Defending Creon's Actions in Antigone

Creon's actions can be defended if they are analyzed from a political standpoint. His main concern as king is to protect the city and maintain order. This is especially the case since Thebes is on the edge of war, and because Creon has just come into power. Therefore, Creon adopts strict rules and punishments, and stubbornly adheres to his laws.

Creon establishes a strict ruling style, even in regards to family, to gain loyalty from his citizens and to build up his authority as a new ruler. In scene one, Creon directly says he will do what he feels is best for the city, and that personal affairs or relations will not interfere with his ruling. Through this policy, Creon must treat a loyal man with respect and reverence and give nothing to renegades of the law. He shows he is true to his word right away by not allowing a proper burial for his own nephew, Polyneices, for breaking his exile and fighting against Thebes. He shows this again when he sentences Antigone, his own son's future wife, to be encased in stones for breaking his law. Creon doesn't want to give lawbreakers and traitors leeway, in order to prevent any threats of anarchy.

Creon is also stubborn and has a lot of pride, which may come from his power as king. For one, his stubbornness alone almost guarantees that he won't be swayed away from his laws, which helps to establish the laws as well as his place as a ruler. Despite Antigone's claim that the city disagreed with Creon's punishment for Polyneices, he felt it was necessary to stand by his command so he wouldn't appear to be a vulnerable ruler.

Ultimately, considering Creon's views from an authoritative point-of-view can defend his actions. He tries to set rules that will maintain order and protection for the city. He is also trying to establish power and loyalty from his citizens because he has just taken over the throne. He upholds his laws, even when they are found to go against many people's ethics, as seen with his reaction to his nephew and his niece. Lastly, his stubbornness and pride can be seen as common traits that come along with having a powerful political position, such as king.