Creon. Inocent man, or guilty criminal?

Julian Teeple

Ms. Peifer

English 10IB

November 24, 2008

Creon. Innocent Man, or Guilty Criminal?

Creon is the king of the land. His word is that of the gods. He could never say wrong or cause harm. Or could he? Not only did Creon deny Antigone the right to bury her brother, but made punishment for doing it death. Creon was even cruel to his own son, telling him that he was infatuated with a girl, and not concerned about his father. He took his power as king to say who could receive honor for the same action. Even after he had imprisoned Antigone, he was still under the impression that he was right, until the blind prophet flat out told him he was wrong. Creon obviously has not shown innocence.

Creon declared that anyone who was caught burying an enemy of Thebes would be put to death. The brother to Antigone and Ismene was killed fighting against Thebes, but is still related. Already he is showing an unjust punishment for something that is simply classical Greek honor. Antigone was only going to bury her brother, who had already lost honor due to the fight. She was attempting to preserve what little he had left, before his desecrated body was eaten entirely by the animals he fought against. What type of barbarity would allow something like this? A man’s honor being eaten, even in death, all because he was once enemy to the great city of Thebes. He was even born of royal blood, however, even royalty can be reduced to nothing, and their family killed by a selfish king, A king like Creon.

After Creon’s son Haimon heard the news of the death sentence on Antigone, he went to talk to his father. After long talk with his son, Creon declares “Thou woman's slave, use not wheedling speech with me.” Sopocles. He told his own son that he is nothing but a slave to women. Haimon, who was slated to marry Antigone is now also paying for his father’s ignorance with his happiness. Haimon told Creon that valor and truth should have no age, when questioned, he replied with “In nothing that is not right but if I am young, thou shouldest look to my merits, not to my years.” Sophocles.

An enemy of Thebes may not receive any glory after death, or so said Creon. Even an enemy of state still has friends and siblings. Not allowing them the simple freedom of being able to die with honor is a cruelty in itself for the time. Creon was showing another example of un just behavior. He forbade the brother of Antigone to have glory on the battlefield solely because he was fighting against him. In the times, honor was very important, as was displayed by Achillies in the Iliad. Was he not of the same blood that he was fighting? Creon certainly didn’t think so, and showed it by sentencing Antigone to imprisonment and death for the simple act of pouring ceremonial wine, and covering in dust.

Creon was an un just ruler. He took his power as king and decided who had the right to an honorary burial and entombment. In the end, his actions proved him un noble. He claimed divine right to say who could be buried, and he was wrong. Not only did he learn the error of his ways by way of having Antigone’s blood on his hands, but the blood, both metaphorical and physical, blood of his son and wife. They simply wanted reason, but for fear of loosing credibility, he payed the ultimate price. Vengeance from the gods, and the death of anyone he held dear. Crime is not always black and white.