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

due to close mindedness and an inability to listen to others before it is too late.
When Creon is appointed the crown of King of Thebes, he brings along with him great ideas and realizes he must gain the respect of these people.

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

putting us in danger, he is rather an enemy than a real friend. Creon reign begins with a tough decision on whether Polyneices should be buried or not. He decision is finally believing Polyneices is a traitor and does not deserve a proper burial. This command is in place immediately and “whoever shows my word and deed that he is on side of the state, he shall have my respect while he is living, and my reverence when he is dead. (Antigone 197). Creon goes back to one of his opening statements in he will prove my loyalty to Thebes and in return the citizens should do the same. If you obey this rule, you will have gained his respect when both living and passed away. Creon best exhibits an old saying in respect is earned not given, citizens must prove their respect to Creon while Creon must do the same for them. Creon great ideas in the city of Thebes are tested throughout the play and lead to some decisions being regret.
Creon’s close mindedness and impulsive actions impair his judgement throughout the play leading to decisions being second look upon. The sentry has stumble upon Polyneices with a proper burial, but is unsure who has done it. The sentry is threatened by Creon to bring him the man who has done this or death will come. Creon believes the sentry has “sold your soul for some sliver: that’s all you’ve done.”(Antigone 203). The sentry is honestly unsure what has happened, but Creon has in his mind if something bad as has happened or you go against, you must be taking bribes Throughout the play Creon accuses many of bribery when all are just trying to do the right thing for the city of Thebes instead he uses their advice but it is too late. When Antigone is brought to Creon by the sentry for burying her brother a second time. Creon gives her ample opportunities to deny the actions, but she admits to her crime. Creon is furious about what just took place and feels “Who is the man here, she or I, if this crime goes unpunished? Sister's child, or more than sister's child, or closer yet in blood - she and her sister win bitter death for this! Go, some of you, arrest Ismene. I accuse her equally.”(Antigone 209). Creon knows if Antigone is let off of punishment there will be major consequence and if he goes along he will not be seen as a genuine man by the townspeople. Creon's believes if Antigone is involved, Ismene must be also, but Antigone refuses to let her sister die with her “You shall not lessen my death by sharing it.”(Antigone 212). Creon jumping to conclusions almost led to an innocent life being taken due to a sister willing to die for another. Ultimately Creon decision is to free Ismene and leave Antigone in a stone vault to die. Realizing he made the wrong decision by Teiresias, Creon tries to free Antigone, but it is too late leading to tragedy striking throughout the city of Thebes.
Creon impair judgement leads to him taking the advice of others when it is too late and the damage has already been done.

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

look forward to in life, hoping “ death come quickly, and be kind to me. I would not ever see the sun again.” (Antigone 244). Creon learns too late his decisions from his close mindedness and impulsive actions have caused trouble and begins to second guesses his actions. Without a family Creon hopes death comes immediately hoping to never see the sun knowing there is not much more forward for him in life.
Creon in the play “Antigone” allows his inability to listen to others around him and his close mindedness impair his judgement. Creon's feels a need to enforce laws in a time of Thebes misfortune which does not allow him to make proper decisions leading to tragedies taken place that could have been avoided. Trying to what is best for a city while also being realistic can lead to crucial mistakes being made that cannot be undone.