Examples Of Creon In Antigone

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Power, it can be a great thing, but in media we have seen thousands of examples of how it can turn you into your worst self. For, example, Scar from The Lion King, the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland, Governor Ratcliffe from Pocahontas, or really any Disney villain-ever. In the play Antigone, the author Sophocles shows us just how power changed Creon into a power hungry arrogant child, and how his actions and the actions of others made consequences for not just them, but others too. The theme in the play that connects the actions and events of the play Antigone is power. The most distinct traits that Creon has in the play is that he is childish, oblivious to other people’s words, and has qualities of a tyrant.These traits became more …show more content…

How he insults people because they said or did something he didn’t like. On lines 324-326, Creon insults the Chorus Leader by saying, “Stop now-before what you’re about to say enrages me completely and reveals that you’re not only old but stupid, too.” In this quote, Creon insults the Chorus Leader because he said a reasonable thing that Creon doesn’t want to believe, so instead of ignoring him or at least think about it, he insults him like a child. Also in this quote, Creon is once again not taking advice, it’s worse this time because not taking advice from a young man is reasonable sometimes, but the Chorus Leader is wise and older than Creon. On lines 600-601 Creon says to Antigone, “ No woman’s going to govern me-no, no-not while I’m still alive. In this quote, Creon is not only sexist but childish. The way he said this quote was like a child saying he doesn’t want to share. Also in this quote, we see Creon lose his mind a little bit, he is pushing and insulting everyone away. Antigone may have betrayed him, but he is the one making everyone hate him. Creon once again has shown us how tragic he really is. He has become a tragic hero, kind of like every bad guy. He has pushed people away, acted rudely, insulted everyone, and even acted worse than a toddler. Now he can spend the rest of his life as a tragic hero all

