Creon in "Antigone" and "Oedipus the King"

Paper Summary:

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)."

More papers on Creon in "Antigone" and "Oedipus the King":

• Analytical Essay # 67499 : "Creon's Transformation: From "Oedipus" to "Antigone"
• Term Paper # 99591 : "Sophocles and Memory"
• Persuasive Essay # 106556 : "Sophocles' Theban Plays"

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