The consequences of hubris:
How does Sophocles reveal Creon’s overarching hubris?
Hubris: exaggerated pride of self- confidence (Merriam Webster)
Hubris is a force that clouds Creon’s vision but also reveals his true super objective. Lines 731- 760 demonstrate this, “Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man- never be rated inferior to a woman, never.” Reveals Creon’s misogyny yet paired with; “But the man the city places in authority his orders must be obeyed, large and small, right and wrong.” Reveals the deep fissures in Creon’s patriotic façade and the hubris that motivates his actions, overtaking logical judgment as the play progresses.
It appears in the beginning of the play that Creon’s objective was to show his citizens the consequences of treason. Posing as serving ruler and a friend to his “loyal” people Creon, perversely parades the ideology that any man can be corrupted if money is at stake; “Money- you demolish cities…you train and twist good minds and set them on the most atrocious schemes.” Creon’s personification of money by addressing it with the personal pronoun “you” is representative of his stubbornness. The pathetic fallacy is perhaps used by Sophocles to demonstrate how Creon believes money to be a negative force that no ordinary citizen is immune to and therefore is prone to. This is controversial as Creon personifies “evil” whilst he understates the omnipotence of the mighty gods- Zeus and Justice. This irreverence displays his misplaced paranoia, instead of fearing the almighty gods he fears any threats to his visage as a respected, feared and successful ruler. This type of thinking shines light on Creon’s shrouded logic. Although every human being is endowed with the ability to reason through fact, instinct and experience, Creon uses his pride rule the country. Creon self consciously notes that “the man society places in authority” can be “right and wrong” must be obeyed either way. This power and respect is worthy for the gods and therefore any mortal assuming such a position has matched and belittled the might of the gods. The root of his misogyny is not explained however, “I am not about to prove myself a liar…never let some woman triumph” exposes Creon’s profound self-pride therefore Sophocles was using misogyny to complement the element of hubris rather than setting it as a theme. Creon’s paranoia also leaks through from his expectations of the ideal son. “Or do you love me no matter what I do…that’s how you ought to feel within your heart.” Creon expects respect from his subordinates rather than earns it. He also expects Haemon’s unconditional love and complete obedience “subordinate to your father’s will in every way.” The juxtaposition between the two demonstrates how Creon wishes to achieve love, respect and veneration through the installation of fear and believes that people are given congenital duties, for example Haemon, born to Creon naturally inherits his father’s enemies and must spend his life upholding his father’s reputation. This concept is paralleled by Antigone’s super objective of fulfilling her duties as a daughter, to grant her family peace in the underworld. This emphasizes on the irony of Creon’s actions, and the lack of logic in his thinking- he expects his son’s unconditional love and obedience yet deplores Antigone for wanting to accomplish her role as a daughter. In this, Sophocles reprimands those who act before they think (thus lacking proper judgment) and thus those with an excess of ego.
When the sentry, a soldier of low status and therefore expected to exhibit less wisdom than those in high authority expresses; Oh it’s terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong.” Sophocles uses irony to show how Creon’s self-conceitedness again clouds his ability to judge and think logically whilst the sentry, albeit of low status remains humble and meek especially to the Gods is the one who is able to see clearly.
Sophocles also emphasizes how the men with the most pride are easily the most sensitive. With Creon’s confrontation with Haemon, Sophocles emphasizes the fragility of the situation as well as the volatility of Creon’s temperament by structuring Haemon’s confrontation in a circumlocuted fashion. At first Haemon appears to praise his father, “only the gods endow a man with reason, the finest of all gifts…I rejoice in your success…nothing more precious…Now don’t please, be quite so single minded, self-involved, or assume the world is wrong and you are right.” Yet allows climax to build as Haemon becomes increasingly frustrated with his father’s obstinate views and finally comes to a climax as Haemon storms off “And you will never see me, never set eyes on my face again.” This final warning where climax reaches its peak acts doubly as a warning to Creon, to foreshadow Haemon’s suicide in the final act of the play.
Through character interaction, prolepsis, and structure Sophocles shows the audience the consequences of hubris- allowing pride to act instead of responsible, proper judgment will no doubt result in tragedy.
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