THE QUALITIES OF CREON
As readers, we have to make judgments and interpretations of different characters. In
the book, Antigone, translated by David Greene, there is a character by the name of
Creon. While reading Antigone, some important descriptions about Creon become
apparent. He views himself as the perfect leader, believes he is always correct, and wants
control over people.
Creon believes he is the only perfect ruler for Thebes. He believes that he can create a
better city with his presence: "I would not be silent if I saw ruin,…" (p.168 l.203-204).
"I would not count any enemy of my country as a friend-" (p.168 l.205-206). He further
continues by stating "I will make her greater still" (p.168 l.210). In this last quote Creon
declares that he will improve the city (she) by his rulings. Creon describes how his
qualities make him a good ruler and how he would act in different situations.
Furthermore, Creon views himself a good leader because he believes he has the best
attributes and no one can compare to him. Creon shows his over-confidence when he
boasts of his role as the perfect ruler of Thebes.
In addition, Creon believes he is always correct in his judgments and his beliefs.
Before the sentry even explains the event that has occurred, the sentry states that
he is only a messenger and that he has not committed the act. Yet Creon still accuses
the sentry of receiving money for the act and threatens to punish him. "That will teach
you in the days to come from what you may draw profit…ill-gotten gains ruin more than
they save" (p.172-173 l.342-346). Creon does not think logically that the sentry would
not turn himself in for such an impious act. Consequently, the Chorus suggests that the
act may have been committed by God. Creon stops this "nonsense" conversation
immediately and rebukes that Zeus and the gods would not honor criminals. Creon seems
to believe he knows everything and stubbornly refuses to listen to others. He goes as far
as not believing his son, Haemon, when Haemon informs his father of the reputation he
has created to the citizens. Creon believes that "It seems this boy (Haemon) is on the
woman’s side (Antigone)" (p.190 l. 803). Creon refuses to believe what Haemon says
and attacks Haemon for siding with Antigone. Creon’s stubbornness brings about his own
downfall when he chooses not to believe Teiresias, the blind prophet.
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“So don't let your mind dwell on just one thought, that what you say is right and nothing else.” (lines 799-800) These were just some of the many words from Haemon to his father (Creon) describing the action that he isn't taking. Haemon's contrasting ideas led to the development of Creon as a tragic hero while also advancing the plot and developing the theme.
Being in power yields the assumption that everything is possible. In Creon’s case, he states that “never, if I can help it, shall evil triumph over good.” Creon’s pride in his position as King skewed his perception of what is just. He opens his Kingship commenting on this very feature of kingship, that “no other touchstone can test the heart of a man” like that of utmost power. Ironically, Creon reaches this touchstone, only to fail, causing many tragic deaths....
There is a common characteristic of a tragic hero that is highlighted by Haemon words, actions, or ideas that examine more closely Creon’s tragic flaws and hubris, which contribute to his downfall. Complex characters like Haemon bring to light other more important character’s traits. Ultimately, Haemon serves to make his words, actions, or ideas call attention to Creon as a tragic hero. Whether confronting him about his leadership skills, many biases, using the citizens of Thebes, and gods to enlighten Creon of his eventual demise. After all, Haemon was a minor character who was written to confront Creon and shed light on how his pride makes him a classic example of a tragic hero.
To start off, Creon is of noble birth. For anyone who hasn’t read the play Antigone, or its predecessor Oedipus Rex, Creon is the brother of king Oedipus, thus making
...ehavior is after her and Stanley have an inappropriate encounter (possibly raped her). After that point the audience knew that after that point, Blanche could no longer stay at Stella and Stanley's apartment. Considering all of these circumstances, how can any rational being claim that anyone but Blanche is the sympathetic character?
If we must accept defeat, let it be from a man; we must not let people say that a woman beat us" (187). While, in light of the moral standards within Greek society, his rationale may have been justified, Creon's actions largely derived from a personal vendetta against Antigone as opposed to a genuine endeavor to establish civil law. To clarify, civil law expresses similar qualities to justice in the regard that civil law generally captures a moral agreement among the civilians; however, civil law, as an interpretation or product of fallible human judgment, remains subject to bias and corruption. Conversely, while the definition of justice varies on an individual basis, justice as a whole remains constant and impartial to prejudice. Therefore, while Creon’s condemnation of Antigone may capture the common reaction towards a woman's defiance, to a large extent his actions do not necessarily correlate with justice as his decrees are tainted by his paternalistic obsession for dominance. While Creon characterized a weak leader as one who yields to fear, limiting him from ruling with his best judgment, Creon capitulates to the societal pressure of establishing paternalistic authority in fear of rejection from his people. Instead of following Haemon's advice, he constantly belittles his son as a "woman's slave"(191), ignoring the fact that "a man who thinks that he alone is right,[that] he is himself, unique, such men, when opened up, are seen to be quite empty" (189). Ironically, once Creon's fears come into fruition at the play's conclusion, the words of the chorus reverberate the previous warnings from Haemon and Teiresias, portraying how Creon's obsession with power ultimately blinds his judgment. Even after accusing Teiresias of malicious intent, Creon finally agrees to follow the advice given to him: bury Polyneices and rescue Antigone. However, even in his final moments of submission,
Antigone is a play about a woman who disobeyed the King's order to not bury her brother. The play was written by the famous Greek tragedian, Sophocles, in 441 B.C. The story took place in the city of Thebes and the time period is not mentioned. The main characters introduced in the play are of Antigone, Ismene, Creon, and Haemon. The primary focus was centered on Antigone and the consequences she faces after breaking the King's orders.
