In Sophocles' play "Antigone," Creon, the King of Thebes, is depicted as having a dual nature. On one hand, he is a strong and just leader who is determined to maintain order and stability in his kingdom. He is a man of conviction, who firmly believes in the laws of the state and the need to uphold them, even in the face of opposition. He is a leader who is not afraid to take decisive action, and his determination to enforce the laws of the state is evident in his decision to punish Antigone for her actions.
However, on the other hand, Creon is also stubborn and unwilling to listen to the opinions of others. He is a man who is unwilling to consider alternative viewpoints, and this ultimately leads to his downfall. His rigid adherence to the laws of the state causes him to make cruel and unjust decisions, particularly in regards to the treatment of Antigone. He believes that his actions are just and that he is acting in the best interests of the state, but in reality, his decisions are driven by his own pride and desire for power.
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On one hand, he is determined to punish her for her actions, believing that she has defied the laws of the state and must be held accountable for her actions. However, on the other hand, he is also moved by Antigone's passion and conviction, and he is aware that she is acting out of love for her brother. He is unable to reconcile these two conflicting aspects of his character, and this ultimately leads to his
Creon did appalling things in the play Antigone, even causing the death of three different people in his family. However, he is not necessarily heinous. His actions were just following the laws that were already made. Getting rid of the law just because Antigone was the one that broke it would make him look like an awful, cowardly monarch. Running a country is insanely difficult, especially with the events that happened before the events of this play.
This quote shows that Antigone’s explanations for burying her brother were out of love for him and for following the laws of the gods. Antigone's personality traits of courage, loyalty, and standing up for what is right affect the story by causing her downfall and the death of
Conner Johnson Mr. Milroy English 10b Hon. 17 January 2023 Ambiguous character Antigone is a morally ambiguous character who plays a pivotal role in the play Antigone by Sophocles. Being the play’s lead character, She is the starting cause of all the struggles in the drama. Violating the law is an action Antigone sees as necessary to fit what she believes is morally right, consequently creating contrast in her character of whether she is morally just or conversely purely evil.
He leads me to think that he's upholding his law versus the law of the city. This is evidenced by Haemon's assertion that the people don't think Antigone deserves to die for her "crime" (733). Several characters, from the prophet Tiresias to Creon's son Haemon, urge Creon to reconsider the punishment for Antigone's "crime." Tiresias says “stubbornness and stupidity are twins” (1027) and in the end, it seems like personal motives rather than enforcing human law drives Creon's
Leaders who have absolute control tend to take their power too far, which in turn, could make things difficult for everyone. As shown in Sophocles’ play, Antigone, The leader takes his power too far, and while doing so, his kingdom, and life, starts to crumble In Antigone, the character Creon could be considered immoral because of his unwillingness to listen to others opinions and beliefs, and because he takes his power too far; but, also how he eventually makes others feel sympathetic towards him due to the loss of a few of his loved ones. Creon makes everyone aware of his ignorant and immoral ways by not listing to the beliefs of others. When it came time for him to test out his new position as ruler of Thebes, he makes a harsh decision,
Regarding how the acceptance of her fate evokes emotions from the audience, it evokes both pity and admiration. Audiences may feel pity for her tragic death, as it is unjust that she has to accept and face death for only performing a sacred custom, which is considered necessary to perform for the dead. Additionally, audiences may admire her at the same time for her bravery in performing sacred custom for Polyneices despite being sentenced to death. Although it appears that her stubbornness and loyalty cause troubles, Antigone actually does the right thing by obeying the divine law of the god and giving respect
Another characteristic of Creon that is highlighted during the conversation is defensive when it came to the uncertainty of his ruling. In lines (831-833) Haemon says, “the people here in Thebes all say the same- they deny she is”, and Creon responds with,” so the city will instruct me how I am to govern.” Haemon explains all the citizens of Thebes think Antigone performed a heroic act by burying her brother, and they think she shouldn’t be considered guilty. Creon becomes over sensitive and foolishly says the city will tell him how to govern. This shows how defensive Creon is when it comes to the uncertainty of his ruling and him not listening to Haemon develops the belief of creon’s downfall of a tragic
Determination:What Killed Antigone One personality trait Antigone demonstrates throughout the whole play is her determination. In the prologue Antigone decides she is going to lay her brother to rest, even though this is banned in the city state. Her sister, Ismene, begs her not to. However, Antigone knows that she is going to give her brother the respects he deserves after death.
Again letting his untrusting self get in the way he hurt an old friend by accusing him of seeking money in exchange for his wisdom. Creon often let his untrusting nature get the better of him, and this caused him to make choices that would weaken relationships between some of his closest allies. To conclude, in the play Antigone Creon, the ruler of Thebes, had his core values impact his choices which led to his entire family's fatalities. Creon's hatred for traitors played a bug role in these choices. Also impacting Creon's choices greatly was his valuing his beloved city more than he valued his
His principal belief is that they must emotionally detach when deciding upon a verdict in order to overcome the moralities of society. As part of his primary response to Antigone’s defiance, he notably articulates that “kings have other things to do besides [wallowing in] their own woes” (33). This is of significance as the statement is in reference to his comparison of Antigone’s actions to “the pride of Oedipus” (32). Creon is emphatically criticizing the rule of the previous authority of Thebes by attributing Oedipus’ demise to his inability to detach himself from the direct social and emotional environment. Therefore, Creon indirectly suggests that in order to operate a society “more sensibly” authority must evade external influences and moralities (33).
Creon is known as a reasonable leader and he would try to comprise if Antigone wouldn’t agree with his opinions. This can be associated with Petain as he negotiated with the Germans. Antigone expresses her arguments for the right of freedom. In Antigone 's perspective she believes that Creon 's leadership and government is depriving individuals from being moral.
Ironically, he states that “the mind that is most rigid stumbles soonest,” which would lead one to assume that his leadership style would be flexible (473-474). Creon has the correct intentions by attempting to follow the established law, yet contradicts his statement on a rigid mindset by allowing no exception in Antigone’s case. Creon is in a difficult position
In the tragedy Antigone by Sophocles, Creon is an authoritative and wise ruler. For example, when Creon addresses the Chorus, he says, "...and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare -- I have no use for him either" (1.23-25). Clearly, Creon informs the Chorus that he has "no use" for anyone who practices favoritism, and he makes it clear that he expects each of his officers to act professionally and responsibly. Though this lack of tolerance may seem cruel, it only helps Creon to assert his authority over the others; but one could argue that this quality is necessary to maintain order in one's kingdom. Obviously, as stated by Creon earlier that, "no ruler can expect complete loyalty for his subjects until he has
In Sophocles’ play Antigone, Creon, the king of Thebes, best represents a tragic hero. Creon demonstrates goodness in his intentions for Thebes as well as his fragile state due to the fact that he recently lost several family members. Creon, newly named king, finds himself as highest ranking official around, showing superiority. Creon often acts stubborn and prideful, his tragic flaw. And lastly, he must come to terms with the fact that he caused the death of his wife, son, and niece.
He is stubborn, and his pride is so great, he cannot bring himself to acknowledge that he could ever wrong. King Creon also possessed the character trait of being very strict and inflexible, even though his character may have brought protection, or a sense of safety among the Theban people, even when his. When Creon is talking to Teiresias, he thinks that he is being paid off. He does not want to believe he could be wrong about Antigone. Creon even says, “Whatever you say, you will not change my will.”