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Writing: To what extent is Creon a just ruler?

Creon is a 30% just ruler and a 70% unjust ruler. In his first public speaking to the Thebes citizens, Creon appreciates and honores citizens’ “unshakable loyalty” towards the city during the trying times. As a king of the Thebes, he praises the citizen's support and contribution to the city. Even though he holds more power than all the people, he still thinks of citizens as a partner to make the city better. The generosity makes him a just ruler. However, Creon also thinks that people should prioritize everything about the city. If they don’t, they are complete “nothing” and with “no use.” Creon sees his city as more important than the individual’s life and rights. It means that he overlooks the citizens’ differences, forces them to follow his rule no matter what, and shows dictatorship.

In his harsh words to Antigone, Creon shows that he is a 30% just ruler and a 70% unjust ruler again. In his dialogue between Antigone, Creon literally shouts out loud that he hates convicts and a traitor who shamefully tries to “glorify his crimes.” As a king of the Thebes, he draws the clear line on justice and makes the law to protect the city. But, he mocks Antigone, the female who breaks the law and seeks more power than she should, as “the man.” Creon believes that men should hold power and women shouldn’t. Any woman who tries to transgress the social rules is wrong. The mindset, again, makes him a dictator who forces women to follow his rule.

From the two monologues, I analyze that Creon is a 30% just ruler and a 70% unjust ruler.  

Extract:

Monologue1: talking to the citizen

Creon Monologue 1 Pages 7 to 9 We did this one already! Look in your document on Google Classroom to see your notes! :)

CREON:  My countrymen, the ship of state is safe.  The gods who rocked her, after a long, merciless pounding in the storm, have righted her once more. Out of the whole city I have called you here alone. Well I know, first, your undeviating respect for the throne and royal power of King Laius. Next, while Oedipus steered the land of Thebes, and even after he died, your loyalty was unshakable, you still stood by their children. Now then, since the two sons are dead—two blows of fate in the same day, cut down by each other's hands, both killers, both brothers stained with blood— as I am next in kin to the dead, I now possess the throne and all its powers. Of course you cannot know a man completely, his character, his principles, sense of judgment, not till he's shown his colors, ruling the people, making laws. Experience, there's the test. As I see it, whoever assumes the task, the awesome task of setting the city's course, and refuses to adopt the soundest policies but fearing someone, keeps his lips locked tight, he's utterly worthless. So I rate him now, I always have. And whoever places a friend above the good of his own country, he is nothing: I have no use for him. Zeus my witness, Zeus who sees all things, always—

I could never stand by silent, watching destruction march against our city, putting safety to rout, nor could I ever make that man a friend of mine who menaces our country. Remember this: our country is our safety. Only while she voyages true on course can we establish friendships, truer than blood itself. Such are my standards. They make our city great. Closely akin to them I have proclaimed, just now, the following decree to our people concerning the two sons of Oedipus. Eteocles, who died fighting for Thebes, excelling all in arms: he shall be buried, crowned with a hero's honors, the cups we pour to soak the earth and reach the famous dead. But as for his blood brother, Polynices, who returned from exile, home to his father-city and the gods of his race, consumed with one desire— to burn them roof to roots—who thirsted to drink his kinsmen's blood and sell the rest to slavery: that man—a proclamation has forbidden the city to dignify him with burial, mourn him at all. No, he must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear, an obscenity for the citizens to behold! These are my principles. Never at my hands will the traitor be honored above the patriot. But whoever proves his loyalty to the state— I'll prize that man in death as well as life.

1-What does Creon’s metaphor mean? What does the “ship of state” refer to?      The ship of state is referring to the country of Thebes. He is describing leading the country during the war to sailing a ship under extreme conditions.  2-To whom is Creon speaking? In what way are they good citizens? Creon is speaking to his citizens. They were good citizens because they were loyal to the previous rulers. They have unwavering loyalty to whoever sits on the throne or is next in line.

1-In what ways does this passage portray Creon as a just ruler? Creon is portrayed as a just ruler in the first few lines, and he uses the tone to get the citizens together without standing on any side.  2-In what ways does this passage portray Creon as an unjust ruler? Creon is portrayed as an unjust ruler as he immediately claimed power to the throne when it was empty, on the basis that he’s next of kin to Polynices and Eteocles.