This can be as little as making assemblies open to the public, but they would charge a fee in order to allow people to attend. On the other hand, democracies have counter devices compared to the oligarchies. This can be something like paying the poor to attend an assembly. A polity ought to be ruled by those possessing heavy arms. The poor will not object from not having the ability to rule provided that they are not treated contemptuously or deprived of their property. Many regimes that once were polities became democracies, this is largely due to city sizes increasing over the years, more people shared in ruling as the size of the city
She looks for empathy in all the wrong places. She looks for it when with strangers, with Stanley, Mitch, and Stella. The tragedy of Alan’s death is a leading cause for Blanche’s desire for attention and empathy. After his death he becomes involved with the hotel “flamingo”. It is here where she mistakenly thinks that sex, is a form of empathy. This empathy causes her character to have a blackened image of how to gain empathy from others. Once she gets run out of the flamingo she attempts to gain attention from Stanley. “It 's mine, too. It 's hard to stay looking fresh. I haven 't washed or even powdered my face and here you are!” Blanche understands that Stanley is a man who can at least support his wife. She flirts with Stanley, in a desperate need to feel, safe and cared for. Stanley understands that Blanche is manipulative, and he does not give empathy towards her. The tragic Irony with Blanche is that she does not recognize true empathy when it is given to her, Mitch has a deep care for Blanche, to the extent that he is willing to marry her. “You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be—you and me, Blanche?” Mitch shows a great amount of compassion towards Blanche, but blanche cannot recognize this empathy and sees it more as an opportunity to manipulate him, which doesn’t turn out well in the end. Stella is the
...tigone, a woman, his niece, and even the one betrothed to his own son Haemon, would dare to disobey him. This shows that Creon's arrogance disrupts his own ability to see his mistake and correct the wrong that he has done.
Creon's character possesses an infinite number of glitches in his personality, but his excessive pride was the root of his problems. His pride leads him to make accusations, before he considers the wise advice of others. Creon's pride also fills him not just as a king superior to the Gods, but also a man superior to women. The issue of Antigone being condemned to die becomes more than just a person who disobeys Creon; instead, the punishment is given even more eagerly, because it is a woman who disobeys a man. Creon's intelligent son warns Creon the people of Thebes sympathize with Antigone, but Creon accuses Haemon of being a "woman's slave" (line 756). Even though he is suppose to be loyal to the state and her citizens, he defensively questions if "the town [is] to tell [him] how [he] ought to rule?"(Line 734)The Theban king is too prideful to obey even the wisest of prophets, blind Teresias, insisting that "the whole crew of seers are money-mad" (line 1055). Creon finally puts his pride aside and listens to the Chorus' wise advice. It is difficult even then, and he obeys only because he fears the punishment that he might receive. "To yield [for Creon] is terrible" (line 1095) meaning to swallow his pride and admit that he is wrong is a very difficult thing for him to do. When Creon loses his wife and son, Creon's pride disappears, and he admits that he made a terrible mistake by not listening to anyone's advice.
Antigone, a play written by Sophocles, became a classic due to its timeless subject matter. In this play, the Greek dramatist reflected mainly on civil disobedience. Antigone believes in individual rights over state rights. Creon, however, strongly believes in putting state over religion. The play not only revolves on these two political and religious issues, but it also deals with the battle of the sexes.
Creon seemed to be a loyal king, would wanted to prove his worthiness to the people of Thebes, but Creon also had a stubborn side. This stubborn side of Creon rooted from his love of power. Creon strongly believed in a powerful kingdom and felt that everyone should obey his rules as king and this revealed that he was truly self centered person who thought highly of himself. However, Creon will experience a change of heart toward the end of the play.
In this paper I will be making 3 major points about Creon. First I will explain the role Creon plays in this drama. Next I will explain some of the values Creon represents in this story. And for the last I will be examining how essential Creon is to the way this situation plays itself out.