Character Of Creon In Antigone

702 Words2 Pages

When you pay attention to something thoroughly, the thing becomes more and more interesting. Antigone is interesting because it is a play by Sophocles about a girl that has buried her brother, breaking the law that was set to have him not buried by the king Creon and the tension between Creon and Antigone. The theme of the play is how Creon shows his power through being a tragic hero.Creon is a tragic hero by showing how stubborn, full of himself, and harsh he is. Antigone really brings out the stubbornness in Creon throughout the play which gives the play more meaning.Creon is stubborn when he says “Take her and shut her up as I have ordered, in her tomb’s embrace.”(line 990). This Quote develops Creon as a tragic hero because it shows that he doesn't care what other people think and that he is going to do whatever he wants to do. Creon is does not worry about the hearts of his people what he thinks is right is always right in his eyes. Again Creon is being stubborn in line 600 when he says “No woman’s going to govern me-no, no-not while I’m still …show more content…

Creon is harsh the the people that disobey him when he says “Go bring her out- that hateful creature, so she can die right here, before her bridegroom’s eyes.” in line 867. Creon is wanting to kill his own son's fiance right in front of him for the reason that he thinks that his son in not being reasonable. Being mad at his son Creon is harsh enough to kill Antigone right in front of his son. The plans to kill Antigone are, “I’ll take her on a path no people use, and hide her in a cavern in the rocks, while she is still alive.” (line 885). Creon is going to make her count on the gods to see if they are real and if they will help her, if not then she will kill herself or die from starvation. Things that Creon is saying are harsh because if he wanted her dead he should kill her but he is making her essentially kill herself. Harsh is definitely something to describe

Show More
Related

  • The Complex Character Of Creon In Sophocles Antigone

    295 Words  | 1 Pages

    Ironic and corrosive behavior is noted in Creon when he gives the quote, “You dazzle me” (Scene 2, Line 182). This is verbal irony because as an audience we know that Creon does not, in fact, feel that the Choragus’ outburst about Antigone’s death is ‘dazzling.’ but because of this we must wonder, what does he mean? We can find out from the writing of Sophocles. This small line gives a foreshadowing of Creon’s true nature. Creon does not act kingly, he is rude and arrogant. Why would a king need to be

    Read More

  • Creon in Sophocles' Antigone

    461 Words  | 1 Pages

    Throughout the story of Antigone, particularly the end, Creon proposes the bad-boy in control personality. He acts as the ruler he is and puts his power to work. He fears nothing unless his family is involved. He has no mercy when it comes to the law. Additionally, he is greatly affected by the environment he creates around himself.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Creon In Antigone

    429 Words  | 1 Pages

    A tragedy is when someone drops my chocolate milkshake from Chick-Fil-A in the parking lot, but the Greek definition of a tragedy is,”a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal”(Collins). In Sophocles’ play Antigone, Creon is the most tragic character because of his hubris, hamartia, and he is the primary Antagonist.

    Read More

  • Hubris In Antigone Vs Creon

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the play Creon is portrayed as King and a leader unwilling to bend the rules in order to protect the city. The way Creon responds to Antigone, “While I’m alive, no woman is going to lord over me”, shows he is stubborn and also his pride. (593-594) While the play continues Creon’s pride grows, and he thinks he can never be wrong and punishes Antigone by locking her up in a cave. However, things turn a different way when the Prophet tells Creon that he must free Antigone or face the wrath of Gods. After hearing this Creon changes his mind, “I shackled her, I’ll set her free myself. I am afraid it’s best to keep the established laws…” (1236-1238) But, as Creon tries to set Antigone free, he is faced with suicides of Antigone and Haemon, and followed by the suicide of his wife, Eurydice. This moment in the play serves as the downfall of Creon. But unlike Antigone, Creon reaches anagnorisis, which is the moment in the play when the tragic character realizes his hubris has led to his downfall. “And the guilt is all mine- can never be fixed…god help me, I admit all!”(1441-1445) Ultimately, Creon is more of a proper tragic character than Antigone because of he has an epiphany, a moment when he realizes his hubris has caused conflicts and deaths in the

    Read More

  • How Does Haemon Characterize Creon

    908 Words  | 2 Pages

    " This indicates Creon’s decision to punish Antigone was not taken kindly by the gods, but his ego wouldn't allow him to solve that as shown by Haemon, which, again, contribute to his nemesis. This proves by how Creon’s stubbornness isn't liked by the gods establishing him as a tragic

    Read More

  • Sophocles' Antigone - Creon's Mistakes

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Antigone

    1762 Words  | 4 Pages

    Creon's pride is that of a tyrant. He is inflexible and unyielding, unwilling throughout the play to listen to advice or Antigone. Creon’s love for the city-state cause him to abandon all other beliefs. He tries to enforce this upon the people of Thebes. He wants them to think that his laws should be followed before any other personal, moral, or religious belief. This is where the conflict of character occurs between Antigone and Creon. Antigone knows that the sacred laws held by heaven are far more important...

