Antigone Absolute Power Corrupts Essay - 1636 Words

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, said Lord Acton generations ago. In the Greek tragedy Antigone, written by Sophocles, there was a character named Kreon, the antagonist, who was the king of Thebes. Thebes was an autocratic state where Kreon had absolute power. Throughout the course of the play, Kreon abused his privilege of absolute power; and this caused him to suffer greatly, even though he was warned by a few people of his bad deeds. What Sophocles commented on absolute power was that one should not abuse it. If it was abused, he or she had to expect bad consequences. This was indicated by what happened to Kreon when he abused his power. Kreon settled a decree that prohibited anyone from burying Polyneices†¦show more content†¦I have long believed so (217-221). To impress the senate Kreon told them that he would listen to any advice they gave him because that was what a good ruler should do. However, this was not how he reacted when Kreon heard that somebody buried Polyneices body. While he was talking to the senate, a sentry came in and told Kreon that Polyneices body had been buried. ...somebody up and buried the corpse and went off: sprinkled dust over it and did the ceremonies youre supposed to (310-312). Kreon got very angry and threatened to kill the sentry if he didnt find the culprit who had buried the body. Kreon thought that all of the sentries were bribed into not telling him who was the culprit (372-391). Koryphaios suggested that the gods might have had buried the body: My lord, we have been considering whether a god might not have done this (350-351). Just like a dictator, as if he knew the ac tions of the gods, he declared that it was impossible for the gods to honor (bury) criminals (363-364). He defied what Koryphaios had said and just declared that the gods would never bury Polyneices, and he got his way. Before, Kreon had said that a good ruler like himself would listen to people, but Kreon did not do that. He went against what he had said. This showed that Kreon was very hypocritical, and he always only declared what he thought was right. Some time passed, and the sentry came in the palaceShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Arrogance and Hubris of Oedipus and Creon724 Words   |  3 Pages In ‘Antigone†, Ismene says, â€Å"To them that walk in power; to exceed is madness, and not wisdom†. Her statement makes it clear, those who â€Å"walk in power†, allow it to corrupt them. Throughout the history of humanity there has been a correlation between those who have excessive power and corruption. Webster’s Dictionary defines corruption as, â€Å"impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle†. In the story of Antigone the tragic hero Creon, shows all of the common characteristics of corruptionRead MorePower, Hubris, And Hamartia Sophocles Antigone1627 Words   |  7 PagesHonors October 31, 2015 Power, Hubris, and Hamartia in Sophocles s Antigone Lord Acton, a well-known British historian, writer, and politician, resonated the repercussions of power and dominance by stating that All power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely† (Moreell, Power Corrupts). This is just one of the themes covered in Sophocles s Antigone. Within this dramatic play, Sophocles questions the conventions of hubris, hamartia, and power. They all play a roleRead MoreAn Individual s Moral Conscience1439 Words   |  6 PagesMajority of man’s belief creates laws to govern and protect the people, but an individual’s own belief can do just as much while staying true to justice. In the play Antigone by Sophocles, shows the conflation of both an individual and majority’s moral conscience through the rightness of justice. The citizens of Thebes seek justice for their past king, but others respect the law and deny his burial. As time forwards there are changes, the law is at a standstill and can o nly change if the majorityRead MoreHow Power Can Be Corrupted Through Hubris And Invokes The Limits Of Power Of A Ruler1512 Words   |  7 Pages Sophocles shows how power can be corrupted through hubris and invokes the limits of power of a ruler. Also, Sophocles exposes how the presence of dominance can Antigone continues to argue with Creon over the justification of her harsh sentence. Within the heated debate, Antigone says to Creon that â€Å"Not a man here would say the opposite, were his tongue not locked in fear. Unfortunately, tyranny (blessed in so much else besides) can lay down the law down any way it wants† (SophoclesRead MoreAntigone, By Sophocles And Anouilh s Versions Of The Modern Version Of Power1259 Words   |  6 Pages Procession of power tends to limit one’s perception and expose its corruption. For instance, Creon’s misogynistic tendencies in Antigone substantiate the idea that abuse of power causes one’s self-immolation. Antigone is a tragedy based on Greek mythology first written by Sophocles, and was later adapted by Jean Anouilh as the modern ve rsion. In like manner, the Creon in both versions plays the same antagonist but different characterization. Creon in Sophocles’ version seeks adoptionRead More moralant Essay on the Moral Dilemma in Sophocles Antigone885 Words   |  4 Pages Antigone:nbsp; Barbaric King, Hopeful Princess and Moral Dilemma Antigone is a play that mainly deals with differences among characters that cause life long drawbacks and threatening resolutions. The drama is portrayed through Antigone and Creons characters who undoubtedly resemble each other. Although they try to be masters of their own fate and eventually succumb to grieving outcomes, they both seem to have the values of a tragic hero. Although, they have their differences, their battleRead MoreSophocles Antigone: 441-442bc1285 Words   |  6 Pagescatalyst of change and concern of the period was democracy. From here stems ideas such as the nature, role and respect of and for the gods, and the individual. The drama of Antigone reflects these concerns in the context it was written through various ways. Athens in the middle of the fifth century BC was at the peak of its power. It attracted foreigners, writers and artists through its wealth, customs and more importantly the freedom of a democracy. However, there was tension between Sparta andRead MoreAntigone : A Greek Tragic Playwright1761 Words   |  8 PagesAntigone is a Greek tragic playwright, set in a classical era of time. During this period, the city of Thebes is completely organized around strict gender roles and religion. There are also expectations that the citizens are expected to meet through abiding by the rules. In this regard, this essay will look at the playwright, on aspects touching on the issues of interest, the historical context, the insight gained among others. The situation of the two sisters: Antigone and Ismene, who are comfortingRead MoreOedipus and Antigone2785 Words   |  12 PagesTruth in the Eyes of Justice Greek theater encompassed many aspects that reflected the moral values and ideals of society. Their customs were tightly woven into the scripts of plays. Antigone and Oedipus the King, two renowned works of the Greek playwright Sophocles, explore these values through a plot thick with corruption, virtue, and determination. These plays reveal the burdens two Theban kings, Oedipus and Creon, as their lies and poor judgment corrode the integrity of their city, their