Throughout Greek literature, the blind prophet Tiresias makes several appearances. In Sophocles’ plays Oedipus the King and Antigone, Tiresias tries in vain to warn the kings of Thebes of their wrong doing. In Antigone, Creon, the king of Thebes, refuses to reason with Tiresias after sentencing his niece Antigone to death for burying her brother. Throughout the text Tiresias and the Chorus to help Creon see the errors he has made, but he is blinded by his stubbornness.
When Tiresias arrives in Thebes to speak to Creon it at first appears that Creon will obey the advice the prophet has to offer. This can be seen through their exchange where Tiresias says, “I will teach you. And you obey the seer.” (1094) to which Creon responds, “I will,/ I’ve never wavered from you advice before.” (1095-96) through this dialogue it is clear that Creon values Tiresias’s opinion. It is also ironic because Creon later refuses to heed the advice he has been given by the prophet. In other Greek literature, such as Oedipus the King by Sophocles, the title character also chooses not to believe the blind prophet and in turn blinds and exiles himself. Considering that Creon was present for the events of Oedipus the King, it seems rather obvious that he should follow the prophet’s advice. What is truly ironic about both Antigone and Oedipus the King, the blind prophet Tiresias is the only character in both plays that can actually see what is really happening.
Tiresias tries to explain to Creon that he is the cause of the problems in Thebes. Tiresias reveals that through Creon’s stubborn actions he is causing a plague on Thebes:
“And it is you-
Your high resolve that sets this plague on Thebes.
The public altars and sacred hearths are fouled,
...
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... After hearing the fate of his wife, Creon laments that he is to blame:
“And the guilt is all mine-
Can never be fixed on another man,
No escape for me. I killed you,
I, god help me, I admit it all!” (1442-1445).
Creon then prayers for death, but is denied and is forced to continue living as punishment for his pride and misguided actions.
It is clear that throughout the play Creon was given plenty of opportunities to see his wrong doings. Tiresias not only tells Creon that he is making a mistake but warns him of the consequences. Creon chooses to insult Tiresias and ignore his advice until he is swayed by others to follow the advice. However, Creon’s hesitation and pride cause him to lose everything.
Works Cited
Sophocles. Antigone. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1984
The hubris resonating throughout the play, ‘Antigone’ is seen in the characters of Creon and Antigone. Their pride causes them to act impulsively, resulting in their individual downfalls. In his opening speech, Creon makes his motives clear, that “no man who is his country’s enemy shall call himself my friend.” This part of his declaration was kept to the letter, as he refused burial for his nephew, Polynices. However, when the situation arises where it is crucial that Creon takes advice, he neglects the part of the speech where he says “a king... unwilling to seek advice is damned.” This results in Creon’s tragic undoing.
Creon starts off being reasonable and understanding with the power he holds. For example, when Oedipus accuses him of trying to steal his crown, he said " If you discover I laid any plot together with the seen kill me, I say not only by your vote but my own." (Sophocles 136). This shows his understanding. Creon is comfortable with his power, people always greet Creon with respect, which demonstrates his power amongst the general population, for example, Creon said, “Now every man 's my pleasure; every man greets me." (Sophocles 136). Illustrates his relationship with the people of Thebes. Moreover, Creon is shown to be valuable towards the citizens of Thebes, when he said " I 'll go, you have not known me, but they have, and they have known my innocence." (Sophocles 140). This shows the trust citizens have towards Creon. Creon shows that he does not care for ruling Thebes, he states to Oedipus that "Now those who are your suiters fawn me, - success for them depends upon my favour. Why should I let all this go to win that?"(Sophocles 136). Creon eventually discovers that power is all he wants, leading towards King Oedipus ' exile. An example, is Creon said " Do not seek to be master in everything, for the things you mastered did not follow you throughout your life." (Sophocles 176), which explains that he manipulates with an intent that people mistake for honesty. Furthermore, this shows the end
“All men make mistakes--that’s not uncommon. But when they do, they’re no longer foolish or subject to bad luck if they try to fix the evil into which they’ve fallen, once they give up their intransigence. Men who put their stubbornness on show invite accusations of stupidity.” (Lines 1139-1145) In the Greek play, Antigone, Creon is an arrogant, self-centered king who has many foils throughout the length of the play. Teiresias’ character serves as the superlative foil towards Creon’s character by highlighting his sour attitude of disrespect, showing him what he has done wrongly through their negative interactions, and by exposing his fatal flaw. Teiresias is an old, blind prophet who has never been proven wrong, so when he tells Creon what
...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.
