the people who disobey him are people that need to be controlled, and those who know obedience are the only ones who can control the wayward citizens of the City. Despite his anger and ignorance, he truly believes that he is making the right choice for the City. Therefore, Haemon and Creon’s differing opinions about law signify that Creon is a tragic hero because he believes that his decisions are the righteous …show more content…

Haemon believes that not just one person should make decisions that affect a whole city. Haemon’s disloyal views of leadership clearly act as a foil to Creon’s need for power. He also believes that Creon is not thinking clearly or reasonably in his actions to condemn Antigone. Those opinions are what lead to Creon’s exhibition of anger and insecurity, thereby beginning to develop Creon as a tragic hero. Creon’s humanity is later revealed when he is forced to watch Haemon pierce a blade through his own heart over Antigone’s dead body. Creon’s anguish represents the misfortune he experiences as a result of his actions, for he has to deal with the fact that the choices he made of free will led to the deaths of his son and his niece. In the end, Creon realizes the mistakes he made and comes to agree that having rational thought when ruling a city is the only way control and order will continue to

Show More
Related

  • Haemon By Creon Analysis

    451 Words  | 1 Pages

    Through Haemon's contrasting words, actions, and ideas, Creon's character develops into a tragic hero. Creon is a person of noble stature and also has a tragic flaw of unreasonableness; which are two characteristics of a tragic hero. He is unwilling to listen to anyone's opinion except his. Haemon explains “when men speak well, it good to learn from them.” (line 819) This was a response

    Read More

  • How Does Haemon Characterize Creon

    908 Words  | 2 Pages

    Haemon makes a point of this by saying, “The people here in Thebes all say the same – they deny she is (Lines 834-835). " This confirms Creon’s status as a tragic hero when he disagrees with his people's opinion on what has happened to Antigone, which causes him to step even closer to his ultimate demise. This is key because Creon shows how his ego comes before his people as Haemon stresses, which explains how his hubris, the emotion called stubbornness will contribute to his downfall. Additional way Haemon shows Creon as a tragic hero is by highlighting how his tragic flaws are not just angering humans, but the god's that their society revolves around. Haemon shows this by saying, “You're not honoring that by trampling on the god’s prerogatives (Lines 850-851).

    Read More

  • President George W. Bush and Antigone: Changing Your Mind

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Antigone Creon reveals his obstinate nature and how even someone as important as a king is not invulnerable to the problems such a character flaw causes. In the beginning of Antigone the townspeople of Thebes rejoice in their new leader, “Creon,” they call, “the new man for the new day” (174). The repetition of ‘new’ shows how the city is ready to welcome Creon with open arms; this outright praise of Creon shows how highly he is regarded by his people. “You cannot know a man completely…his sense of judgment, not till he’s shown his colors…making laws” (194-197). Here Sophocles is showing the reader not to trust Creon absolutely because even if it seems that it is a new age is dawning, Creon may not be a good leader. In this passage Creon seems determined to prove that he is as strong as Oedipus and Laius to whom Thebes was extremely loyal even through tough times, he is so desperate to prove himself that soon after he sentences Antigone to death. Later, after Antigone has been captured, Creon’s own son, Haemon, comes to him saying, “don’t please, be quite so single-minded” (789). At this point Creon is being directly told of what he is doing. Haemon is someone Creon shou...

    Read More

  • The Domino Effect In Sophocles Antigone

    1529 Words  | 4 Pages

    His pride and anger becomes an obstacle and he is unable to see things for what they truly are. In an excerpt from the play Creon says, “You say – why it is intolerable – say the gods could have the slightest concern for that corpse… The hero who came to burn their temples ringed with pillars… Exactly when did you last see the gods celebrating traitors (Sophocles 319-327)?” As the uncle of Polynices, Creon is ashamed and hurt that his own nephew dared to raise an army against his own birthplace. This betrayal devastates Creon, which leads to the reader’s revelation of his many flaws and his growing disgust toward others. Joseph Tomain explores whether positive law, embodied by Creon’s policies, is subject to be overridden by some form of higher law, or the God’s will that Antigone tries to obey. In this, he states that there is not a clear answer to which one supersedes the other (Tomain). However it is clear that in the midst of Creon’s hatred, he establishes a law that goes against the will of the gods and leads to the demise of the virtuous Antigone which causes the downfall of other

    Read More

  • Haemon Character Analysis

    388 Words  | 1 Pages

    “They say of all women here, she least deserves the worst of deaths for her most glorious act.” (Lines 787-788) This is what Haemon said to Creon when he was telling him what the people were mumbling. He also said that they are whispering this because they don’t want Antigone’s fate, too. Haemon‘s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character to the point of these two characters having conflicting motivations. These conflicting motivations cause the characteristics of loyalty, love, and foolishness­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ to be highlighted within Creon’s character.

