Antigone Part 2: Everyone is Dead

Creon: "No. I am king, and responsible only to myself."

Haemon: "A one man state? What sort of State is that?" (Sophocles 146)

 

The play, Antigone, brings up many thoughtful and interesting questions. One of my favorites is when Haemon, the prince of Thebes, questions his father, Creon, decisions. Creon believes that as a king, he has the final say in all matters and that he is accountable to no one, even the gods. Haemon tries to reason with his father by questioning the validity of a one-man state. This statement shows how power can corrupt and that a strong ruler is one who knows when to yield. Creon seems so insistent on his own way that he cannot listen to wise and reasonable counsel. My question is, does Creon let his own pride make his decisions, or is he trying to uphold the law of Thebes and show himself as a champion of the law?