Aliya Lakha (168089) Judges

Antigone is a powerful text that reflects much of what we see in our society today. One of the themes most
powerfully portrayed within Antigone is that of dictatorship, corruption, and tyranny. The epitome of this
theme within the text is Creon.

Following the deaths of Antigone’s brothers, Creon becomes drunk on power, and we see an almost
dictatorship. He says, “So now the throne and all the power in Thebes are mine, because I am closest kin to
those who died.” It went against the decree of the Gods to leave a dead body uncovered. However, Creon
took it upon himself to decide how to punish Antigone’s brother, Polyneices, for his sins. He felt he had the
power to do whatever he wanted to, even though he knew it went against the very morals that shaped their
society. Despite the people of the society knowing what he was doing is wrong, no one had the guts to speak
out against him. This is a true reflection of society. We know that what is happening is wrong, but no one
can say anything about it, due to the fear of retaliation from the figure of authority.

Everyone fears Creon greatly and cannot dare to go against him. Whilst living in fear of a tyrant, members o
society often refrain from standing up for what’s right, or for the truth. We see this at the very beginning of
the text. Ismene knows that what Antigone is doing is correct, yet she fears helping her sister out and infact
tries to dissuade her. She says, “if we violate a dictator’s decree…”. This shows us that Creon is viewed as a
dictator in society, and everyone knows that a dictator’s decree is final and must not be challenged.

Antigone is truly brave. She is a voice of change and liberation. She was the only person willing to stand up
against Creon’s tyranny. When she stands up against him, telling him that he has “locked their tongues with
fear”, and that a “tyrant says and does what he pleases”, Creon is furious. He says, “You are the only one, in
all Thebes, who thinks that way.” Antigone swiftly replies by saying “No. They all see it the same. You’ve
silenced them”. Creon goes on to say, “Aren’t you ashamed to have a mind apart from theirs?”. This reflects
how the masses become silenced in the face of a dictator. Antigone was attempting to-----------

Haemon, Antigone’s to-be husband, and Creon’s son, is another voice of reason. Despite Creon being his
father, he’s willing to stand up to him and he’s not afraid to tell him that what he’s doing is wrong. He calls a
spade a spade. He tells his father “Because I see you going wrong. Because justice matters!” Haemon
attempts to explain to his father that his actions are neither in line with society’s values nor with justice.
Creon then goes on to say, “Is that wrong, showing respect for my job as leader?” In their pursual of power,
tyrants and dictators fail to see that what they’re doing is wrong. They take it upon themselves to control
everyone and they sincerely believe that this is the true meaning of leadership. They’re too blinded by the
power they’ve received to rationally think.
Aliya Lakha (168089) Judges

At a point in the text, we can clearly see that Creon enjoys the power he’s given himself and feels as if
whatever he does, must be followed. He says, “But when the city takes a leader, you must obey, whether his
commands are trivial, or right, or wrong.” He further says “But when people stay in line and obey, their lives
and everything else are safe. For this reason, orders must be maintained”. This evidently shows the reader
that Creon has been blinded by power. According to him, a leader holds the supreme position. No matter
what the leader’s command is, not caring as to whether the command is right or wrong, it must be followed
to maintain order in society. It must be followed simply for the sake of keeping the respect of the leader.

Creon is very prideful and stubborn. We see these traits in Antigone too. However, as we know, Antigone’s
stubbornness was on the right side of morals, even though it causes her grave consequences. She wasn’t
willing to give up on her values and beliefs, no matter what the repercussions. She felt that there was greater
glory in upholding her own values rather than submitting to those of a tyrant. Haemon tries to break his
stubbornness and begs him to let go of Antigone. Creon refuses to surrender until it is far too late.

Creon is a ruthless leader. He doesn’t care about the laws of humanity nor of the Gods. He runs Thebes
autocratically and believes that the power of the state lies entirely with himself. Democracy is very
important in the running of a society. It gives the people a say and prevents anyone from getting drunk on
power. The very lack of democracy in Thebes leads to Creon’s power-high and all the tragic repercussions
this has.

Creon could be viewed as a tragic hero. He genuinely believes he’s being a good ruler and is doing the right
thing for Thebes, but this is not reality. His excessive pride and unwillingness to listen to anyone else, due to
his prideful thinking, leads him to end up entirely alone. He loses all his important relations, his wife and
son, as a direct result of his own actions. Pride is Creon’s greatest flaw and weakness. He thinks he knows,
more than anyone else what the best thing for Thebes is.

Antigone accepts her tragic fate which comes upon her due to her retaliation against an unjust law. She
knows that what she’s doing will land her in trouble and cause her great grief. However, she also knows that
she must do what is right. She must stand up against injustice and stand by the truth.

In Antigone, Creon symbolizes corruption, pride, and tyranny. Antigone attempts to shed light on the plight
of a society living under the rule of a tyrannical, dictatorial leader, and the importance of standing with your
morals in the face of injustice.
Aliya Lakha (168089) Judges