This paper contrasts and compares the characters of Creon in the play, "Antigone" by Sophocles and Henry in Arthur Ramsdell Gurney's play, "Another Antigone."
Abstract The paper is a comparison of two plays, and two characters. The author discusses the characters, Creon in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles, and Henry in the play, "Another Antigone," by Arthur Ramsdell Gurney. These two characters are the protagonists in each of their respective plays. The paper examines how their actions affect the outcome of the plays and how their similar characteristics lead to similar outcomes in the stories being told.
From the Paper "In Gurney's Another Antigone, Judy Miller, becomes more of a villainous character, due to her self-absorption which eventually leads her to assume and accuse others of ethnic discrimination. When she learns of the power that students actually have - a power of which she was previously unaware - she then uses it against Harper in precisely the same manner that she imagines it might have been used against her. After realizing that the professors actually need the backing of the students they teach, Miller first agrees to help Harper by telling others about a course he is hoping to teach, but then, when Harper foolishly makes a statement that Miller perceives as anti-Semitic, her ever-present, ever-simmering anger erupts once again, and she abruptly changes her mind."
Abstract This paper follows the transformation of Creon in two of Sophocles' plays "Oedipus the King" and "Antigone." Throughout the course of the two plays, Creon transforms from an innocent spectator in "Oedipus the King," to a corrupt ruler and tragic figure in "Antigone." Creon's character in "Oedipus the King" depicts a kind, selfless and forgiving person. His good nature allows him to value the opinion of the people of Thebes. Yet in "Antigone," Creon uses his power as a king to punish and dictate laws without the consent of the people of Thebes. The writer contends that Creon's transformation which leads to his own suffering manages to invoke pity from those who dislike his character. A perfect ending for a tragic play.
From the Paper "Creon's character in Oedipus the King shows a kind, selfless, and forgiving person. His good nature allows him to value the opinion of the people of Thebes. As he expresses in a speech to Oedipus and the citizens of Thebes, "I stand / In all men's favor, I am all men's friend." Creon is loved by the Thebans and they manifest this in their loyalty towards him. In the midst of Oedipus' troubles he accuses Creon of being a traitor. To devise the proper punishment, Oedipus asks the Thebans to decide on Creon's fate: death or banishment. The Thebans respond in Creon's favor."
Abstract In the play, "Oedipus the King", and in "Antigone", Sophocles has Creon as one of the central characters. This paper argues that a first look at Creon in the two plays suggests that Creon's character has changed substantially. However, a closer look reveals that Creon remains the same basic character, only differing in appearance because of the situations he is in.
From the Paper "The first character trait that defines Creon is his pride. This trait is clear in Antigone, where it is the major reason he refuses to change the law and allow Antigone to bury her brother, despite her many pleas. Creon initially makes the law out of a need to save Thebes. He is then unable to even consider changing the law, as doing so would show that he was wrong to make the law. In this way, his driving force is his pride. Creon's actions in refusing to allow Antigone to bury her brother is often considered a sign of Creon's cruel nature. This view fails to notice that, while the outcome may seem like cruelty to Antigone, Creon's intention is not to be cruel. Therefore, a tendency toward cruelty should not be considered as part of Creon's character. Instead, the outcome is a result of Creon's character trait of pride. Creon's motivation of pride is also seen where he makes the decision to send Antigone to her death. In deciding this Creon says, "For since I have taken her, alone of all the city, in open disobedience, I will not make myself a liar to my people-I will slay her" (Sophocles, Antigone)."
Abstract This paper offers a character analysis of Creon in the play Oedipus the King, with an emphasis on human nature. One aspect of human nature that is explored is what Aristotle referred to as the art of rhetoric. The paper's main focus is Creon's use of the art of persuasion. The paper uses Aristotle's "Rhetoric" as the basis for the analysis, and as a secondary source.
From the Paper ?Sometimes persuasion is only glorified manipulation, and other times persuasion is truly the heartfelt sentiment of the speaker. Either way, in the eyes of the Greek philosophers persuasion is form of art. While Creon defends himself from the accusations of Oedipus he taints his words with succulent messages of pathos, logos and ethos... When comparing Creon's speech to Aristotle's guidelines for successful rhetoric we can see that Creon speaks in a manor that renders him "worthy of confidence" (17)."
