Antigone (454 words) Essay Example For Students

Antigone (454 words) Essay AntigoneAntigone Sophocles trilogy of Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, andAntigone is a powerful, tragic tale that examines the nature of human guilt,fate and punishment. Creon, Oedipus uncle and brother-in-law, is the storysmost dynamic character. His character experiences a drastic metamorphosisthrough the span of the three dramas. Creons vision of a monarchs proper role,his concept of and respect for justice, as well as his respect for the designevolve considerably by the trilogys tragic conclusion. In Oedipus the King (OK), the audience is introduced to a Creon who seems to put loyalty to the kingabove all. He sympathizes with the tragic plight of King Oedipus and asserts noapparent ambition himself. His attitude toward the king is one of yielding andfulfilling reverence. Creons notion of justice in OK stems directly from thedivine. That which the gods have decreed must become law. It pains Creon to haveOedipus exiled, but he must do so as the gods have willed it. Creons respectfor divinity and prophecy seems to be his defining trait in OK. His attitude isone of unquestioning reverence. In Oedipus at Colonus (OC), one sees thebeginning of Creons decline. Creon has now come to occupy the throne that oncebelonged to Oedipus. It soon becomes apparent that his vision of the proper roleof a king has changed to accommodate his new-found position. The emphasis shiftsfrom that of a king who must rule wisely to one who must rule unyieldingly. Thekingship becomes a selfserving instrument for Creon in his attempt to secure thereturn of Oedipus and the good fortune prophesied to accompany him. Creonsnotion of justice is severely distorted in OC. He becomes monomaniacal conducting his affairs with tyranny and belligerence. For example, he threatensto harm Oedipus daughters if the blind beggar does not return to Thebes. Hisview of rightness and fairness is no longer in line with that of his subjects. In OC, Creon still retains some respect for divine prophecies. These have afterall motivated his desire to return Oedipus to Thebes. Antigone reveals theultimate extent to which Creons character deteriorates. His transformationcompletes itself; he has become an unreasonable tyrant. Creon can no longer becalled a king. He has become a despot. There is absolutely no justice to befound. Violence and threats of violence are the tools by which he rules. Forexample, his senseless threats to an innocent sentry reveal the true extent ofhis loss of reason. Creon has distorted the proclamation against Polyneicesburial, which was originally intended to foster Theban unity, into a display ofrashness and incompetence. There is no mention of the gods and their intentionson Creons behalf in Antigone. He has been so far destroyed by his own power asto dismiss the divine will that he originally thrived on.