Tyranny Displayed in Antigone

By: Ankrish Gidwani Word Count: 1148 Teacher: Mr Evershed

The play Antigone written by Anouilh focuses on how Anouilh expresses the effect and nature of tyrannical power on a society. A tyrant is an individual who has absolute power without legal rights. Creon is the tyrant in this play. A hierarchy of tyrants is egotism, narcissism, and psychopath. Creon clearly displays himself being Egotist self-centered: If I don't act according to the law, then the populations will rise against me This quote proves my point, as it suggests Creon is all about himself, and that laws are enforced by Creon to stop people from rising up, to protect his image. For example he made the decree about how Polynices and Eteocles would be buried. Egotists are controlling because only their needs matter and they are motivated only by their own self-interests. A tyrant never wants his reputation to be damaged. I order you to be silent! The ante-rooms full of people. Theyll hear you. Do you want to destroy yourself? Quiet, for Gods sake. Creon does not want his image to be ruined. If the public found out that he let Antigone live, his reputation would be damaged. Creon is always on top, (Gripping tightly on Antigones hand) Im the strong one now. Its my turn to take advantage. This quote reveals the fact that Creon believes that he has more power than anyone and that he has got absolute power and control. It also conveys a typical behavior of a tyrant, due to the violence acted.

He also belongs to the Narcissists category as Creon is prepared to have anyone killed that would damage his reputation or oppose him, If you talk, and the rumor gets about someone covered up Polynices corpse, all three of you will die and Go back to your room, go to bed, and say you're ill and haven't been out since yesterday. Get your nurse to say the same. I'll get rid of those three men suggesting Creon is prepared to kill his guards if needed to allow no opposition, This is a classic tyrant, he is the judge, the lawmaker. Creon also doesn't care about anything (including his family) else, but his role as King Youre mad, boy! Itd be best never to grow up, either. (Clock strikes in the distance. He speaks as if to himself.) Five oclock. Whatve we got at five? (Privy Council) - This quote shows tyranny because even though Creon has just lost two family relatives due to his selfish acts, he does not express sorrow but still lives in his role as the King. This reinforces the fact that his state of law is more important in contrast

to his family issues/morals. Antigone however, challenges the tyrant (Creon) It would suit you best to keep me here in the palace, alive but silent. Youre too sensitive to be a tyrant. But just the same, as you know very well, youre going to have to put me to death presently, Creon has tried to concede to her and get her to change. But instead sarcasm is shown because she wants to push him to do what a typical tyrant has to do, to protect him. This quote also backs up my second quote of knowing the consequences of challenging the tyrant.

Having said this, Ismene is totally opposite, she is petrified of Creon at the beginning Hes the kingHes stronger than we are and everyone agrees with him. The streets of Thebes are full of them, Ismene trying to change Antigones mind on burying her brother suggests her fear in Creons absolute power and control. Although, Ismene changes towards the end of the play, as she says I dont want to live if you die! I dont want to stay on without you! siding with Antigone at the end, encourages the readers to believe that she was scared all this time of Creon, and now that the hard part has finished (going against the tyrants laws) she is willing to side with Antigone, this shows how much impact a tyrant can have on a family relationship, as Antigone was not getting support from her own sister due to a selfish tyrant. Also when she says Theyll kill us again proves my point about everyone knowing the consequences of challenging a tyrant who is in absolute power and control. This Absolute power and control, which Creon has, it surely has an effect on others for example his son (Haemon) as Haemon lost his own love due to his tyrant father. If hes going to become a conventional spouse and learn to say yes like the rest then no, I don't love Haemon anymore says Antigone, explaining to Creon why she doesn't like him anymore, because of what a terrible father he has, suggesting if Creon was not a tyrant then his son would be happy and Antigone would be happy, but instead Creon wants to just make himself look good and forget about these things. Also because of Haemons fathers tyrannical behaviour he has lost his one and only love (Antigone). Same for the soldiers, they are also affected due to the power Creon holds in his

hands. if you talk, and the rumor gets about someones covered up Polynices corpse, all three of you will die this quote suggests that the soldiers whole working lives, they are scared of being killed. The guards also lack freedom under Creons tyrannical absolute power if they search me Ill be courtmartialledI could write what you want in my notebook and tear the page out This quote suggests the freedom the soldiers have in their present lives, and how everything they do, they must think of Creon. Soldiers don't have any freedom of speech, as they must obey Creons orders Who dared? Who was mad enough to flout my orders? Did you find any footprints? This shows how angered Creon feels if someone goes against his orders.

The chorus plays quite a big part in the play as he reveals warnings for Creon Don't let her die Creon! We all bear the scar for thousands of years gives the warning to readers that if Antigone dies something worse will happen for Creon and everyone. Therefore the chorus is very important in this tyrannical environment, as they predicts what will happen with Creons absolute power. Anouilh in this play, shows that tyranny survives although, idealism dies but there is a sense of being alone Creon. The guy who has absolute power, but with this great power he has lost and sacrificed his own family. Which was the same conflict of Antigone losing her brother. This is the tragedy!!

Make 2 big paragraphs on Creon about: How he kills people How he bends the law to suit himself How he has to always be on top