As the plot of the play continues to develop, we gain a better understanding of each of the main characters. At the start of the play, it seems as though all of the character have a clean slate. Then they develop their own personalities and, depending on the situation, their own tragic flaws.
Personally, I felt that Creon’s actions and justifications in the second reading reveals a deeper feeling of insecurity that drove him to insist on punishing Antigone. In general, Creon’s character is rather important because he serves as the only negative consequence to Antigone’s desire to bury her brother. However, beyond this obvious understanding of Creon’s character, there is an underlying sense of the boundaries and inequality between men and women. Creon implies this while he is speaking to Antigone. It is when Antigone tries to justify her actions as an act of love that Creon is provoked to call out the place of a woman. “Go down below and love,/ if love you must—love the dead! While I’m alive./ no woman is going to lord it over me.” (592-594) There are two analyses that can be made from this statement. First, by mention woman along with the subject of love, Creon implies that to love is a woman’s emotion. He almost seems to be mocking Antigone’s nature to love. Secondly, he states clearly that no woman shall overstep her place. Women are apparently seen as below men for Creon. Therefore, Antigone’s boldness is like a slap in the face to Creon. He is angered that she is even willing to argue her defense.
Another indication of Creon’s insecurities of gender status comes after he decides that both Antigone and Ismene will be punished. “Stop wasting time. Take them in./ From now on they’ll act like women.” (651-652) Although Creon does not explicitly state what it means for them to act as women, he implies that however Antigone might have acted in the past was clearly out of line for a woman. Also, Creon continues by ordering that the two women are tied up. This image that is created links us to the idea of suppression.
As a leader, Creon still seems to be insecure about his own power and status if he cannot bare the thought of a woman disobeying him. I feel that Creon’s title, as King is a complete misrepresentation of who he truly is. A king is one who embodies all of his civilians, not one who belittles them because of their gender.
I agree with you on the gender inequality, especially considering the time period that this play was written. Creon will be a tyrant no matter what. He will do anything to secure his throne and power. I think that he feels threatened by Antigone’s courage. Clearly he was in disbelief that Antigone could do such a deed. Even a man did not have the courage to go against Creon, but antigone as a women had the courage. I think that because of this he feels more threatened by Antigone, and he probably fears that Ismene might do the same in the future. This is why he wants to punish them both. By doing so he regains his feeling of security and presents Thebes with an example of what will be the punishment for disobeying him.
Creon’s insecurity. I saw this as well. His insecurities are not just limited to women however, he is worried about everyone really. He accuses a member of the sentry of the burial of Polyneices and says his motive was money. He accuses Teiresias, the prophet who is never wrong, of telling him an incorrect prophecy for money. He is stubborn and arrogant, throwing anyone who threatens him aside. At the same time he is throwing reason aside.
What this really made me think about is, what is it about power that brings about such intense insecurity? I have not just seen this in this story, I have seen it many times. Those who have power are SO afraid of losing it that they go insane. Actually, I just remember Gilbert and his idea of thinking things are actually worse than they are before they happen. Perhaps Creon thinks that losing his power would mean complete misery. Maybe Creon would actually be happier to just get rid of such a large burden. Ruling the people must place a lot of stress on the guy.
So do power and insecurity go together? Maybe the most intelligent ruler anyone can have is one that understands power is not everything and is not afraid to lose it. I think it is more likely for a ruler to abuse their power when they are afraid of losing it. When a ruler is calm, collected, and understanding, he or she can rule rationally. I’m sure this is a major reason we, in the United States, have a federation. With our government split, no person has too much power to go crazy with. However, even some power can bring out insecurity. This is why I believe intelligence, rationality and experience rule above all.
Anyway to get back to Creon, I completely agree with you on the idea that he felt threatened by women. At the time women did not have the same status they have today (although they still are not completely equal) and for a woman to go against king orders was extremely threatening. This brought out more insecurity, as a result bringing out sexism, irrationality and simply poor judgment.