Defending Creon’s Actions in Antigone

Creon's actions can be defended if they are analyzed from a political standpoint. His main concern as king is to protect the city and maintain order. This is especially the case since Thebes is on the edge of war, and because Creon has just come into power. Therefore, Creon adopts strict rules and punishments, and stubbornly adheres to his laws.

Creon establishes a strict ruling style, even in regards to family, to gain loyalty from his citizens and to build up his authority as a new ruler. In scene one, Creon directly says he will do what he feels is best for the city, and that personal affairs or relations will not interfere with his ruling. Through this policy, Creon must treat a loyal man with respect and reverence and give nothing to renegades of the law. He shows he is true to his word right away by not allowing a proper burial for his own nephew, Polyneices, for breaking his exile and fighting against Thebes. He shows this again when he sentences Antigone, his own son's future wife, to be encased in stones for breaking his law. Creon doesn't want to give lawbreakers and traitors leeway, in order to prevent any threats of anarchy.

Creon is also stubborn and has a lot of pride, which may come from his power as king. For one, his stubbornness alone almost guarantees that he