Antigone Essay

Creon firmly believes in being a strong leader for the people and displaying the qualities of loyalty, friendship, and power. However, he allows himself to excessively abuse his authority. With so much authority entitled to him, he becomes stubborn, arrogant, and ignores all voices of wisdom or reason. In total, arrogance and stubbornness contribute to his traumatic downfall, but his fascination of being a powerful and superior figure ultimately brings him to ruin.

As a ruler, Creon strives for the well-being of the people and kingdom. He states "I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly; and I need hardly to remind you that I would never have any dealings with an enemy of the people" (819, 35-37). He also believes in loyalty to his people and friendship. "No one values friendship more highly than I" (819, 39-40). Other than attempting to be a good leader, Creon posses a strong relationship with his son Haimon, who highly respects his father. "I am your son father, you are my guide." "You make things clear for me, and I obey you." "No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom." To Haimon, Creon is an excellent guide, father, and wisdom figure. However, every good person acquires a flaw that hinders their character and personality, and for Creon it was obsession with power.

After the rebellious uprising of Polyneices, Creon wants to ensure that there will never another individual threatening or challenging his authority. He first reveals his flaw when he decided that Polyneices was not to receive a proper burial which goes against the law of the gods. It was a cruel and harsh punishment he ordered to instill fear in those who even thought about breaking his laws. "No man is to touch him or say the least prayer fir him; he shall lie on the plain, unburied; and the birds and scavenging dogs can do whatever they like"(819, 56-60). Despite his orders, the loyal Antigone carries out her burial plan, knowing that the consequence might result in death. After hearing word of it, Creon grows paranoid and suspects that people are planning to overthrow his rule. "Stiff-necked anarchist, putting their heads together, scheming against me always...Crookedness of all kinds all for money!"(821, 141-149).

Creon harshly punishes Antigone by sentencing her to death just to prove that no one is exempt from the law, not even his own family. "This gives me everything." Creon knew well of his son's marital plans but without any consideration he allows his hunger for power to take away the happiness of his son. "There are places enough for him to push his plow." "I want no wicked women for my sons!"(825, 55-156). Even as Haimon talks to his father with his best interest at heart, Creon's stubbornness makes him deaf to reason or wisdom. Not only does Haimon