Free Antigone Essays: Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely :: Antigone essays

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely in Antigone                   Power corrupts, and absolute might corrupts absolutely, said Lord Acton generations ago. In the Hellenic tragedy Antigone, written by Sophocles, there was a character named Kreon, the antagonist, who was the power of Thebes. Thebes was an autocratic state where Kreon had absolute power. Throughout the course of the play, Kreon abused his perquisite of absolute power and this caused him to suffer greatly, even though he was warned by a few people of his mischievousness deeds. What Sophocles commented on absolute power was that one should not abuse it. If it was abused, he or she had to expect bad consequences. This was indicated by what happened to Kreon when he abused his power.  Kreon settled a decree that out(p) anyone from secreteing Polyneices dead form. He was proud of his decree, and he also express that he would be a neat king by s ense of hearing to what people said regarding his decisions. When the decree was broken by Antigone, Kreon sentenced her to death. This angered the gods because they cherished the dead body of Polyneices buried, and they did not want a live body (that of Antigone) buried in a cave. Kreon was told by Haimon to change his mind, but Kreon jilted his request and went ahead and buried Antigone alive. Teiresias warned Kreon that the gods were angry and his actions were to be blamed. Kreon rejected some(prenominal) Haimons request and Teiresias warning, and as a result, he suffered in the end. In the lineage of the play, Antigone and Ismene were found arguing about whether Polyneices body should be buried. Antigone wanted to bury her brothers body, but Ismene objected because she said that they should not disobey Kreon, who had absolute power and had interdict Polyneices burial (26-80). Ismene indicated that the citizens of Thebes did not dare to go against what Kreon decreed. They al l knew that if they objected to Kreon, punishment would be the result. In the play, Kreon was first found addressing the senate as to how a find oneselfr should rule his state. He said in his long speech, I believe that he who rules in a state and fails to embrace the best mens counsels, but waistband locked in silence and vague fear, is the worst man there. I have long believed so (217-221). To impress the senate Kreon told them that he would listen to any advice they gave him because that was what a good ruler should do.