Hey everybody,

For today’s blog post I would like to share my opinion on Creon, the stubborn King in this week’s assigned reading Antigone. I have a feeling that his reasoning for his actions go far beyond his twisted view of what justice is. What if he has an insecurity of some sort? If not than what is his problem?

I ask you all these questions because I believe the answer would be that he’s incredibly insecure. Specific clues in the reading have led me to assume this about Creon.

When Creon is confronted by his son, Haimon, about his decision to execute his bride to be, Haimon does not show him any disobedience about the matter. Haimon says, “I am your son, father. You are my guide. You make things clear for me, and I obey you. No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom.” So how would any normal dad respond to his obedient son? Maybe with a simple “Thank you son” or, “I’m happy I’ve got your support.” However, when Creon responds to this, he gets very defensive, and gives Haimon this long speech as to why he is right for doing this AGAIN. It seems as though Creon is talking to himself, trying to convince himself that he is right, maybe out of his own insecurity. Then, he gets somewhat off topic and talks about the obedience of all of his people, saying “If I permit my own family to rebel, how shall I earn the world’s obedience?” This hypothetical question to himself seems to be the greater reason behind this execution. It reflects what he really cares about, which is having total control. So Antigone’s execution may just be a message and precedent to the people of Thebes from Creon, saying that if you disobey the king, you’ll end up like her.

Again, this is just MY opinion of what the back story behind Creon is. I’d love to hear what everyone else’s opinion is!

-Erica Woroniecki