Throughout generations kings are portrayed as admirable and successful. Despite their mistakes kings have always been respected. In these two literatures, Antigone and The Thousand and One Nights, there are King Creon and King Shahrayar who encounter conflicts that shaped into new individuals. During the beginning of the stories there are similarities between these two kings. However, each story has a woman that helped them reflect on their decisions and show them how mistaken they were.
Creon is the brother of Antigone's mother, Jocasta. Essentially, he comes to power because there aren't any other males in the family to rule. Creon appears to be prideful, stubborn, and egotistical. He is concerned of how the people will view him or what they will think. He is determined to uphold human law at all costs.
Power has a negative effect on those who are in power. It has a negative effect, because it causes unnecessary harm. For example, many leaders throughout history have used their power to demonstrate absolute control. In Antigone, Creon used his power in a negative way.
Another characteristic of Creon that is highlighted during the conversation is defensive when it came to the uncertainty of his ruling. In lines (831-833) Haemon says, “the people here in Thebes all say the same- they deny she is”, and Creon responds with,” so the city will instruct me how I am to govern.” Haemon explains all the citizens of Thebes think Antigone performed a heroic act by burying her brother, and they think she shouldn’t be considered guilty. Creon becomes over sensitive and foolishly says the city will tell him how to govern. This shows how defensive Creon is when it comes to the uncertainty of his ruling and him not listening to Haemon develops the belief of creon’s downfall of a tragic
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely” - Lord Acton , this quote is especially true back in medieval times and before. With this quote this question comes up, does power have a negative or positive effect on others? To that, I say yes. Before I do start explaining why power has a positive effect I will admit that power can also bring a negative effects as well such as King Creon in play Antigone. Antigone at the time it was written was meant to represent the current time of the ancient greece.
Too much power causes a negative effect and leads to selfish desires. When people with power do not get what they want they lash out. In the play Antigone, Creon who is appointed king threatens Sentry because he does not get what he wants. On line forty Creon tells Sentry “I’ll string you up alive, and there will be certain way to make you discover your employer before you die.”
Malfeasance in Office “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” - Abraham Lincoln. Any man or woman can make a negative impact on people if given power. Power has a negative effect on others, from famous literature to current events, it is a consistent struggle society has to deal with. From ancient documents, plays, and books, powerful rulers influence abominable decisions. In the play Antigone, the sentry is afraid to tell Creon the news that Polyneices had been buried.
209-211). In this scene, Creon is arguing with his son, who does not believe Antigone has to die for disobeying his father, but Creon is so power hungry he is willing to suppress anyone who is against him, even his son’s fiance. Good people suffer, because rulers like Creon are ruthless tyrants, they are power hungry and will not listen to anyone who disagrees with their
This quote says, Creon does not want to go back on his word and does not want to let a criminal get away, but he has to so his people can view him as a better ruler than they initially thought. This made me feel sympathetic because he was willing to give up something he cared about for the life of someone else. It shows a change he undergoes but was never able to fix his mistakes because Antigone had already killed
Creon is now faced with the decision to uphold the law or pardon his family. Despite Creon’s right decision to uphold the law, his family perishes at their own hand. Creon’s decision to punish Antigone is a right decision and is one that any good leader would make. He is not an evil man but one who is looking out for the state. While Creon is also looking for the respect of his countrymen, all those who disobey the law must pay
People have many different reactions when given power. The reaction is usually either one where they use power for a greater good and to guide others in a better situation, or they can misuse the power given and take advantage of the circumstances or others to make themselves feel even more dominant and in command. In the play, Antigone by Sophocles one of the main characters , King Creon, abuses his power to take superiority of others and in an attempt to gain control. The misuse of power is more frequent than the use of power for the favorable, even in many current events.
Power “With great power comes great responsibility”. Now, I know that's a bit cheesy. But in this modern day with those in power invoking fear and exploiting the desperate for their own selfish gain, it’s all the more true. Take for instance, Creon from the playwright Antigone who threatens anyone who dared to bury Polyneices. This shows that through fear Creon was able to manipulate those around him to do what he wanted.
In the play Antigone, there was a character who was put in a unique situation. Haimen was the son of the newly crowned King Creon and was engaged to his own first cousin, Antigone. When Haimen is introduced into the play Creon thinks that Antigone should be put to death because she tried to bury her brother in order for him to rest in peace, but Haimen thinks otherwise. He uses various rhetorical devices to try and change his father’s ruling and get him on his side. Haimen enters and begins reasoning with his father, but Creon is not having it.
Oscar and Wilde have plays that take place in which men are the ones with the power however, they both show that women can be strong to even if it means taking that power away from the men. Antigone risks her life; exploiting courage and bravery in burying her brother. Her actions are what separate herself from women like Ismene, which defines her as a person standing up against a man for what she believes in and not just a woman. Both Gwendolyn and Cecily share similarities where they find themselves attached to their fiancés; desiring for both love and passion while unaware to the consequences. Women have more power than they think and it only depends on whether or not they have the will to take that power from their male
Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust”(Sophocles 1.5 142-146). Creon’s destruction resulted because of his misdeeds in having too much pride. His pride and his personal instability were the worst combination of possible qualities he could have. Creon’s past sins have built up and eventually burst and gave this man the worst punishment of all the characters in the play. In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon displayed many failing qualities as a king; most notably having displayed a giant ego by not accepting help from others, which warns the audience of the dangers