Creon Antigone Analysis

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Chanakya, an old teacher, philosopher and royal adviser, once said, “It is better to be without a king, than to have a bad one.” In the traditional play Antigone written by Sophocles in 442 B.C.E., it can be argued whether or not the city of Thebes is better off without Creon as a ruler. In the play, Creon has proven himself to be a strict and conceded ruler, taking no opinion but his own. Many of his loyal subjects are frightened by him and prefer not to endure his company. The Sentry, too afraid to tell the King the news of the burial of Polyneices, even trembles before him. Creon makes the command that no man will say a prayer or bury Polyneices for he was a trader. Antigone argues to herself that Creon’s law is against the law of the Gods …show more content…
In this case it is Creon who lets pride and arrogance stand in the way of being the more favorable ruler. Aristotle once said, “He who is to be a good ruler must have first been ruled.” Creon does not allow anyone to give him an opinion or advice. Throughout the play, no one is even brave enough to speak their opinion. There are only two that even dare or have slight authority to advise Creon how to rule. The first was his son, Haimon. Haimon comes to his father out of concern for his reputation. “Your temper terrifies them -- everyone will tell you only what you like to hear. But I, at any rate, can listen; and I have heard them muttering and whispering in the dark about this girl.” At this, Creon is only offended and replies with arrogance. “You consider it right for a man of my years and experience to go to school to a boy?” It seems that Creon not only does not care what the citizens think of him as a King but does not consider the concerning words from his own son. The only other person that has a say over the ruling of the Kingdom is the prophet, Teiresias. You would think that a King would value and respect the wisdom of a prophet but Creon’s reaction was the exact opposite. Once again his pride and arrogance has caused him to disrespect or undermine anyone who talks the slightest opposing opinion against his judgement. Only after making a jerk of himself does he heed the …show more content…
She shows a great deal of loyalty, perseverance, and bravery in pursuing what she feels is the right thing to do. Antigone is so loyal to her brother, Polyneices, in burying his body she did so even if everyone was silenced by fear including her sister; she did so knowing that it would be the cause of her death. “...if my husband died, I could have wedded another; if I had lost a child , I could have another child; but with my mother and father both gone to the world below, I will never have another brother.” The bravery Antigone possesses is a very favorable trait in a leader if in consideration to be. Bravery is said to be a courageous act when overcoming fear but Antigone did not express a hint of fear when all the others did before Creon. When her own sister warns her that, “...no one must hear of this,” Antigone tells her to, “Tell
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