Sophocles The Classic Greek Tragedy - 1242 Words

In the classic Greek tragedy, Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon portrays the characteristics of a tragic protagonist. As a tragic protagonist, Creon is faced with a very difficult dilemma. He has to choose either to abide by his law and punish Antigone, or to abide by the laws of the gods and forgive Antigone and let her bury Polynices. His councilors did everything in their power to advice him. However, when he realized the outcome of his decisions, it was too late. Creon’s choices brought him from a respected king, to a fool who lost everything he loved because of Hubris, or in other words his arrogance. Creon had to make a decision after Antigone was caught red-handed. He had to choose either the between his laws of not burying Polynices,†¦show more content†¦HAEMON: A one-man state? What sort of state is that? CREON: Why, does not every state belong to its ruler? (146) During the whole ordeal of choosing the right decision on his dilemma, Creon showed Hubris to whoever he talked to. When he talked to Antigone he has an excessive amount of pride in not letting her bury the body of Polynices no matter how many time Antigone tried to tell him that she followed the gods’ law, not his. ANTIGONE: Yes. That order did not come from God. Justice, That dwells with the gods below, knows no such law. I did not think your edicts strong enough To overrule the unwritten unalterable laws Of God and heaven, you being only a man. (138) However, Creon was to proud to listen to anyone and he believed that his orders were above anything. â€Å"CREON: She gloats over her deed. But, as I live, /She shall not flout my orders with impunity.† (139). After Creon has made his decision of denying the right of Antigone to bury the body of Polynices and sending her away, the blind prophet by the name of Teiresias comes to visit Creon. Teiresias brings news of the gods’ view on Creon’s decision. He tells Creon that the gods will bring upon suffering for the horrible acts of letting a human body rot and be eaten by wild creatures, unblessed by the gods. TEIRESIAS: You shall have given a son of your own loins To death, in payment for death-two debts to pay: One for the life that you have sent to