Antigone Creon Character Analysis

The play “Antigone” by Sophocles, details the death of Oedipus’ two sons, Polyneices and Eteocles in a fight for the crown of Thebes. Creon, now the leader of Thebes learns of the battle and decides to give Eteocles a proper burial while Polyneices is forbidden to be buried believing he is a traitor to his city. Antigone, sister of Polyneices and Eteocles, believes her uncle is wrong and begins to challenge his rule resulting in punishment and deaths throughout the play. Creon’s impulsive actions in this play lead to the death of his family, which weighs on his conscience. In the beginning Creon brings along great ideas but is unable to fulfil them when the time comes leading to him ultimately failing at his job of being the King of Thebes

Creon is a newcomer to being a ruler of a large city, but does not let this new found power go to his head, he knows he must earn the appreciation from his townspeople. In his first speech to the chorus Creon states “I am aware, of course, that no Ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office. Nevertheless, I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare, I have no use for him, either. I call God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly; and I need hardly remind you that I would never have any dealings with an enemy of the people. No one values friendship higher than I; but we must remember that friends made at the risk of wrecking our ship are not real friends at all.”(Antigone 196-197). Creon goes into great detail that he must help his city who is in a time a hardship due to a war between the previous leaders. In order to gain the respect of the city he sees there is several actions that must be put in place to help the city overcome misfortunes. Also Creon is a leader who values friendship greatly, but understand if a friend is

When Creon leaves Antigone in the vault to die, she believes “I have not sinned before God. Or if I have, I shall know the truth in death. But if the guilt lies upon Creon who judged me, then, I pray, may his punishment equal my own.”(Antigone 227-228). Antigone sees her actions as only helping a loved one who was in the right deserving a proper burial as much as King of Thebes Eteocles, but if Creon is guilty for his wrongs his punishment should be equal. When Teiresias enters to speak with Creon, Teiresias tells of his vision, but Creon believes his prophet has also been bribed with gold. Putting his foolish thoughts aside Creon learns he must “ free Antigone from her vault And build a tomb for the body of Polyneices.”(Antigone 235). Creon begins to listen to those around him seeing “The laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them To the last day of his life!”(Antigone 236). Creon sees the Gods do impact society and finally realizes listening to them benefits everyone as a whole. Creon arrives too late to save Antigone, who has hung herself and along with her is his son Haimon, who fights with Creon in the vault ultimately kills himself in the process. Creon's wife, Eurydice, founds out of her son's death and also commits suicide. Creon inflexibility within rules have lead to those he loved the most to have passed away. He now has nothing to