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Shianne Santiago

Keystone English Teachers

English II

Feb. 16, 2020

Antigone - Scene One

What do we know about Creon and what can we speculate about him?  Provide evidence

(examples) from the text to support your point(s).

As of this moment so far, we have currently analyzed the prologue and first scene of the

Sophocles’ play, “Antigone.” Based on the information acquired from these two passages, there

is quite a bit that can be concluded about Creon. The first is that Creon is the current king of

Thebes and took the throne of the grand kingdom after the Oedipus exiled himself and Eteocles

and Polyneices died battling one another. The second fact about that can be noted about Creon is

that he is Antigone’s uncle, which thereby makes him her siblings’ uncle and her mother’s

sibling. These first two details about Creon is expressed by Creon himself in the first scene of

“Antigone,” as so, “you were devoted to Oedipus. Your duty then went to … Eteocles and

Polyneices, who are both now tragically killed in battle. And thus the mantle of leadership falls

to me, next in blood to that royal family,” (Sophocles). It is undeniable that Creon is Thebes’

king and Antigone’s maternal uncle. Furthermore, the third and final detail that can be deduced

about Creon is that he is of the belief that Eteocles is worthy of a proper burial but Polyneices is

not and anyone who is to bury him shall received the punishment of death because they are a

traitor. This was described in “Antigone,” by Creon like so, “Eteocles … will receive a fitting

burial, with honors befitting the greatest of heroes. Polyneices though … shall have no burial; let
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no man touch him. This king will never allow a traitor to be honored like a loyal man. Give no

support to anyone who defies my law … the penalty is indeed death,” (Sophocles). According to

this citation, it is clear to see that Creon truly feels that Polyneices, his nephew, is not entitled to

a burial because he has committed treason against the kingdom of Thebes. Although this

information about Creon is not much, it is a great insight into Creon’s character.

Apart from this, there is much that can be speculated about Creon. His character is

similar to that of other kingly figures in Greek literature, which leads us to various conjectures

about his being. First, we can theorize that Creon is immensely distrusting and paranoid. When

he was informed by his sentry that someone had buried the body of Polyneices, he immediately

assumed that a corrupted, treasonous person had done it with ill intentions. He even claimed that

one of his sentries had even been bribed to do so. This was stated by Creon in the first scene of

play, “Antigone,” as so, “No! This is the work of traitors …They have been plotting …They

have bribed my own guards to do this. That shows the corrupting power of money … decency

and honor has been ruined by the power of money,” (Sophocles). Creon did not stop to ponder if

Polyneices had been buried with a pure intent. Instead, Creon instantly believed that a person

who is against the kingdom of Thebes, someone against him, had buried Polyneices and possibly

paid the sentries to complete this task. He then proceeds to go on a tangent about the wicked

power money possesses. This can lead us to believe that Creon is distrusting and bears paranoia,

for he fears betrayal. Second, we can infer that Creon is s prideful and resolute being. Creon

refuses to even think that he possibly made a mistake by declaring that Polyneices’ body is not to

be buried by any means. He became offended at the sentry’s mere insinuation of it, which clearly

expresses that he will not go back on his word. His pride simply will not allow it. His egocentric

and unyielding attitude is displayed in the interaction between himself and the sentry in the play,
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“Antigone,” as so, “SENTRY: My voice--or your conscience? CREON: Do you dare to

question my motives? … SENTRY: But I have done nothing. CREON: Other than accept

bribes? SENTRY: You are the true judge of your people, but you have judged wrong. CREON:

No more speech. Bring me the man,” (Sophocles, Scene 1). Creon, rather than to admit his

wrongdoing and acknowledge his heavy conscience, became angry with the sentry for suggesting

that Creon had committed an error and might even felt guilt. In a fit of fury, he accused the

sentry of accepting bribes, told him to be silent and ordered him to find the person who buried

Polyneices. Creon is unable to tolerate any implication of fault in his way of ruling; he simply

cannot accept that may have been wrong. He becomes enraged when such an idea is presented

before him and lashes out at the accuser, hence the berate the sentry was subjected to. This

exchange leads us to surmise that Creon is prideful and unyielding man. Last, we can presume

that Creon’s unwavering arrogance will be the cause of his demise. As previously mentioned,

Creon bears the qualities of other figures of kingship in Greek works. The majority of these

myths result in the fall of the king because of his flawed attitude. Creon seems to possess these

traits: he is egotistical, uncompromising, paranoid, fearful, unjust, and is in a position of power.

These characteristics usually give way to their ruin. His downfall is even foreshadowed by the

Chorus in the first Ode of “Antigone,” as so, “Words and thoughts he uses to his own end. He

uses the art of politics to guide the state … He conquers all but one--only death is unconquerable

… Oh power of fate! … Never let the traitor find refuge with me! Never let my thoughts turn to

treason,” (Sophocles). The Chorus seems to hint that in the future, perhaps towards the end of the

play, his downfall will take place because he refuses to lift the ban he has placed upon

Polyneices’ body, will not admit he was wrong and will persecute Antigone for burying his

body. Creon will fall from grace because of his attitude. I truly have faith in my speculations.
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Works Cited

Sophocles. “Scene 1.” Antigone, 441AD.