CORRUPTIVE NATURE OF POWER

PROMPT: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Describe the downfall of Creon in “Antigone” in relation to how we see him in “Oedipus.” What sparks this change? What do you see as the turning point for Creon’s downfall? Describe the different ways Sophocles shows the corrupting force of power.

THE CORRUPTIVE FORCE OF POWER

Power is an element that many people yearn for, unaware of its damaging effects. People in a hierarchy often defy anything they feel is beneath them and are blinded by the great things power has to offer. After all, being in such a prominent position is a wonderful feeling. One who reigns has the ability to alter anything or everything, they make the final decision and ultimately they possess total control. After reading Sophocles’ works, I realized that the concept of power was a major theme throughout the text and he condemns the topic as corruptive. In “Oedipus, the King”, Oedipus chose to abuse his deserved role as kingship which lead to abominable exposure as well as his sons’ death because of the desire for power. Although these are satisfying examples, one character displays power to be the ultimate poison. Oedipus’ brother, Creon, was portrayed as wise and obedient in the beginning but as we read on, we notice a drastic change in his personality. After examination, power is corruptive because of its radical effect on one’s judgment and persona.

Sophocles describes the corrupting force of power in numerous ways, yet he manages to construct a connection. In the introduction of “Oedipus the King”, Oedipus was considered savior of Thebes and was highly respected. However, instead of remaining humble, he takes advantage of the citizens’ submissiveness. “those who disobey/I’ll ask the Gods to curse/with fields that never sprout/and wombs that never flower/And all the horrors of this present plague and worse.” (16). He threatens the citizens unless they agree to tell him who killed Laius, but he is unaware of the fact that it was all his doing. His ignorance supports the claim of how power can blind a person. When he could finally see, it was too late and he met his fated death. Oedipus’ sons experience with power was rather different. Out of desire for power, Polyneices fought until he and his brother died. “greed of gain has often made men fools.” (200). Creon said this a little after the men’s deaths and it essentially labeled Polyneices and Eteocles as fools. They were fighting because greed took the best of them and ultimately they paid the price with their lives. These accounts portray power to be unpleasant, however, Creon’s encounter with sovereignty proves to be much more dreadful. Creon ends up being similar to his arrogant brother Oedipus in copious ways but he was not always that way.

Throughout the text, Oedipus appeared to be a coarse ruler and his brother-in-law, Creon, was present to serve as an opposing character. After being wrongfully accused of murder, Creon approached his brother with the utmost respect. “If he thinks ... that any word or act of mine/was ever done in malice, done to harm, I’d rather end my life than live so wronged.” (28). Oedipus continued to pounce on Creon with insults and malicious comments but Creon remained serene as he attempted to reason with him. Creon seemed to be rather hurt than bitter. Unlike Oedipus, he never let his anger overpower him. Even when he strived to offer great counsel, Oedipus refused to listen. “If you really think a stubborn mind is something to be proud of, you’re not thinking straight.” (30). Oedipus was irritated by Creon’s insightful advice and he only wished to put Creon to death. “The kind of man who always thinks that he is right,/that his opinions, his pronouncements,/are the final word,/is usually exposed as hollow as they come.” (222). The tables turned and when Oedipus was exposed to who he actually was, it drove him to his knees begging his brother to take his life. Creon’s reaction to Oedipus’ plea illustrates his loyalty and obedience. “it’s best to ask the god again what should be done.” (77). He was extremely rational but when he was granted a special opportunity, everything changed.

After the death of Oedipus and his sons, naturally, Creon was appointed King of Thebes and he wasted no time in enforcing strict laws under his jurisdiction. The first edict he sent out was the denial of a burial for Polyneices since he fought against his own city. Then he learned from a Sentry that someone prepared a burial for Polyneices despite Creon’s law which forbade it. He immediately accused the Sentry of disobedience out of greed for money and threatened to hang him unless he told him who performed the burial. After learning it was his own niece, Antigone, it did not change his attitude at all. The thought of someone attempting to challenge him as King infuriated him and he was prepared to condemn Antigone to death regardless of the fact that she was his family. This marked the first indication of how Creon was beginning to change. She expressed nothing but anger towards Creon and he only felt she was inferior. “No woman while I live shall govern me.” (214). He was intimidated by Antigone’s fearlessness and he expressed much hate towards her. He was so disgusted by her that he referred to her as a “creature” and just like he stated he would, he placed her in a tomb. The sapient man Creon used to be vanished and an absolute different aspect of his personality was revealed. “Naturally, there is no way/to tell the character and mettle of a man/until you’ve seen him govern.”(198). With the characteristics of Creon reversed, his son, Haemon, who was also Antigone’s husband, took the role of the old Creon. However, he was not very successful in convincing his father otherwise. People who gain power often develop a big ego. It took two more people to change Creon’s mind and when he finally realized that he was wrong, it was too late. Antigone hung herself and when Creon entered the room, he saw Haemon with a dagger in his hand. Haemon plunged forward attempting to kill his father, but he missed and killed himself instead. When Creon’s wife, Eurydice, heard of this she stabbed herself in the heart because she was so heartbroken. This left Creon with a massive burden of guilt that he would have to live with for the rest of his life.

Though power is a rank that attracts many it can be extremely corruptive. It may seem that one who is in power has ultimate control but power can cloud one’s mind to the point of destruction. We viewed how power took a toll on Oedipus, Polyneices, Eteocles, and Creon. Specifically, Creon’s encounter with power and how he immediately took advantage of it. The way he faced destruction was ironic because sovereignty caused him to be the exact man he vowed never to be. However, he was not entirely at fault. He was only doing what he felt the city needed. He had the city’s best interest at heart but this does not change the fact that power’s corruptive nature can have a radical effect on one’s judgment and persona.