A Change in Creon

Antigone, a tragic drama written by Sophocles explores the different ranges of characters: static and dynamic or flat and round. Creon, King of Thebes in the dramatic play Antigone takes on the role that of a static character. Throughout the whole play Creon believed the idea that he was above the law of the Gods and his decrees cannot be disputed. Unknowingly, who would think that Creon’s sense of pride would cause him the life of his wife, son, and niece? However, at the very end of the play Creon returns to the palace, holding his son’s lifeless body, where he finds out that his wife has killed herself as well. Overwhelmed with grief about the death of his loved ones, Creon turns to the Chorus and says, “Lead me away. I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and wife. I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead. Whatever my hands have touched come to nothing. Fate has brought all my pride to thought of dust” (1833). Creon takes responsibility of the death of his son and wife by calling himself a “rash” man and this is where Creon undergoes the changes of a dynamic character by admitting that he was wrong.

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.

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...

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.... Here it is where we see Creon admitting his wrong.

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).