Abstract This paper examines how, in Sophocles' "Antigone", the tragic hero of the play is Creon. It discusses how, although Antigone seems to be the tragic hero of the story, Creon meets Aristotle's criteria of a tragic hero as well as Antigone, if not more completely and, how, unlike Antigone, Creon has an epiphany at the end of the play and realizes his mistakes.
From the Paper "Although Antigone seems to be the tragic hero, Creon actually meets Aristotle's criteria of a tragic hero more completely. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is neither completely pure nor completely evil. Not only is a tragic hero neither completely pure nor completely evil, but a tragic hero must also be of noble birth and possess a hamartia that causes the downfall of that character through poor judgment and arrogant mistakes. As the king of Thebes and the son of a previous king, Creon certainly meets the criteria of noble birth. Also, Creon is neither entirely evil nor entirely good. He possesses many good qualities as well as many evil ones."
Abstract The paper shows that within the two plays by the ancient Grecian writer, Sophocles we find two very different men encompassed within one character, Creon the Prince who would become King. It shows that the events that unfold to cause such dramatic change in one mans life come at an extreme cost to all involved, but none greater than Creon himself who failed to learn from history and was truly doomed to repeat it.
From the Paper "In the prologue of Act one of Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) we meet Creon, prince of Thebes and brother to Jocasta. Creon essentially is a man of virtue in high standing within the community, third in line for the throne although he shows no desire to ascend to the seat of power. Creon appears to be a man of high moral and religious character depicted by the fact that Oedipus had commissioned him to go to Apollo to ascertain the cause of the plague that had descended upon the city of Thebes. He showed not only did he have the ability to converse with the god, but he was also a trusted friend to not only the city but to Oedipus as well in word and in deed diligently bringing forth the information needed to purge Thebes of the plague (91 ? 95)."
Abstract This paper examines how in "Antigone", Sophocles develops a dramatic work in which a protagonist is occupied in a morally important struggle, which results in ruin because of some extreme quality. In particular, the paper looks at how Creon, the king of Thebes, portrays both a judgment error and weakness in character. Using Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero, the paper further discusses how because of his social class, general goodness, and tragic flaw, Creon is the tragic hero and is deserving of sympathy after his mistakes take the lives of others.
From the Paper "Creon's inability to accept the ideas of others is also justified during his argument with Antigone. Antigone claims that her act of burying her brother (Polynices) was honorable, but Creon exclaims, "You are wrong. None of my subjects thinks as you do," which is followed by Antigone's reply: "Yes, sir, they do; but dare not tell you so" (ll. 437-439). Again, the king is stubborn and near-sighted to realize that maybe there is a chance that Antigone is not the only one who believes her act was heroic, which is a fatal error in judgment. When Teiresias, a blind prophet, confronts Creon about his rule based on killing and self-will, the king demonstrates his tragic flaw: "Clever you may be, but not therefore honest" (l. 919). He understands that the prophet is correct and his son will die, but it is too late to change anything. "
Abstract The paper discusses the two main characters in the ancient Greek play "Antigone" written by Sophocles. It shows how each has powerful views on politics, but they disagree on nearly every aspect of political life and law. One main conflict is that Antigone wholeheartedly believes in divine law, whereas Creon believes fully in Civil Law. The paper discusses issues such as personal principles, breadth of law, freedom, character and political and personal ethics.
From the Paper "Antigone and Creon both understand certain aspects of political life, but neither comprehends all facets of politics. Antigone is pious but unswerving in her principles. Creon desires to create a stabile community, but he is cruel and unfeeling in order to set a precedent. Sophocles does not want us to emulate Antigone or Creon. Antigone epitomizes behaviors that reinforce or destabilize the Polis. Additionally, Antigone celebrates human power in the political system, whether advantageous or not. Individuals possess the powerful and dangerous tool of persuasion that must be used cautiously. Moreover, through the phenomenon of death in the play Antigone, the distinction between what individuals should attempt to control and what should be governed by a higher power, are illuminated. Creon and Antigone believe opposite forces should wholly preside over individuals, and neither will compromise their ideals. The characters in Antigone do not attain a "happy medium" between divine law and law of the Polis. Human limitation should be addressed by incorporating both human and divine law into our lives."