    Read More

  • Creon Tragic Hero In Antigone

    747 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a king, Creon should be interested in the opinions of his people instead of only considering his own. Creon asks his son, Haimon, “And the city proposes to teach me how to rule?” This character flaw causes the people Thebes to start to lose respect for Creon as king. This is his fall from a high noble title to one that is greatly dishonored. His error in judgment occurs when he passes the decree against the burial of Polyneices without any thought of his people’s opinions. Haimon hints at what will happen if Creon does not change his mind about Antigone’s death punishment for going against the King’s word. Haimon said, “But her death will cause another.” This is a point in the story that Creon could have corrected his actions, but pride got in the

    Read More

  • Antigone And Creons Transformation

    584 Words  | 2 Pages

    While they argued their views on what is for the best of the kingdom, Antigone sat to await her death. Haemon tried to convince Creon, his father that no one agrees with his view of punishment towards Antigone. And Creon shot back saying “you womans slave-don't try to win me over.”. At the time Creon had strong beliefs he was doing right by killing Antigone for her actions that she had displayed. Soon into the dispute between father and son Haemon becomes fed up and tired of arguing and says “then she'll die-and in her death kill someone else .” Creon shoots back by saying he does not care about what Haemon had just said creating a greater, larger conflict between the both of

    Read More

  • The Source of Conflict between Antigone and Creon in Sophocles' Antigone

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, the gods and the love of her family rule Antigone’s life. Creon’s life is ruled by what he thinks is good for his country and pride. Creon did not change his mind to free Antigone until a prophet told him he would suffer horribly for his actions. However, because Creon was so stubborn for so long and did not take heed to anyone’s advice sooner, he ultimately suffers in the end, as does everyone else in the play. This was all due to a man’s lack of good judgment, his selfish pride and his stubbornness.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Antigone And Creon

    1221 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Antigone” by Sophocles is one of the most deliberated plays, due to the indefinite struggle of wrong and right, the demands between the government and family, as well as the struggles of the laws. Both Antigone and Creon have very strong justifications for their beliefs of how the law should be enforced. Antigone believes in strong moral justification for her actions, while Creon believes the law of the land is the final say because he is the primary law maker. Antigone, is driven by a strong sense of feelings and morals; she believes there is a divine law one should live by. Creon, on the other hand, believes that the law of the land is the only authority by which people should live. In Creon’s world, men have an indefinite rule over everything

    Read More

  • Differences Between Creon And Antigone

    1792 Words  | 4 Pages

    Haemon knows his father is not being reasonable. Though he disagrees with him he tells him that he is loyal and that his advice is sound (Sophocles 710-712). He however only does this to get his father to lower his guard so he can be persuaded. Haemon tells his father that “only the gods endow a man with reason” (764). He tries to persuade his father by making him away that the other people of the kingdom disagree with his law and his severity. Haemon is thinking using the concept that the law is made for the welfare of the people. He also lists motivations for Antigone’s actions. The case he makes to his father is based on autonomous morality. Creon does not heed his advice, but rather dismisses Haemon as a boy who doesn’t know anything and doesn’t have any authority. He is still reasoning in his heteronomous

    Read More

  • Analyzing Antigone and Creon

    1299 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sophocles play titled Antigone, embellishes the opposing conflicts between Antigone who stands for the values of family, and Creon who stands for the values of state. Sophocles explores the depths of Antigone’s morality and the duty based on consequence throughout the play, as well as the practical consequences of Creon who is passionate and close-minded. Although Antigone’s moral decisions appear to be more logical and favorable than Creon’s, a personal argument would be that both characters’ decisions in society can be equally justified.

    Read More

  • Essay on Sophocles' Antigone - Antigone's Fatal Flaw

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    Creon is in a position of great power, influence and responsibility. The extent of his power is quite clear when he sentenced Antigone to death for disobeying his order. Antigone's reasons for burying her brother were simply the fact that she was demonstrating her love, honor, and loyalty to her family. However, the reason Creon is furious is that he feels insulted that Antigone openly and publicly disobeyed him. He was also inflamed that she was his niece and his son Haemon fiancé. It is known that in ancient times when a man's authority is threatened, especially by a woman, his ego is irreparably damaged.

    Read More

  • Creon's Attitude In Antigone

    502 Words  | 2 Pages

    Attitude is everything. In Antigone by Sophocles, one of the characters makes the remark, “Think all men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride” (line 34-36 scene 5). Pride is being shown in many ways throughout the play. Sophocles emphasizes different ironies to bring out Antigone’s arrogance. Creon’s intelligence, but also to show his irresponsibility and foolishness.

    Read More

  • Antigone Quotes From Haemon To Creon

    245 Words  | 1 Pages

    In these lines of the play Antigone, Haemon tries to free Antigone by reasoning with his father and the king, Creon. Creon in turn reacted poorly to this by harshly threatening to kill Antigone right in front of him- “Bring out the hateful creature; she shall die full in his sight, close at her bridegroom’s side.” (Line 760). Haemon exits the room, and Creon ends up admitting to The Chorus that they are right- Ismene did no wrong and he will let her go free, but not Antigone.

    Read More

  • How Does Creon Change In Antigone

    782 Words  | 2 Pages

    Creon of Sophocles’s Antigone, ruler of Thebes, and uncle of Antigone has a decision, to follow his emotion and divine law or the civil law. Creon is a vigorous character, who quickly changes from the stereotypical strict ruler to feeling more compassion toward his niece, Antigone. Creon rejects Antigone for her request of the burial of her brother, Polynices, which then causes a chain of reaction spinning downwards, beginning from Antigone breaking the law to the death of three family members.

    Read More

More about How Does Antigone Develop The Character Of Creon

Open Document