Sophocles and Greek dramatic tradition

Role of Creon

The play Antigone can certainly speak to a modern audience, because it is about the dangers of hubris, or the arrogant feeling that one can do whatever he or she wants because of the individual's feeling of power. In a democracy, we might see this when a politician declares that he has a "mandate" from the people. Some feel that it was hubris, a feeling that he could do whatever he wanted and not be held accountable, that brought the Nixon administration down. Although as king, Creon consults with the oracles and tries to respect the will of the gods, he is in power because of tremendous turmoil and unbelievable tragedies in his extended family. Instead of trying to bring consensus and closure to the terrible events, he decides that he must punish one person involved, but not both. He allows funeral ceremonies for one nephew but not the other, although both contributed in major ways to a current crisis. This is a terrible punishment for Polynices, whose soul will now have to wander the Earth instead of being ushered into the next life.

The nature of the character is complex and can be very challenging for an actor to play. One very difficult scene is when you confronts your niece, Antigone, for defying your order to not perform burial rites for Polynices. You love your niece but believe that changing your mind will be a sign of weakness the populace cannot tolerate. Creon should be played as someone compensating for his insecurity over how he became king. As Creon you should appear rigid and firm when talking to others, but when others are not looking, reveal a sense of confusion and indecision. One way to show this would be to face the audience full on when trying to be decisive, but turning a quarter turn to the left or right when concerned about what is going on.

Creon's determination to be a strong and decisive king puts him in a terrible position: he has to sentence Polynices' sister and his niece, Antigone, to death, for her defiance. Although his words are strong, his feelings are conflicted. Deliver the words that sentence her to death from a quarter turn stage left. Pound your royal staff on the stage floor while turned, once, to emphasize that this is your decision, so your physical movements are in conflict as well.

In another very difficult scene for Creon, his only son Haemon confronts him. Haemon is engaged to Antigone, so his father is going to execute the woman he loves and wants to marry. Haemon tries to reason with his father, warning him that the people are afraid of him and have sympathy for Antigone. Haemon urges him to see the problem from other angles, but Creon views that as weakness. As king you do not want to execute your niece, but you become more and more stubborn as Haemon talks. You should turn one quarter toward the chorus when you are listening to the chorus, but return to facing the audience straight on, with arms folded and chin up, as you debate with Haemon. This is intolerable to you. First Antigone mocks your ruling, and now your own sun challenges you. You have to listen to the chorus, but you do not have to listen to Haemon!