Creon As A Good King In Antigone By Sophocles

In the play Antigone by Sophocles, Creon has recently been appointed as king of Thebes due to the recent deaths of his nephews, Polyneices and Eteocles. Although he is new to the throne, he proves himself to be an extraordinarily well rounded king, simultaneously being reasonable, fair, and good to the City of Thebes, as well as his own family. Through his actions and words it is as clear that he wants simply the best for those around him. He also makes decisions for the interest of not only himself, but others. Creon is a good, reasonable, and fair king to his family and the City of Thebes by not sentencing Antigone to death, not allowing Polyneices to be buried, and imprisoning Antigone despite her being family. Creon proves himself to be a good king to his family and the City …show more content…
Antigone’s foolish choice of disobeying Creon’s law lead to her being sent away to a vault of stone. Creon, being the kind person he is, let's Antigone have the benefit of the doubt when she is first accused of this crime. “Had you heard my proclamation touching the matter?” (Fitts and Fitzgerald 826). However, she snaps at him, with an attitude more dramatic than an actor on stage. He ultimately makes the decision to imprison Antigone because of her childish actions and defiance of his law. This choice he made without mercy, despite the fact that they are blood relatives.This is a fair act because he gives Antigone an equal punishment as one he would give to an ordinary citizen of Thebes who was guilty of this crime. “May she learn, although late, the piety shown the dead is pity in vain” (Fitts and Fitzgerald 844). This event reveals that Creon’s character believes in equal punishment and justice. Creon believes that every individual should receive equal consequences for violation of laws or disobedience, without a bias judgement or despite personal relationship to