1-What does “awesome” mean in line 199? What does “soundest” mean in line 200? In line 199, “awesome” means the causing feelings of great admiration, respect or fear. In line 200, “soundest” means in good condition; not damaged, injured, or diseased. Creon discusses how intimidation and fear may reduce a person's value since they become afraid. 2-Why does Creon allude to Zeus at the end of the passage? Zeus is the god and he sees everything fairly. Creon wants to protect the city and preserve the law. It demonstrates the futility of Creon’s attempt to gain power when Zeus controls everything.

1-In what ways does this passage portray Creon as a just ruler? This passage portrays that Creon understands how the citizens might think about him before showing his contribution and tries to be fair.  2-In what ways does this passage portray Creon as an unjust ruler? The passage displays that Creon sees his state as more important than the individuals living within that state. This means that the welfare of his citizens could be sacrificed for the sake of his regime and power.

Monologue3: talking to Antigone

Creon Monologue 3 Pages 18-19
CREON: No? Believe me, the stiffest stubborn wills fall the hardest; the toughest iron, tempered strong in the white-hot fire, you'll see it crack and shatter first of all. And I've known spirited horses you can break with a light bit—proud, rebellious horses. There's no room for pride, not in a slave, not with the lord and master standing by. This girl was an old hand at insolence when she overrode the edicts we made public. But once she had done it—the insolence, twice over—to glory in it, laughing, mocking us to our face with what she'd done. I am not the man, not now: she is the man if this victory goes to her and she goes free.	Never! Sister's child or closer in blood than all my family clustered at my altar worshiping Guardian Zeus—she'll never escape, she and her blood sister, the most barbaric death. Yes, I accuse her sister of an equal part in scheming this, this burial. Bring her here! I just saw her inside, hysterical, gone to pieces. It never fails: the mind convicts itself in advance, when scoundrels are up to no good, plotting in the dark. Oh but I hate it more when a traitor, caught red-handed, tries to glorify his crimes.
Question	Answer
1-CONTEXT: When does this monologue appear in the play? What is happening immediately before Creon speaks?	Creon finds out that it is Antigone who buried the body.
2-COMPREHENSION: What does this passage mean? What is Creon saying? What is the significance of the passage?	Creon accuses how Antigone is rebellious and insolent and burying the body is unacceptable. This passage is significant because it shows how Creon dislikes those who don’t follow his order and tries to rebel against him.
3-What does Creon say/do in this monologue that suggests that he is a just ruler?	He hates convicts and when a traitor tries to glorify his crimes even though he got caught.
4-What does Creon say/do in this monologue that suggests that he is an unjust ruler?	He accuses Antigone’s sister of conspiring with Antigone, without any proof, likely simply due to his rage. Sexism: He says that if Antigone goes free he will not be “the man” but rather her.

Monologue1: 

1. Good: Speak to the citizen

2. Good: Appreciate their loyalty

3. Bad: The country is prioritized than individual’s life

Monologue3

1. Good: punish the traitors according to the law. 

2. Bad: Men in patriarchal society have to be higher than women in society. The irony that Creon says that women who have power becomes “the man”shows that Creon doesn’t see all the citizens equally and discriminates against women.

To what extent is Creon a just ruler?

Creon is a 30% just ruler and a 70% unjust ruler. In his first public speaking to the Thebes citizens, Creon appreciates and honores citizens’ “unshakable loyalty” towards the city during the trying times. As a king of the Thebes, he praises the citizen's support and contribution to the city. Even though he holds more power than all the people, he still thinks of citizens as a partner to make the city better. The generosity makes him a just ruler. However, Creon also thinks that people should prioritize everything about the city. If they don’t, they are complete “nothing” and with “no use.” Creon sees his city as more important than the individual’s life and rights. It means that he overlooks the citizens’ differences, forces them to follow his rule no matter what, and shows dictatorship.

In his harsh words to Antigone, Creon shows that he is a 30% just ruler and a 70% unjust ruler again. In his dialogue between Antigone, Creon literally shouts out loud that he hates convicts and a traitor who shamefully tries to “glorify his crimes.” As a king of the Thebes, he draws the clear line on justice and makes the law to protect the city. But, he mocks Antigone, the female who breaks the law and seeks more power than she should, as “the man.” Creon believes that men should hold power and women shouldn’t. Any woman who tries to transgress the social rules is wrong. The mindset, again, makes him a dictator who forces women to follow his rule.

From the two monologues, I analyze that Creon is a 30% just ruler and a 70% unjust ruler.