Student Essay on Creon in "Antigone"

Creon in "Antigone"

Summary:   Despite the beliefs of some to the contrary, Creon in the story "Antigone" is a villian. Creon killed Antigone, in effect; he influenced his son's Haeman's suicide; and he would not allow Antigone to bury her own brother.

Creon- The Villain That He Is

Is Creon the villain of Antigone? Some say that he is, but some also believe he is not. Creon is a villain because he killed Antigone, and influenced his son's death; he wouldn't even let Antigone burry her own brother.

One very important reason why Creon is a villain is because he practically killed Antigone. He put her in a cave and was not planning on taking her out. Technically, this would be starving her, which is a form of killing. When he went back to check on her, she had already hung herself. This would be considered greatly influencing Antigone's death. He killed an innocent girl trying to do the right thing. "Creon: ...This girl's proud spirit was first in evidence when she broke the law; and now, to add insult to her injury, she gloats over her dead. But as I live, she shall not flout my orders with impunity. My sister's child- ay, where she even nearer, nearest and dearest, she should not escape full punishment- she, and her sister too, her partner, doubtless, in this burying" (pg. 139). This is saying that Creon is very upset with Antigone and obviously planning on hurting her in some way. He even suggests the idea of harming her sister, who was not included in the act at all. Antigone was just trying to bury her brother, who died in battle like her other brother. So overall, Antigone was punished with an unfair death.

Another reason that Creon is a villain is because he also influenced and caused his own son's death, along with Antigone's. "Creon: I am nothing. I have no life. Lead me away...That have killed unwittingly my son, my wife. I know not where I should turn, where look for help. My hands have done amiss, my head is bowed with fate too heavy for me" (pg. 162). This is proving that Creon understands that he has killed his son. He is even saying that it was wrong for him to do, which is very true. The reason it is true is because by killing Antigone, he shocked his son so much that he attempted to kill Creon. By doing this, Creon's son killed himself, which all started with Creon killing Antigone. Creon is clearly the villain here.

Creon would not permit the burial of Antigone's brother, who very well deserved it from Antigone's point of view. What happened was Antigone's brother was killed in battle, along with her other brother. Both men died, but since her one brother was fighting for Creon's land, he received a ceremony and burial. Antigone's other brother did not receive a burial or ceremony because he was fighting against the land. Antigone believed this was unfair and attempted to bury her brother. "Creon: Attacking his country, while the other defended it. Antigone: Even so, we have a duty to the dead. Creon: Not to give equal honor to good and bad" (pg. 140). This is showing that Creon will not give an equal burial to the two brothers fighting for different causes, which is unfair. Antigone was attempting to right this wrong, and was killed for it.

Creon can be viewed as a villain. It is very simple to be proved. He was a rude and selfish being in this story. He killed Antigone and wouldn't even allow a burial for her brother; he also influenced the death of Haeman, his own son. "Haeman: You'd be an excellent king- on a desert island" (pg. 146).