In Antigone, Creon is faced with the theme, paranoia is corrupt because it blinds judgment and misleads action. Creon became king after Oedipus had been dethrone; leading the corruption of power to take action. He became fearful that there were people set against him; this causes his ill-considered decisions. When Creon’s sentry came to tell him someone went against this command, he replied with “No, from the every beginning /There have been those who have whispered together, /Stiff-necked anarchists, putting their heads together, /Scheming against me in alleys. /These are the men, /And they have bribed my own guard to do this thing. /Money! /There’s nothing in the world so demoralizing as money. /Find that man, bring him here to me, or your …show more content…
The thing is, in the story, the the townspeople are represented as the chorus. So they express their feelings about Creon stating, “fortunate is the man who has never tasted God's vengeance!/ Where once the anger of heaven has struck, the house is shaken/ For ever: damnation Rises behind each child”(Sophocles 465-467). In a way his people are mocking him, they call him lucky for not feeling the anger of the Gods because he is going against the the Gods. Being arrogant to his religion Creon creates a conflict between him, his State, and the Gods. So by being paranoid a person might ruin his connections with his friends or family. As Creon was throwing his fit of stubbornness his son tried reasoning with him. His son bringing in nature claims “ in flood-time you can see how some trees bend,/ And because they bend, even their twigs are safe,/ While stubborn trees are torn up roots and all”( Sophocles 571-573). This is easily applicable to everyone.Due to his stubbornness, that was created by his paranoia, Creon loses all positive connections in the world, making him wish death upon himself. Just as a normal person who can not live their life do to paranoia becomes
The tragic tone of Creon’s exclamation shows the regret that he feels for his destructive actions, and the use of the phrase ‘thoughtless thoughts’ indicates that he has realized that he has been exhibiting extreme foolishness. The fact that Creon’s stupidity led to the ‘slaying and dying’ of his loved ones, this is positive in that it ensures that the change will be lasting, and his mistakes will not be repeated. Consequences and losses help ensure that people will remedy their flawed qualities, and that the sacrifices of the people involved in rebellion are not in
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.
A practical man, he firmly distances himself from the tragic aspirations of Oedipus and his line.” (981) That Creon is actually trying to do something different compared to the last kings of the city he is demanding more power, respect and oyalty from his people which then gives him the right to give them the same respect as they would for him. Which is understanding, only a true leader would do anything to make sure his people are understanding about his decisions that he will
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
Creon is a very stubborn person, this leads him to make very harsh and rash decisions that he will eventually regret. “The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first.” This quote is explaining how Creon is very stubborn in his decisions and he will not change his mind. This leads to the fall of creon because him being stubborn causes most of his family to die. Creon eventually ends up sentencing Antigone to death.
Creon does not keep an open mind, and refuses to see her point of view. Antigone said she buried the body because of God’s law, but Creon puts his law above the God’s. This shows an extreme amount of pride and confidence. Another example of Creon showing hubris is when Haimon says. “It is no City if it takes orders from one voice,” (221).
In Antigone by Sophocles, the purpose of Creon’s speech is to explain his new leadership. First, Creon wants to gain the loyalty from the citizens of Thebes. A great king would first need the trust of his state in order to rule effectively. Especially, Creon would need trust from his state after the tragic events that happened beforehand, which was Polyneices and Eteocles dying. He state this fact in his speech: “I am aware, of course, that no ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office.”
“ Mistakes made by a foolish mind, cruel mistakes that bring on death.” (1406 to 1407.) In this quote, King Creon of Thebes is acknowledging that he has made tragic mistakes, because he wanted to the laws of his state, that he put in place, instead of preserving the safety of his family, which consequently lead to suffering for many. In the play Antigone, by Sophocles, the character Creon makes decisions based on what he feels is right, and refuses to pay attention to other’s advice. His stubbornness and selfishness prove fatal, and as a consequence of his moral deficiency, he kills an innocent woman, and loses his son in the aftermath.
This contributed to the fact that he was mentally lost. He had clouded judgment because of his idea of what is right for the city is the only way he would rule. As Burt describes “Creon remains adamant, and his judgment on Antigone and Ismene, along with his subsequent argument with his son, Haemon, reveals that Creon's principles are self-centered, contradictory, and compromised by his own pride, fears, and anxieties. ”(Burt). Creon can only think in his mindset and any other view to him is impossible to understand.
Creon endures one of the worst feelings possible; losing his family from his own actions. All of Creon’s foolish and prideful actions literally caused the death of his family. Creon himself even acknowledges what he has done. Creon states, “It is right that it should be.
Antigone is one of the greatest tragedies ever written by Sophocles. There is a controversial question about this play: Who is the tragic hero? Could it be Antigone or Creon? Even though the play’s name is Antigone, but as I read the story. A sensible and responsible king, Creon, is a tragic hero because of his power madness, self-righteousness, and ruthlessness.
“Persuasion is often more powerful than force” once stated by great greek fabulist Aesop, Many of the characters follow this advice throughout the story (“Aesop Quotes”.). As Creon gives a speech to his city he uses ethical appeals in hope to assert his power and make himself look like a trustworthy leader.. Antigone does not listen to this and decides to disobey her uncle, sister Ismene tries to plant logic into her head not to disobey in fear that her sister may end up dying in result. Haemon being both the son of Creon and the fiance of Antigone he should have a hard decision to make but he cannot get behind his father in putting his future wife to death. Ismene, Creon, and Haemon all use the rhetorical appeals of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos to be persuasive towards their goals.
“A city which belongs to just one man is no true city.” (lines 838-39) Throughout the play, Antigone, written by Sophocles, the character Haemon constantly tries to persuade his father, Creon, to listen to the people of his city and to become a more humble leader. Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character. Which results in the two characters having continual conflicting motivations.
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
He is stubborn, and his pride is so great, he cannot bring himself to acknowledge that he could ever wrong. King Creon also possessed the character trait of being very strict and inflexible, even though his character may have brought protection, or a sense of safety among the Theban people, even when his. When Creon is talking to Teiresias, he thinks that he is being paid off. He does not want to believe he could be wrong about Antigone. Creon even says, “Whatever you say, you will not change my will.”