What Caused Creon's Downfall

Alone and wishing death upon himself, Creon, the king of Thebes, is left frantic and sorrowful. In the play Antigone by the playwright Sophocles, Antigone learns that her brother Polynices has been banned from proper burial rites by the leader Creon, who believes Polynices is a traitor. Antigone then defies this law, and when caught, is punished with being buried alive. Creon is then told by Haemon, his son, Tiresias, and the chorus leader to let Antigone go free, but when Creon finally gives in it is too late and Antigone has already hung herself. In response, Haemon, Antigone’s fiance and Creon's son, kills himself, which is followed by the suicide of Eurydice, Creon's wife. Creon’s excessive pride and stubbornness leaves him frantic, sorrowful, and alone making him the tragic hero of Antigone. Creon’s pride is the tragic flaw that causes the events leading to his
In the beginning Creon was the new king of thebes and had power, but through his excessive pride and stubbornness in decisions, he was led to his downfall. Creon was left at the end sorrowful and wishing death upon himself, because he had lost his son and wife, Crying out “Come, let it come!--that best of fates for me/ that brings the final day, best fate of all./ Oh quickly, now--/ so I never have to see another sunrise” (Exodos.1449-1452). Creon feels he has nothing to live for now that his family is gone. He now puts all the blame on himself and wants to die, to end his pain. Since it was his decision that led to his own downfall and his family’s, he puts all the fault on himself, saying “And the guilt is all mine--/ can never be fixed on another man,/ no escape for me” (Exodos.1441-1443). Creon has to face the consequences of his fate, which he put on himself. He has no way to avoid his guilt and finally come to terms with it. Leaving Creon alone with the consequences of his unavoidable