Creon A Morally Ambiguous Character In Antigone

Morally ambiguous characters, characters whom readers can not identify as profoundly immoral or morally virtuous, are at the center of many artistic works of literature. In the last play of The Oedipus Cycle written play famous playwright Sophocles, the tragic play Antigone’s main character, King Creon of Thebes, is a perfect example of a tragic hero and a morally ambiguous character. Throughout the duration of the play, Creon had many good intentions for his people, he also had a heart for those that he loved, and because of that his moral ambiguity, his character plays a significant role to the tragic play as a whole. Without his recognition of his fatal flaw pride,, Creon simply surmised that his decisions were entirely driven by pure good. …show more content…
Nonetheless, Creon beleived his actions were still driven by righteousness inside him, and allowed Haimon to discuss Antigone’s situation. Haimon quarreled for the release of Antigone, for she did not commit a consequential crime. Illustrated through Sophocles language use, Haimon among others, truly believes that Antigone is innocent. “They say no women has ever, so unreasonably,/ Died so shameful a death for a generous act:/ ‘She covered her brother’s body. Is this indecent?/ She kept him from dogs and vultures. Is this a crime?/ Death? - She should have all the honor that we can/ give her!” (Sophocles 213). In response, Creon realizes that his edict was wrong, and Antigone was indeed virtuous for her solemn acts of granting her own brother a proper burial. Creon: “Go quickly: free Antigone from her vault/ And build a tomb for the body of Polyneices…” “I will go,” Creon says, “ Come with me to the tomb. I buried her, I/ Will set her free” (Sophocles 229). However, Creon’s beliefs did not change for his nephew Polyneices, he no longer perceived Antigone as an insurgent. Upon the father and son’s arrival to Antigone’s prison, Antigone hung and killed herself before anyone could stop her. Haimon threatened to kill Creon, claiming that the situations should have been prevented by him. Creon could not change the circumstances, regardless of how much the two wanted. Yet Haimon committed suicide because of his strong love and respect for Antigone. After getting word of her son’s death, Creon’s wife also took her life due to the fact that she could not endure the idea that Creon could have prevented this mess from occurring. Consequently, Creon felt sorrow and regret for what had happened. “Oh pity!/ All true, all true, and more than I can bear!/ O my wife, my son!” (Sophocles 236). Additionally, if one is morally evil one would not listen to their family, nor would they weep at their death, and