Creon's Failure
510 Words | 2 Pages
Many great rulers have been tempted by the authority of absolute power. In Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon, the Theban king, will do anything in order to earn this absolute power. Creon’s prideful attitude, disregard of the authority of the gods, and failure to listen cause him to fail as a statesman, demonstrating the nature of kingship in Sophocles’s Antigone.
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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.
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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.
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The Tragic Downfalls of Creon and Antigone in Sophocles' Antigone
712 Words | 2 Pages
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.
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President George W. Bush and Antigone: Changing Your Mind
873 Words | 2 Pages
In Antigone Creon reveals his obstinate nature and how even someone as important as a king is not invulnerable to the problems such a character flaw causes. In the beginning of Antigone the townspeople of Thebes rejoice in their new leader, “Creon,” they call, “the new man for the new day” (174). The repetition of ‘new’ shows how the city is ready to welcome Creon with open arms; this outright praise of Creon shows how highly he is regarded by his people. “You cannot know a man completely…his sense of judgment, not till he’s shown his colors…making laws” (194-197). Here Sophocles is showing the reader not to trust Creon absolutely because even if it seems that it is a new age is dawning, Creon may not be a good leader. In this passage Creon seems determined to prove that he is as strong as Oedipus and Laius to whom Thebes was extremely loyal even through tough times, he is so desperate to prove himself that soon after he sentences Antigone to death. Later, after Antigone has been captured, Creon’s own son, Haemon, comes to him saying, “don’t please, be quite so single-minded” (789). At this point Creon is being directly told of what he is doing. Haemon is someone Creon shou...
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Antigone and Creon
386 Words | 1 Pages
In the story of Antigone, which was written by Sophocles, the main characters of the story were Antigone and her uncle Creon. Despite that they were relatives, there were some conflicts between them. The story ended by the death of Antigone, haiemon her Fiancé and his mother, while Creon stayed alone after he had lost his son and wife. From the story no doubt there are some similarities and differences between Creon and Antigone.
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Antigone by Sophocles
1048 Words | 3 Pages
Creon is an antagonist in Antigone he is the bad guy and he opposes certain things like the right to burial. An example of his actions is can be seen here: “Polynices, who returned from exile with hopes of burning his native land and ancestral gods from top to bottom, wishing to feast on kindred blood and lead the rest into slavery, it has been decreed that in this city he shall be neither buried nor mourned by anyone, but everyone must leave him unburied, a feast for birds and dogs, an outrage to see” (Sophocles 200-209). Even though he is known for doing bad things he is still considered superior to everyone of Thebes. Antigone was known as the niece of Creon but she did not express herself as a famous and important person. Creon is proud of his position as king and he takes pride in his city and his decisions. “Do you realize you speak these lies to your king?” (Sophocles 1065). Creon shows his dominance in this quote. Antigone, however, is only recognized for being the niece of the former king and committing a crime against her own family member.
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Verbal Irony In Antigone
442 Words | 1 Pages
Creon showed dramatic irony when he said, “only a crazy man is in love with death” (scene 1 line 60). This shows irony because Creon keeps saying any man who defies him will be punished, but Antigone is the one who goes against him. This shows how Creon is ignorant and how he rushes to conclusions believing that only a man could do this when it was Antigone. This shows Creon as sexist and that he is an ignorant man. Creon showed dramatic irony when he said, “As long as I am king…” (Scene 1 line 49). This shows irony because he was prideful and we knew he would not be king for long. Creon was being prideful and cocky even though he will not be king for much longer. This shows that Creon as a character was very
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Creon's Pride In Antigone
915 Words | 2 Pages
With disrespect comes a multitude of other character qualities, including selfishness. In this case, Creon’s pride was heavily intertwined with his selfishness, and was prominently displayed throughout the play. An example of this is exposed when Haemon attempts to offer advice to Creon, saying that the people of Thebes would like to see Antigone live, for the laws of religion dictated that all men be buried with honor. All Creon does is rebuke his son, saying, “And is Thebes about to tell me how to rule?” (821). Creon’s pride and selfishness shows how he cares only about himself, and that he simply ignores those who do not agree with him or his laws. Another instance of this is uncovered when Creon tells Haemon that he himself will kill Antigone. Even after his son bolts from the room, saying that Creon will never see him again, Creon does nothing. He believes that his self-righteous attitude and laws trumps his family, confirming the idea that he only cares about himself and does not listen to others, all because of his
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How Does Antigone Differentiate Between Power And Authority
405 Words | 1 Pages
Creon showed destruction in leadership through the lack of perspective, humanity and personal philosophy. Although he is king, he fail to understand that his power is restricted to a certain level and that the Gods are the ones that have complete authority. He is so self-centered that he talks about how he can break Antigone. To support this he states, No? Believe me, the stiffest stubborn wills fall the hardest; the toughest iron, tempered strong in the white-hot fire, you'll see it crack and shatter first of all (Sophocles 521-538). The story of Creon also reflects the nature of mankind and its natural instincts that drives one to compete and survive. A man’s desire for power is something that has always driven the course of history. Creon thinks that everything he do and say is always correct. For example, Antigone tells him she buried her brother because he was out in the cold and he does not have any sympathy for her. The fact that Creon does not see his faults, many events takes place that are very tough for the
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Creon is the Tragic Hero in Sophocles' Antigone
1432 Words | 3 Pages
Creon's noble quality is his caring for Antigone and Ismene when their father was persecuted. Creon is a very authoritative person and demands control of others. When talking to the Chorus, Creon does not ask them to agree with the decree but demands that they follow it. Creon expects loyalty from others. It is apparent that Creon is very dominating and wants to be in control. "The man the city sets up in authority must be obeyed in small things and in just but also in their opposites"(717-719). Through this quote the reader realizes that Creon wants obedience in everything he decides even if he is at fault. "There is nothing worse than disobedience to authority" (723-724). Further supporting Creon's belief that everyone shall remain faithful to him even if he rules unfairly. This is proved true when Creon says, "Should the city tell me how I am to rule them?" (790).
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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
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Analyzing Antigone and Creon
1299 Words | 3 Pages
In the play, Sophocles examines the nature of Antigone and Creon who have two different views about life, and use those views against one another. Antigone who is depicted as the hero represents the value of family. According to Richard Braun, translator of Sophocles Antigone, Antigone’s public heroism is domestically motivated: “never does [Antigone] give a political explanation of her deed; on the contrary, from the start [Antigone] assumes it is her hereditary duty to bury Polynices, and it is from inherited courage that [Antigone] expects to gain the strength required for the task” (8). Essentially, it is Antigone’s strong perception of family values that drive the instinct to disobey Creon’s orders and to willingly challenge the King’s authority to dictate her role in society.
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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.
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Comparing Sophocles' Antigone and Jean Anouilh's Antigone
2301 Words | 5 Pages
Sophocles, following the Greek standard of tragedy, casts Creon as the tragic hero plagued by his own pride, inflexibility and power. Creon believes his authority to be twofold, both as the king and as the head of his family. He claims that the throne is the source of all power, saying ?whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed ? must be obeyed, in all things, great and small, just and unjust? (Sophocles 217), and he demands the utmost allegiance from his son, bidding him to ?subordinate everything else?to [his] father?s will? (Sophocles 216). Creon is filled with hubris, and he rejects any solution that might compromise his image. For instance, when the guards escort Antigone to the palace, he demands of the Choragos, ?Who is the man...
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Examples Of Creon In Antigone

Creon's Failure

Creon in Sophocles' Antigone