Power has
corrupted Creon. In Oedipus the King, Creon
had no want for kingship, but now that he is crowned, he prides over making
sure everyone in Thebes knows who is in charge. When Haemon, his son, and
Tiresias, the blind future seeker of Thebes,
report what will happen to Creon if he continues his action, Creon brushes them
both off. He becomes enraged that they would test his ruling and ignores both
their premonitions. Foreshadowing plays a big part in this play. The first
moment of foreshadowing occurs when Creon converses with Haemon regarding “the
final verdict on [his] bride.” (706) Creon wanders where Haemon stands in this
situation and Haemon retorts, “Father, I am your son… you in your wisdom set my
bearings for me—I obey you.” (709-710) Haemon proceeds to tell his father that
many civilians have said Antigone does not deserve punishment, for what she did
was brave and noble. Creon becomes
infuriated and insults his son. Haemon foretells, “Then she will die… but her
death will kill another.” (843) Further in the story, Tiresias forewarns Creon
that if he continues to refuse to bury Polynices and his punishment of Antigone
for the burial, then a curse by the gods will be brought down on Thebes. Later
on Creon finds out that Antigone has hung herself and alongside her is Haemon
covered in his own blood. The messenger relays the message to Creon, who
regrets his decisions and admits to his own stupidity. Justice has just begun
for Creon, for the messenger returns to convey the message of another death—Eurydice,
Creon’s wife. Creon should have listened to his son and Tiresias, for both his
son and wife died.
Stated by
John Steinbeck, “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a
loss of power.” This relates to Creon
because he ignored those warnings for the fear of losing authority and his
power. Creon was so wrapped up in power and the terror of losing power, that he
would not listen to anything that involves partial loss of control.
The corruption of power Creon faces is similar to much of the corruption highly public "celebrities" face with. The fear of losing that power contributes to the failure and downfall of most of these people: they ignore the precious warnings given from those who understand. Creon ignores the warning from Tiresias claiming a misfortune will hit Thebes, and in doing so, ultimately pays the consequences.
ReplyDeleteCreon’s desire for power is the main reason for the ending of this tragedy. His declaration in the beginning of the story sets the tone and determines the series of events. The power Creon holds and the decisions he makes corrupts people and destroys lives. His desire for power results in the literal death of three people and the metaphorical death of his future.
ReplyDeleteThe increasing power of Creon's status is what makes him believe he can surpass the judgement of the gods. Just like many others that surround us today, Creon feeds off of his image, but doesn't realize when he's hurting it the most. By killing Antigone not only is looked down upon by the gods but by the people of his city as well. A king is just the word when nobody supports you or gives you the power it claims.
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