Antigone - RR

Melicia Bharioo
Prof: Corona
EN 102
10/31/2014


Antigone - Question # 1

Describe Creon's character and the way he is portrayed in the story. What kind of leader does he sound like at the onset of the play? What would you consider his flaws? How do you know these are his flaws?


In the play Antigone, Creon is the king of Thebes and the uncle of Antigone and Ismene. My thoughts of Creon traits at the beginning of the play were that Creon was tough but yet soft. I felt he was a very tough king, but deep within he was softer. After pronouncing the ruling on one of Antigone brother Polynecices to a very dis honored burial and anyone who disobey will face death, with this I had a sense he would change his mind on the idea of death after finding out that Antigone has done the wrongful deed because she is Creon's niece after all. My predictions were wrong after reading more deep into the play. Creon is very cold hearted and selfish. He seeks only to gain power and dignity from the people of the country and he does not care how much it cost or what it takes for him to get there. He is portrayed as the king where the ones below him is afraid to speak or walk in a way. Upon hearing from his messenger of the work done to bury Polynecies, he was furious and order the messenger to find who has done it, else he would face the consequences. I find this to be very unfair. The people of Thebes portray Creon as a savior and believes he is the superior one for assuring the people that he is doing the best he can to save the citizens and the Country. With Polyneices having to go against his own country trying to destroy and burn his city down, Creon declares that he should face a dark burial fed to the dogs and birds. I would consider Creon flaws to be the kind that see himself as the only one who can do the job as king. He believes that he is superior than women because he insisted on keeping his word to death to anyone who has disobeyed him in burying Polynecies even though he know it was Antigone who has done it, his blood related niece. Creon kept his word and imprisoned her because he doesn't want to loose to a woman where Antigone will be the one to win over him if he does not fullfill his deed. Antigone is also Creon's son fiancé. Creon still insisted in the death of Antigone, even though Antigone and his son Haemon shares a deep relationship. He showed no emotion, and does not believe in love. Creon is a person who does not show any love, emotion or some sort of humor in anyway. He only believes in power and to be the superior one.