What is the significance of this extract in the play, in relation to the issue of power? 

 

Extract: Haemon and Creon 

Antigone is a form of Greek tragedy which examines the tensions between the power of belief and traditions (moral laws) against the power of the state (state law). Between the rising tension between Creon’s belief in the power of the state law against Antigone’s belief in moral’s law, exposing the impact of a totalitarian or dictatorial rule, where power is concentrated in a/few individuals are shown. Power forms Creon into a harmetic leader, linking closely with the concept of Hubris. It is evident that Creon does not seek any harm to the state, but rather so consumed in his ego and power that he cannot see the flaws in his policies. The extract amplifies Creon’s inability to listen and his distinct fixation that he is right. Even though Antigone’s and Haemon’s arguments are similar, contrary to Antigone, Haemon has a close relationship with Creon and can be viewed as a “prized possession” as he is the last and only son. Because of this relationship, it amplifies Creon’s fixation as Creon still dismisses Haemon’s arguments hence his willingness to “sacrifice” his son to uphold his law.

 

With so much power concentrated in Creon, Creon takes any critique/advice to his policies as a critique to himself. Creon becomes obsessed with his reputation and image, hence his inability to change and listen. Creon explicitly states his passion in ensuring Antigone’s punishment, almost going as far to sacrifice his relationship with his son for the sake of protecting his image as a strong, concrete and powerful leader. Creon argues that if “she walks free, she is the man and I am not” displays that Creon’s true reason behind fixating on Antigone’s death is not because of state interest but rather to protect his ego. Even after his own son, Haemon tells him that the populous believes that Antigone should be freed, he refuses to be “schooled by his age.” Creon’s inability to “sway with the flood” or “bend with the wind” ultimately leads to him “capsizing” losing everything, and even himself. Creon’s character, although fictional and written in ancient times, still transcend into modern day diplomacy and life. Leaders of corporations or nations with power sometimes cannot bear to be corrected by less powerful individuals/groups in order to maintain their image and ego.  

 

Creon slowly progresses from an individual ruling for the benefit of the state, to an individual who believes he is ruling for the benefit of the state but actually ruling to protect his ego. In Creon’s inauguration he tells the citizens that he will be the one who “steers the ship away from stormy water”, but ironically does the opposite. Haemon makes it clear that the city believes that Antigone does not deserve “such a brutal death for such a glorious action.” but Creon states that the “city is the king’s” believing that he embodies the state and thus the masses should follow his ideals and thinking. Creon again dismisses the god’s power (moral law), something that the citizens agreed that the power of the gods overrule state law. The example of Creon as a leader transcends throughout time to even modern leaders who sometimes become too caught up in the personal sphere rather than the state’s, although having positive intentions, the individual is blinded by power and reputation.  

 

The heated exchange between Haemon and Creon demonstrates that the power of the gods (moral power) ultimately overpowers the state’s power because moral power manifests itself in the populus, and the populus is what “gives” the state its power. Haemon remarks that the city, the people, is what owns the city, not the state or central power, telling Creon “What a splendid king you’d make of a desert island-you and you alone.” A state with no p”eople to rule over, no matter the amount of power will become powerless. Earlier in Haemon’s speech, he describes that men “never say anything displeasing to your face” but “murmurs in the dark” serves as a warning to Creon that state laws can be put in place and people will follow due to fear of execution or punishment but behind the tied tongues, lies a different story. In the context of Antigone, the citizens are governed by the power of the gods (moral law) although Creon believes the citizens should be and is governed by his laws. The ideas of the populous standing up to state laws based on their own moral law is still very much contemporary. Recently, there have been huge protests worldwide as states decide if COVID-19 vaccines can be made mandatory and some states have. The protests highlight that vaccines affect their freedom, and although some may view the protests as shallow, the COVID-19 protest has parallels with Antigone. The state believes that COVID-19 vaccines are good for the citizens and thus a necessity but some disagree, similar to how Creon believes the execution of Antigone is a necessity and an absolute must regardless of public disapproval. 

The play Antigone shows the audience how power can blind a good intentions but also show the power of moral law manifested in the populace. Contrary to ancient Greek, there are now many forms of contemporary moral law but the state law still receives power and “authority” over moral law through the use of punishment. Similarly, the idea that the populus can overturn state law/power together still transcends to contemporary organisations, even authoritarian rule. State power and punishment may silence the populus but no amount of power can silence moral law and power as they manifest within one’s thoughts.