Antigone and Creon are poised against each other in a battle of reasoning in Anouilh's "Antigone". This paper explores the degenerative qualities of their innate opposition.
1,106 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 38.95
Abstract Following brief, brutal conflict, the opposing qualities between Antigone and Creon prove to cause disastrous results on both sides of the opposition, though Antigone pays the greater price. Using a scholarly article entitled "Patterns of Imagery and Anouilh's Antigone" by the widely respected William Calin, this paper explores, in detail, the images associated with Antigone and Creon and what the consequences of their brutal interaction are in Anouilh's work, "Antigone". The first comparison examines Antigone's youthful naivety in comparison to Creon's aged indifference. Next, Antigone's association with nature is set against Creon's ties with civilization. In another comparison, this paper explores Antigone's beauty in comparison to Creon's ugliness. Finally, the paper delves into Creon's qualities of dominion which are thrown into upheaval by Antigone's rebelliousness. The paper closes by questioning whether or not Creon is actually victorious in spite of Antigone's death.
From the Paper "Throughout her entire argument with Creon, Antigone remains violently opposed to whatever Creon has to say; even when Creon makes a valid point to diffuse Antigone's argument, she modifies her stance just to stay in opposition with Creon. It is almost as if a law governs Antigone's personality, one that does not allow her to wholly agree on anything Creon says, thus perpetually putting her at odds, inevitably calling for her death."
Abstract This paper explains that Sophocles'"Antigone" presents the trials and tribulations of one of Oedipus' daughters, Antigone, as she attempts to fulfill the obligations she feels towards the shattered family. The author points out that the conflict between Antigone and Creon is a conflict of perceptions. The paper relates that Creon believes that one's highest duty is to respect the rules, which govern citizenship, thus complying with all city laws and edicts irrespective of personal opinions and moral codes. The author stress that, Antigone, on the other hand, within the context of her moral code, believes that the laws of a state should be compliant with divine laws. The paper states that, since Antigone thinks that Creon's edict is deemed incongruous with divine law and disrespectful of blood ties, Antigone believes that obedience towards Creon's laws would be immoral and wrong so she disobeys them at the cost of her own life.
From the Paper "Creon considers it unconscionable that someone would put their duties as a family member ahead of their duties as a citizen. "And a man who thinks more highly of a friend than of his country, well, he means nothing to me." A person who is capable of valuing his own family members over his fellow citizens has no worth as a citizen, which is the only measure of any significance as far as Creon is concerned. In his eyes, it is precisely our existence as good citizens that give value to our lives. As Howenstein explains, according to Creon, ruling is grounded in the incontestable power of the sovereign and the absolute subservience of his people."
Abstract This paper examines Sophocles's tragic Greek play, "Antigone", where characters who value love, emotions, duty, bravery, and honor, meet the characters that are full of hate, fear, carelessness, and disgrace. It shows how the brightest among them are Antigone and Creon and discusses how Antigone carries the tragic focus throughout the play, but Creon overtakes that "role" at the very end. It shows how, although Antigone suffers, waiting for her death for the most of the play, she wants to die, and she dies in glory and how, although Creon is the bad character throughout the play, only at the very end do we see that he is the real tragic figure.
From the Paper "Antigone has to go over hard times, bringing on her shoulders the shame that her father brought upon her family. Antigone has even stronger feelings about her relatives who are dead because they cannot protect themselves from peoples? gossips. Antigone cannot stand the fact that her brother Polynices lies unburied, his body being torn by the animals. And Gods are unhappy too; the body needs to be given the burial right. As Tiresias tells Creon that he had robbed the Gods below, keeping the dead body up on earth (stanza 1188). Antigone cannot let more disgrace go upon her family. She buries her brother's body with her own hands."
