Antigone · Character

Creon

Thebes's new king, who stakes his authority on one edict—leave Polyneices unburied—and cannot imagine a law above his own.

major

Also known as Teiresias Creon, Creon Elders, Creon Woman, Creon Living, Creon Strophe, Exit Creon

First appearance: antigone

As a major figure in Antigone, Creon is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Creon in antigone Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Haemon (family): Creon is Haemon's father, and their relationship is strained by Creon's harsh decree against Antigone, whom Haemon loves. With Messenger (professional): The Messenger serves Creon, delivering news and reports, often bearing tragic tidings. With Antigone (rivalry): Antigone defies Creon's law to bury her brother, making them direct antagonists in a conflict of state versus family loyalty.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Creon sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Creon in antigone

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Creon sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Professional
Rivalry

Character groups

Protagonist
Tragic family legacy
Divine and mortal forces

+2 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Relationships

Haemon
family · negative
Creon is Haemon's father, and their relationship is strained by Creon's harsh decree… How this plays out →
Messenger
professional · ambivalent
Antigone
rivalry · negative
Oedipus
family · negative
Eurydice
family · negative
Fate
psychological · negative
Zeus
psychological · ambivalent
Messenger
professional · ambivalent
Haemon
family · negative
Creon is Haemon's father, and their relationship is strained by Creon's harsh decree… How this plays out →

Haemon
Creon is Haemon's father, and their relationship is strained by Creon's harsh decree against Antigone, whom Haemon loves.
Messenger
The Messenger serves Creon, delivering news and reports, often bearing tragic tidings.
Antigone
Antigone defies Creon's law to bury her brother, making them direct antagonists in a conflict of state versus family loyalty.
Oedipus
Creon is Oedipus's brother-in-law, and their relationship is marked by political tension and past accusations of treachery.
Eurydice
Eurydice is Creon's wife, and their relationship is strained by grief after the deaths of their son Haemon.
Fate
Creon is tormented by the concept of fate, which he tries to defy but ultimately succumbs to, leading to his ruin.
Zeus
Creon appeals to Zeus as the god of order, but his hubris leads him to misinterpret divine will, creating a strained relationship.
Messenger
The Messenger serves Creon, delivering news and reports, often bearing tragic tidings.
Haemon
Creon is Haemon's father, and their relationship is strained by Creon's harsh decree against Antigone, whom Haemon loves.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Creon in antigone