Creon A Man Of The People - 868 Words

In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon appears to be a man of the people, but he reveals his true self as a merciless tyrant when Antigone buries her brother, Polynices. Creon declares that the state of Thebes has been disturbed by the death of Polynices and Eteocles as he reassures the citizens of Thebes that the country is safe again. Creon dictates that Eteocles, the patriot who defended the city, will be buried while Polynices, the traitor who fought against Thebes, will be left unburied. Creon explains to his citizens, â€Å"But whoever proves his loyalty to the state–/ I’ll prize that man in death as well as life† (234-235). Creon promises to reward citizens who are loyal and obedient to the state even after their death. At this point, Creon appears to use his power to bring the citizens of Thebes together as a state. However, after Creon discovers that Polynices has been buried, he is convinced that the citizens have betrayed him and demands that his guards find the criminal in one day. Creon shouts at his sentry, â€Å"I swear to Zeus as I still believe in Zeus, / if you don’t find the man who buried that corpse, / the very man, and produce him before my eyes, / simple death won’t be enough for you† (345-348). By swearing to Zeus, Creon attempts to assume the authority of the gods because he knows the citizens will respect Zeus even if they don’t respect his order. When Creon demands, â€Å"find the very man†, he forces the guards to fulfill his orders to save their lives. When CreonShow MoreRelatedWomen s Oppression Of Women1657 Words   |  7 Pagespowers, enslaving flightless and chirp less birds. Birds may be benevolent and gentle, yet they embody a power most ferocious amongst all creatures. Though, it is of no fascination as to why women, in being similar to birds, transform from powerful peoples to frail figures. The molestation of power from these birds is done by the hindering cage encompassing them. The thick bars of oppression slice the wings of the benevolent beings, strip the voice of the once vociferous, and above all destroy the benignRead MoreAntigone: Catharsis Analysis Essay1138 Words   |  5 PagesNumberless are the worlds wonders, but none More wonderful than man (Ode 1 1-2). Landscapes like the grand canyon, the wide expanse of oceans, weather, tall mountains are all magnificent features, but none as great as Man. Man is the only thing in this world, that has free will to think about anything or do anything whenever they want to. If one wants to dance, he or she is free to do so, if one wants to sing he or she can do so. Man can also feel emotions such as happiness, sadness, or even confusionRead MoreCreon as Tragic Hero1586 Words   |  7 PagesTragedy at its Finest In the Greek play Antigone, Creon and Antigone can both be claimed the title of Tragic Hero. Creon was made king when Oedipus Rex fled the kingship. Creon is the brother in law of Oedipus, and was giving the kingship only because Oedipus’s sons, Eteocles and Polyneices were killed trying to fight for the thrown. Antigone is Oedipus’s daughter and Creon’s niece. When it comes down to who the tragic hero is, Creon most definitely walks away with the title. A tragic heroRead MoreSophocles Antigone - The Tragic Hero1306 Words   |  6 Pagesdivine law versus man-made state laws. These are presented through the characters Antigone and Creon, respectively. According to Aristotle, a tragedy is defined as: â€Å"A hero destroyed by the excess of his virtues†. The dictionary definition of the word hero is â€Å"a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character†. In aggreement with this definition, the hero in Sophocle’s Antigone would be the brave and loyal Antigone; so the opposing force and tragic hero would be Creon and he representsRead MoreTheme Of Self Image Of Creon And Okonkwo1009 Words   |  5 Pagesself-image of Creon and Okonkwo â€Å"He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command-Niccolo Machiavelli†. In the novel â€Å"Things fall apart† by Chinua Achebe and the play â€Å"Antigone† by Sophocles, the leading men who rise to power try to fulfill their perceptions of leadership. In â€Å"Antigone† Creon the king becomes the ruler of Thebes after his two nephews killed each other at battle; he must try to civilize his nation and act in the image of a true leader. Okonkwo starts of respectable man who plans onRead MoreAntigone Role of Women1366 Words   |  6 Pagespolitics let alone vote. They would have to stay inside their house unless it was a festival and be accompanied by a guardian. For Sophocles to have a bold resilient character such as Antigone, many people at the time were most likely astonish by Antigone behavior and her resistant to powerful men such as Creon. Antigone went against want society thought she should act. Antigone was determined to obey the law of t he gods regardless of the consequences she would face including death. â€Å"I’ll still bury himRead More Oedipus and Creon in Sophocles Oedipus the King Essay1128 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus and Creon in Sophocles Oedipus the King   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At first glance, Oedipus and Creon are two very different people. But as time progresses their personalities and even their fates grow more and more similar. In Sophocles’s play â€Å"Oedipus the King†, Oedipus and Creon are two completely opposite people. Oedipus is brash and thoughtless, whilst Creon is wise and prudent. In â€Å"Oedipus the King†, Oedipus effectively portrays the idea of the classic â€Å"flawed hero†. He becomes arrogant and brash.Read MoreEssay on Oedipus Versus Creon1141 Words   |  5 PagesOedipus Versus Creon At first glance, Oedipus and Creon are two very different people. But as time progresses their personalities and even their fates grow more and more similar. In Sophocless play Oedipus the King, Oedipus and Creon are two completely opposite people. Oedipus is brash and thoughtless, whilst Creon is wise and prudent. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus effectively portrays the idea of the classic flawed hero. He becomes arrogant and brash. He accuses Creon and Tiresias ofRead MoreCreons Role of King and His Responsibilities1273 Words   |  6 Pagesresponsibility to the people and because of the effects of the position on the kings character. Creon reveals such ambivalent thoughts towards the kingship in his speech defending himself from Oedipuss conspiracy accusation in Oedipus the King; these ambivalent thoughts reveal much about the nature of the kingship, especially in conjunction with Creons later actions in Antigone. In attempting to refute Oedipuss assertion that Creon has taken part in a conspiracy to obtain the kingship, Creon evaluatesRead More Antigone Essay examples1465 Words   |  6 Pages One commentator has argued in quot;Antigonequot; that Antigones quot;view of what is right is as twisted as that of Creon.quot; Although I do not believe that either Antigones or Creons view is quot;twisted,quot; I do believe that their fate is a direct result of their extreme pride and stubbornness. In quot;Antigone,quot; Sophocles examines the conflict between the requirements of human and divine law that is centered on the burial of Polynices, Antigones brother and Creons nephew