    Read More

  • Sophocles' Antigone - Creon's Flaws

    525 Words  | 2 Pages

    Creon showed his stubbornness by not wanting to be proved wrong because of pride. When the Choragos tried to tell Creon that he made a mistake by telling that nobody can burry the body of Polyneices. Creon did not want to listen to the people of Thebes who tried to tell him that Antigone did the right thing, but of fear to Creon the could not really say anything. Creon thought by making an example of Antigone's execution, everybody would get scared and won't try to brake his laws. It actually worked for a while.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Character of Creon in Oedipus and Antigone

    825 Words  | 2 Pages

    Creon does not learn a lesson from Oedipus' accusatory behavior. Instead he adapts this bad personality trait. Throughout Antigone, he accuses everyone who tries to give him advice of betraying him. Whereas, in Oedipus, he is falsely accused by Oedipus of trying to take over the throne. This paper will compare and contrast his behavior and evaluate if he learned anything from one play to the next.

    Read More

  • The Characters Of Antigone And King Creon

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    Antigone’s strength allows her to defend her brother’s honor against Creon, who wants to make a statement about traitors. However, both Antigone and King Creon commit faults while trying to protect the things they love. Antigone should not have died for her beliefs as it puts her loved ones and community in danger, and Creon should not have forbidden the burial of Polyneices as it angers the Gods and causes him great suffering in the end.

    Read More

  • Creon's Role in Antigone

    435 Words  | 1 Pages

    Creon in the play Antigone by Sophocles plays a major role within the play. Antigone also plays an important role, as these two character’s conflicting views led to utter disaster, which highlights Creon as a tragic figure. Within the play Creon attempted to establish decisions for the common good; however, his decisions resulted in tragedy. Creon highlighted as the tragic figure, initially created decisions he thought were for the welfare and well-being of Thebes. However, Antigone, who rebelled against Creon’s decisions, caused Creon’s rage to cloud his rational way of thinking.

    Read More

  • Pride And Downfall In Sophocles Antigone

    364 Words  | 1 Pages

    “But now Polyneices, this is my reward for covering your corpse.”(1011-12) Antigone’s actions and beliefs differ with Creon’s character so much that it causes these two to have conflicting motivations. Bravery and loyalty are two traits that Creon seems to lack of. By the end of the story the traits helped shape Creon into the tragic character he was destined to be, by pointing out his tragic flaws. Creon will not listen to anyone, his pride is so great that he can’t acknowledge himself being wrong. The character interactions help advance the theme by conveying that sometimes society’s laws can be in opposition to one’s conscience or religious beliefs.

    Read More

  • Relating to Characters in Sophocles' Plays

    1549 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...efuses to give in on account that Antigone is a women. The play might have ended very differently if Antigone would have been a man. Thirdly Sophocles shows the importance of religion. The thing that gets Creon into trouble in the first place is denying his nephew proper burial rights, when that is what the Gods decree should be given to all those that die. Creon shows that he is a very stubborn man. The only thing that sways him is a prophet's promise of terrible retribution if he does not comply with the will of the God's.

    Read More

  • The Immense Character Development in Antigone by Sophocles

    1542 Words  | 4 Pages

    ..., this sense of arrogance angers Creon to a point beyond belief. Antigone’s refusal to cooperate causes Creon to go mad with irritation and frustration. Wanting to show his sense of power, he refuses to back down in fear of losing his position. His stubbornness grows stronger as Antigone continues to disobey his commands. Antigone’s strong and steady foundation helps her show defiance. She is able to overcome the opinions of the people and commit to helping her brother regardless of the after effects. She ignores what everyone says and does only as she wants. She is powerful, both physically and mentally, and is successful in her tasks. Antigone matures into a commendable and respectable character in which she depicts her rebelliousness and bravery, pride and tolerance, and sense of moral righteousness to demonstrate fundamental character development in the play.

    Read More

  • Antigone Creon Character Analysis

    762 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play, “Antigone” by Sophocles, a young girl is trying to bury her brother after Polyneices and Eteocles have been killed in battle. The king, Creon, will not allow a burial for Polyneices. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development demonstrates the stages of moral development the mind goes through. The fifth stage of Kohlberg’s Theory, “Social Contract”, best describes Creon throughout the play. The stage best classifies Creon because his social mutuality will change over the course of the play. Because of Creon’s actions in the beginning of the play and the end of the play, the fifth stage of Kohlberg’s Theory best demonstrates Creon’s actions throughout the play.

    Read More

More about Character Of Creon In Antigone

Open Document