Oedipus
Just as it was with Oedipus, Creon is also a victim of his own arrogance. To say
he is a victim is somewhat gracious, but he is after all, human. Arrogance being a chief
means of suffering throughout these plays, it continued its role in the third episode via
Creon. But of course, he doesn't realize the destruction in the making until it is too late.
Not only does he lose the respect of his country, but he also loses his wife and his son.
Obviously, he isnot the only victim, but he is the source.
The conflict between Creon and Antigone is significant in that it shows just how
pompous Creon really is. He is under the impression that he has the right to establish
such edicts as those that restrict someone from honouring a family member. It is clear to
many of his poeple, and even to the guards of the body, as the sentry mentions at one
point, that Antigone has not done such a horrible thing. Also, Antigone brings up the fact
that what she has done is not unlawful as far as the gods are concerned, which to many of
Creon's own poeple, is the rule of all. This does not, by any means, help Creon in
acquiring the respect and support of his country.
On accord of this conflict with Antigone, Creon is faced with another problem,
his son. Haemon can see something that Creon cannot and that is Creon's overbearing
pride. A number of times he begs with his father to reconsider Antigone's punishment of
death, but he has no effect on him. At one point he says this to Creon, "Don't entrench
yourself in your opinion as if everyone else was wrong" (pg222). A very valid point
because Creon has been so stubborn that he cannot see that others have logic in what they
have said and done. Creon will still have none of it because after all, he is king and he
knows what is best for his country. In the ending complications, he loses his son.
His wife is the next thing to exhaust. She held Creon as being a "double filicidal
killer" (pg 250) and apparently no longer wants to be a witness to whatever else he is
going to do. She labels him as the source of her own death, as well. This is where
something finally clicks with Creon and for the first time he has a moment to mourn for
One of Creon’s many failures as a statesman is his prideful attitude. For example, Creon believes that gods chose him to lead the kingdom: “But see, the king comes here, /Creon, the son of Menoeceus, /Whom the gods have appointed for us/In our recent change of fortune.” (Par. 122—125).This quote explains how authoritative Creon was when he first became king. Also, Sophocles explains how Creon’s divine rights made him feel superior to everyone else, which made him more insolent. In addition, Creon believes that he is the sole leader of the kingdom: “We’ll have no woman’s law here, while I live.” (Sc 2.444). Sophocles illustrates the dangers of pride in kingship. He emphasizes more on how kings should be reasonable to the citiz...
It is very common for us to ignore a problem or refute the idea of its existence. we certainly can’t solve a problem by pretending that it isn’t there. Once the problem has been acknowledged, we can proceed to explore what the causes are. Shortly after Creon placed himself at odds with the will of the Gods with his new law that forbade burial to Polyneices, he is presented with the issue that someone has disobeyed his law. Choragos, his advisor, in an attempt to make him reason that the Gods do not favor his new establishment of the law, suggests that it may have been the will of the Gods for Polyneices to have been buried by an unknown person. We notice how Creon reacts furiously and orders Choragos to stop. “Must your doddering wrecks. Go out of your head entirely! The Gods! Intolerable! The Gods favor this corpse? Why? How had he served them?” (Sophocles Scene I 236-240). Creon has twisted Choragos’s words by interpreting that the Gods may have favored Polyneices over his rule. He feels as if questioning his final word is a sign of anarchy. He is presented with the problem and yet refuses to acknowledge it. Creon has failed to realize that he has challenged the Gods and once again his pride made him lack perception and overcomes his wisdom.
Creon abused his power by thinking that he can change or brake the laws of the Gods and not allowing other people to brake his laws. He did not want to burry Polyneices' body, but one of the God's law is that every human deserves to be buried after death not depending what that certain person did in his lifetime. Creon caused fear among his people by making a public announcement that nobody is allowed to burry Polyneices. He said that the state of Thebes consists of only him, and that there are no other laws then his.
...e is another corpse before me. Alas for the poor mother, alas for the child” (Sophocles 1302-1307). This shows how mean Creon was; however, he does understand how his mistake was as a result of his own actions.
In a society that was greatly renowned for democracy, Creon had effectively turned it into tyranny.... ... middle of paper ... ... Therefore, he should have room for more than one opinion.
his voice the townspeople should obey. Creon abuses his power to force others to accept
Creon finds out that Polynices was buried and this disgusted him so much that his anger was probably bubbling up in the pit of his stomach as if he was on fire. How could anyone defy him? What happens with the respect he deserves from his kingdom? He knew in his mind if something sever was not done about this; his kingdom would not look up to him as he should be looked up to. Where would he stand in societies eye? He sent an order to find this person and bring him or her back to face the penalty of death.
... for his mistakes in the denouement. Devastated by Antigone’s death, Haimon ends up committing suicide. Creon then realizes how wrong he was, however it is too late. This is not the only karma that Creon receives though. Creon’s beloved wife, Eurydice, also met her death when she was told the fate of her son. Creon finally realizes how blinded he was, and how he was continuously making foolish decisions. Two losses in one day- Creon is filled with great remorse and regret. Like the ‘Sun King’, all the sunlight in Creon’s life has faded. The world no longer revolves around Creon, as all his valued things in life have vanished. If you attain power, use it wisely. Otherwise you will end up heartbroken and repentant, just like Creon.
is at their level of standing just because he is king. Creon having this mental feeling of power says
Creon believes he is the only perfect ruler for Thebes. He believes that he can create a
Creon's noble quality is his caring for Antigone and Ismene when their father was persecuted. Creon is a very authoritative person and demands control of others. When talking to the Chorus, Creon does not ask them to agree with the decree but demands that they follow it. Creon expects loyalty from others. It is apparent that Creon is very dominating and wants to be in control. "The man the city sets up in authority must be obeyed in small things and in just but also in their opposites"(717-719). Through this quote the reader realizes that Creon wants obedience in everything he decides even if he is at fault. "There is nothing worse than disobedience to authority" (723-724). Further supporting Creon's belief that everyone shall remain faithful to him even if he rules unfairly. This is proved true when Creon says, "Should the city tell me how I am to rule them?" (790).
Creon first abused his power when he decided to go against the God’s law that every human deserved to be buried after death not depending on what that certain per...
In conclusion, Antigone uses developed persuasive skill to support her argument when facing Creon and the people of Thebes. Antigone utilizes her moral foundations, her religious roots, and the events of her past to form a sophisticated argument. Despite being unable to convince Creon to reverse her punishment, Antigone is able to convince the people of Thebes that she was right in her actions. After Antigone’s death, and the deaths of several others, Creon reflects on this monologue and realizes the honest truth behind Antigone’s actions and words.
Creon declares that an incompetent king "refuses to adopt the soundest policies" and also" p...
Sophocles, following the Greek standard of tragedy, casts Creon as the tragic hero plagued by his own pride, inflexibility and power. Creon believes his authority to be twofold, both as the king and as the head of his family. He claims that the throne is the source of all power, saying ?whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed ? must be obeyed, in all things, great and small, just and unjust? (Sophocles 217), and he demands the utmost allegiance from his son, bidding him to ?subordinate everything else?to [his] father?s will? (Sophocles 216). Creon is filled with hubris, and he rejects any solution that might compromise his image. For instance, when the guards escort Antigone to the palace, he demands of the Choragos, ?Who is the man...