The cover up of Creon in a golden blanket, blinded and trapped, shown in the production of Antigone by the Wilma theatre implicates Creon 's blindness. He cannot see that his actions upon setting the law to prohibit any citizen from giving Polynikes a proper burial is against the law of the gods and many objections of his people. He blinded himself in his golden blanket of sovereign power as the king of Thebes that whatever he does is for the good of his kingdom. As Antigone points out to him many of the citizens shares her thought that Polynikes needs a proper burial but they “trim their tongues to [Creon]” because they do not want to disobey the law (Antigone 219). How could he, Creon, not learn from the mistake of Oedipus? Has he not
Tiresias could see the future but yet, was unable to stop the tragedies that occurred in Creon’s family. However, tragedies occur in Creon family within the curse he received for his disobedience to the law of their gods. Along with, Tiresias was an old who was blind making impossible to stop the tragedy. In addition to that, Tiresias guided by a boy came to Creon to advise him hopefully that Creon would realize his own mistake and come back from it.Therefore, Tiresias said ‘’ This is no small thing Creon!All men make mistake, but the wise man makes amends when he understands it’’. Moreover, Tiresias was considered prophet so he had to follow the law the gods. In fact, made it clear to Creon his disobedience would result in curse to his
... 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.
... middle of paper ... ... Several speeches follow in which Creon expresses his realization. His stubborn nature for one was realized during this moment; oh howl, for the sins of a stubborn mind!
However, the way his actions work and feed the conflict throughout also makes Creon fit our definition of a protagonist. After Antigone's capture, the play centers on Creon. He boasts of his decision to the town leaders (the Chorus in this play), and he argues with Tiresias about his actions and leadership ability. Tiresias' endless enforcement of truth forces Creon to face his mistakes, even though his pride is hurt: "It's a dreadful thing to yield. . . but resist the snare now?
To open, the things he said showed how he changed and became the tragic hero of the play. Many of his statements reveal his personality including his admirable parts and his flaws. When Creon says: "I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly," (Sophocles, scene 1,24-26), it shows his strong sense of nationalism and leadership which catches up with him in the end. "The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their necks at the pull of the smallest curb" (scene 2,76-79) is what Creon says to Antigone after finding out she is the one who buried Polynieces. He thinks that if Antigone wasn't so headstrong and arrogant then she could have avoided the consequence he was about to give her. I think Creon was being a hypocrite because he is just as stubborn as she is. The reason why Creon and Antigone come in to so much conflict is because their ways of thinking are almost exactly alike. "It is hard to deny the heart! But I will do it: I will not fight with destiny" (scene 5, 100), is a statement that shows Creon detecting his fault and how he needs to correct it. After talking to Teiresias, the blind prophet, he realizes in order for the higher powers to forgive him he needs to release Antigone. "Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust" (exodos, 138). Creon recognizes his flaw and its consequences but it is too late because fate has already occurred.
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.
Now, that the play is over we notice a downfall in Thebes that was caused by Creon’s stubbornness and abuse of power. By Creon being King he thought that he could do whatever he wanted and have everything go his way. Creon’s roles as King made him believe that he had every right to break the law of God and create his own for people without their consent. Creon caused corruption of Thebes by trying to measure his powers with the powers of the Gods and when Teiresias tried to tell him that it would not have a good ending, Creon failed to believe him. So, therefore learned his lesson as he was being carried in to the house as the choragos said “There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom, but in submission to the gods. Big words are always punished, and proud men in old age learn to be wise” (1833).
The gods cause Creon's destruction, acting in a just and logical way to the blasphemous deeds he committed. His destruction is very much in his own hands, despite the many warnings he receives from advisors such as Tiresias ("you have no business with the dead"), Haemon ("I see my father offending justice - wrong") and the Chorus ("could this possibly the work of the gods?" "good advice, Creon, take it now, you must"). He drives head long into it, ignoring those who counsel him. His inability to listen to others is very critical to his downfall, as we see in his rebukes to the Sentry for example ("Still talking? You talk too much!"). This is a fundamental weakness within his character. His stubbornness, as Tiresias, "brands you for stupidity". What appears in Creon's own eyes to be stern control ove...
In Oedipus, he wanted nothing more than to help Oedipus rid the city of whatever plague the gods were hurling at them. Creon goes to Apollo's shrine to find out why the gods are angry and then brings Tiresias to help Creon see what has the gods angry. Oedipus does not want to believe the truths Tiresias is telling him and falsely accuses Creon of plotting against him to become king of Thebes. Creon is so hurt by this that he tells the chorus, "This accusation against me by our ruler Oedipus, It's outrageous. (514)" By the end of the play, Creon tells Oedipus that "I'm always as good as my word; I don't speak before I think(1520)."
In the beginning of the story Creon visits the oracle at Delphi to find out what the curse on Thebes is being caused by. Upon his arrival to Thebes he informs Oedipus of what the oracle said: