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Character Analysis Of Creon In Sophocles 'Antigone'

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Creon’s conflict involves two choices that seem equally righteous—that is, between the stability of the state and obedience to divine law. Initially, he wants to protect his people and stand against all odds. He is willing to listen to advice, take no man who does not support Thebes as his friend, and bury all bodies according to divine law. Instead, Creon opposes the gods’ law and does not follow through with his initial plans. Therefore, his tragic flaw is hubris, or excessive pride that causes his transgression again the gods. It also marks the change from democracy to dictatorship. Some of his errors in judgement include making decisions because of narcissism, not including the gods’ law, refusing to bury the body, and condemning Antigone to death in the cave so he is not blamed for disobeying the gods’ law. …show more content…

Four people try to convince Creon of the errors of his actions. Antigone’s justification for burying her brother’s body is to honor and respect him, thus following the gods’ law and proving loyalty to her brother and respect for the gods. Haemon’s appeal voices the peoples’ support, Antigone’s righteous behavior, and confesses his love for her. Teiresias’ prophecy foreshadows Creon’s punishment, or two debts, if he disobeys the laws of the

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“The one in the grave before her death, the other, dead, denied the grave. This is your crime.” (scene 5 lines 80-83). Tragically, Creon did not change his mind until it was too late. Finally, he realized, “the laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them to the last day of his life!”

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In the short story titled “Antigone,” the author portrays Creon as a tragic hero by displaying flaws in Creon's character shown throughout the story. Creon’s character contains many flaws which lead to many problems. His decisions end up deciding the fates of his son, his wife, and Antigone. Creon finally realizes that what he has done is sinful to the gods. He has put his own pride over the appreciation of the gods.

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625 Words | 3 Pages

His pride keeps him from admitting that his actions against Antigone and her brother went against the customs of the gods and were wrong. Upon hearing about the death of his son and wife, he mourns by taking responsibility for their deaths, explaining himself as “the frantic man who killed my son, against my meaning, and you too, my wife”(Ant.1340-1). Through all of his grief and suffering, not once does he acknowledge or make it known that this was all brought about because of his refusal to lay aside his pride and follow the laws of the gods. Creon is in denial about the underlying consequences of his prideful

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298 Words | 2 Pages

Creon is a very stubborn man because he was the king of Thebes,Antigone challenged his decree,by burying Polynices. Creon is a stubborn man because he refused to bury his own nephew, he thought his nephew was a traitor. “They say that has sworn,no one shall bury him,no one mourn for him,but his body must lie in the fields,a sweet treasure,for carrion birds to find as they search for food”(line 19-23 page 970),By saying no one shall bury him and no one mourn for him Creon is showing how stubborn he is, He’s not only saying that he won’t do it, but other people can’t do it either. Creon’s law is an example of how stubborn he is because he doesn't care of what other people think,only what he thinks matter.

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813 Words | 4 Pages

In his fury of her “pridefulness,” he gives her the worst kind of punishment which is death. He makes a rash decision based on how Antigone acted towards him and that really affected the story. Like other tragic heroes, Creon made a regretful decision thinking he was doing what was right even if it would change everything dramatically. It also contributes to the theme of wisdom in the play because Creon was not so wise making these decisions. He made a decision based on Antigone’s actions and no one could convince him to change it because of his stubborn

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964 Words | 4 Pages

In the first scene of the play we meet Creon. The overly prideful power hungry King of the City of Thebes. His City has recently been met with terrible strife as his nephew Polyneices has attacked the former leader Eteocles. Being abruptly placed into power so soon after the city lost their previous leader, Creon needs to show his people that he is a strong trustworthy leader.

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735 Words | 3 Pages

In the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, the story tells a tale of a tragic hero. Who lost everything due to his own. This thriller describes a story between blood,Creon and Antigone, an uncle and niece. Creon becomes new ruler of Thebes and as king he forbids anyone to bury his nephew Polyneices meaning anyone who does will be executed. Knowingly Antigone attempts to bury her brother.

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442 Words | 2 Pages

How would you define an as a leader? A leader is an individual others admire or look up to. In the play Antigone , Sophocles writes about a young woman who defies the law of her uncle, King Creon. Because of her actions, Creon punished her. By the end of the play, Creon regrets his decisions which led to various relative deaths.

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With Creon having too much ego, it initiated all the conflicts that arose. He won 't listen to anyone, even when Teiresias tells him his truthful prophecy he thinks that he is being paid off. Creon has a certain cockiness that no one in their right mind would bare. Soon Creon suffers a peripeteia, which he was warned about from many. A king, with a kingdoms submission, is easily above others; but they still suffer.

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713 Words | 3 Pages

As such, when determining culpability, Creon is responsible for the deaths of Antigone, Haemon, and his wife. Despite the fact that Creon made a decision that was in accordance with the law and the legitimacy of the throne, he failed to realize that he had a responsibility towards his family, namely his son and his wife, in addition to the people who he governed. Sophocles also depicts that Creon had a responsibility to bend to the will of God, which trumped his responsibility towards the law. In the play, Antigone informs Creon that the laws of God “ were, and shall be, Operative for ever, beyond man utterly” (Sophocles). After the tragic deaths of his wife and son, Creon is informed by the Chorus that there is “No wisdom but in submission to the gods” (Sophocles).

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552 Words | 3 Pages

In the play "Antigone" by Sophocles, Antigone rightfully decides to bury her brother, Polynices, but when the king, Creon, finds out, she does not repent for her actions. She is a woman that stands for what she thinks is right, which in this case is that Creon is wrong for condemning the burial of her brother. She shows braveness with her actions because not all people have the courage to risk their own lives so that their brother can rest in peace. For instance, Ismene states "What? You 'd bury him – when a law forbids the city?"

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1092 Words | 5 Pages

The reader feels pity for Creon for his lack of time to grieve and his tragic mistake that led to the loss of his family, this demonstrates his goodness. Creon, recently succeeded to take the throne of Eteocles, making him king. Therefore, giving him the title of royalty and showing superiority. His power and control over Thebes makes him important, and this power and importance leads to a lack of mercy for criminals.. CREON. I have summoned you here this morning because I know that I can depend on you: your devotion to King Laius was absolute; you never hesitated in your duty to our late ruler Oedipus; and

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1133 Words | 5 Pages

Creon had many reason too next in line to rule Thebes. His motivation was just and honorable; therefore, making him the protagonist. Creon’s law is justified by reason. Since Thebes had two rulers, the people must have been divided on who was the best fit ruler just as the people of the United States compare the Presidential candidates. However, when the brothers go to war with each other the people also go to war, creating tension even after

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882 Words | 4 Pages

Countless times, Creon was implored to change his mind to preserve the safety of others. However, due to his uncompromising and egocentric nature, he repeatedly denied this aid, and therefore caused the tragedies of the deaths of his niece and his son. The events that occurred in the play Antigone accurately represent the characteristics of a tragic flaw and subsequent suffering that define a

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489 Words | 2 Pages

From world wars to present day national elections, pride can always be connected to many appalling, life-changing issues. Pride has always either been negative or positive, and it has been around forever. In the epic play Antigone, Sophocles demonstrates how Creon’s hubris allows for the downfall of himself and the killing of his family. Creon’s fatal flaw is his hubris. Creon not only loses his family, he also loses the trust of his people.

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