How Is Creon Responsible For His Own Downfall

“Some people create their own storms, then get upset when it rains.” (quotesgram).

Creon is a complex character, with many different sides to him. He himself is the storm of his own downfall. In Sophocles’ play “Oedipus Rex”, Creon is a humble man, but when he becomes king in “Antigone”, he becomes a prideful and insecure person, leading to the destruction of himself and those around him.

Creon values his family and the gods, but, when he stepped up to be king, he becomes drunken with power and pride that causes him to turn his back on family and the gods. Creon’s barbaric claims towards Oedipus, “Sister, this husband of yours, Oedipus, judges terrible things for me, choosing two evils: to forsake my fatherland or to die.” (Oedipus Rex,

Creon was once one hundred percent devoted to the well-being of the country from all causes, “It is not your place to decided; the power you had has not remained with you.” ( Oedipus Rex, Lines 1547-1548). Creon is clearly willing to follow the gods in order to show leadership to his country as they go through a hardship of finding that their dear leader is the tyrant causing trouble. Haemon tries to convince his father to see his wrongdoings, “Don't be so stubborn that you say you and you alone are right. Whoever thinks that he’s the only one who can think or use his tongue or soul, no one else--these men, when you open them up, are seen to be hollow.” (Antigone, Lines 717-720). This quote states that a man who only thinks of himself as being the right way is a blinded man; he is of no use to anyone nor himself. “The city is sick because of your counsel, for our altars and all our hearts are defiled by and dogs with carrion from the corpse of the unlucky son of Oedipus…Obstinacy brings the charge of stupidity. Yield to the dead, don't kick a fallen man!” (Antigone, Lines 1018-1032). Tiresias is finally coming to Creon about the damage he is causing the city; he tells him that there is no need to hurt Polynices anymore than his own death. On one hand, Creon started off as a good leader, even though he did not want the responsibility; on the other hand, he let