Abstract In Sophocles's "Antigone" and William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", two very different, yet similar, displays of power on the parts of Creon and Prospero are the basis of the plots of their respective stories. This paper explains how both Creon and Prospero use their power relations to impose their own ideals on the societies in which they live. Creon uses his power on the throne to impose his own laws and beliefs on the people, while Prospero uses his supernatural powers, ultimately, for the good of his community, as well as personal gain. It explains that these examples of power relations, as shown by Sophocles and Shakespeare, serve the purpose of demonstrating to the readers that authority figures and government are capable of imposing whatever they wish on the people, in some cases causing unnecessary grief for many.
From the Paper "Traditionally, authority figures tend to flaunt their power in search of personal gain and intimidation. In The Tempest, Prospero uses his magical powers to employ the use of a servant and a spirit to assist him in his personal chores and to keep the island running smoothly. In Antigone, Creon uses his royal power, more or less, to his personal advantage, with no obvious benefit to society. Prospero's supernatural abilities are made evident when Miranda accuses him, ?by your art thy dearest father, you have / put the wild waters in this roar.?(Shakespeare, I. ii. 1-2). In light of this, one may be led to believe that Prospero is trying to hurt those on the ship who have hurt him in the past but, in fact, Prospero only creates this storm out of love for his daughter who is in search of a mate, and Ferdinand, who is on board the ship seems to be a logical candidate. Prospero ensures that no one is harmed by the storm by sending his spirit, Aerial, to keep watch over the ship."
Tags: authoritative, ferdinand, grief, law, moral, power
Abstract In this article, the writer presents a detailed examination of the Shakespearean character Othello as a tragic hero. The writer discusses the character Othello, as held against the standards of philosopher Aristotle and compared to the character of Creon in Sophocles. The writer explores the six attributes that Aristotle believed were needed to become a tragic hero and argues that Othello fits this description more completely and convincingly than Creon did. The writer concludes that when it comes to Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero Othello clearly outpaces Creon in all six categories of definition.
Outline:
Introduction
Comparing the Characters to the Six Elements
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Aristotle there are six significant elements to being labeled a tragic hero. They include nobility and greatness, imperfection, faults or a downfall, punishment exceeding a crime, in other words the misfortune of the hero is not completely deserved by the hero, and there must be a discovery of self or something learned by the hero during the tragedy itself. The final criterion is that the audience is not left feeling a total sense of loss or sadness. When one holds Creon from Sophocles and Othello, from the play Othello against each other one can easily see that Othello is the more convincing tragic hero of the two."
Abstract This research paper is an examination of the play Antigone by Sophocles. It proves how the author intended for both the characters Antigone and Creon to be tragic figures. Specifically, it expands on the themes of the play that contribute to both characters? downfall: Antigone's devotion to her family and her own internal character flaws and Creon's obsession with the state and his personal defects.
From the Paper "A careful analysis of the play Antigone will show that Sophocles intended for both Antigone and Creon to be tragic figures. Antigone's devotion to her family combined with her character flaws lead to her death. Similarly, Creon's love of the state together with his own innate defects cause his downfall. The themes that permeate the play also illustrate the inclusion of both the main characters as part of the tragedy. "
Tags: flaws, sophocles, tragic, play, theme, character, symbol
Abstract This study will examine the moral decision of Antigone, in Sophocles' play Antigone, to bury her dead brother against the legal decree of Creon, the King of Thebes. Antigone grants that her brother Polyneices has indeed broken the law by trying to take over Thebes (the reason that Creon wants to disallow his burial), but Antigone argues that there is a higher law than the legal code, a higher law which is based on the sacred tie of blood relations. She argues that the gods support her in her effort to bury her brother.
From the Paper "This study will examine the moral decision of Antigone, in Sophocles' play Antigone, to bury her dead brother against the legal decree of Creon, the King of Thebes. Antigone grants that her brother Polyneices has indeed broken the law by trying to take over Thebes (the reason that Creon wants to disallow his burial), but Antigone argues that there is a higher law than the legal code, a higher law which is based on the sacred tie of blood relations. She argues that the gods support her in her effort to bury her brother. The decision may cost her her life, but she is determined to do everything she can to follow and abide by what she sees as a higher moral calling. After an examination of the decision itself, this study will apply the ethical theories of Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham to that decision."
