In Antigone by Sophocles, Creon is the tragic hero of the play, and suffers the greatest downfall of them all. This all began when he announced himself as the new king of the city of Thebes. Creon stated loud and clearly to everybody that if anybody felt the need to bury the body of Polynices, they will be facing serious consequences such as sentencing to death. Due to his unexpected change, everybody in the city now looks at him differently than how they first looked at him. The stubbornness and cruelty he gives to the land of Thebes makes him be feared and he feels as if he has the right word of everything. .
The sentencing of Antigone brings the first appearance of Creons tragic flaw. Antigone wants to bury his dead brother Polynices, but Creon opposes. Polynices wasnt allowed to receive a proper funeral like his brother Eteocles did because in the war only his brother fought for Creon. Antigone saw this as an unfair statement, therefore she picks up the body off the ground and buries his brother; He is my brother still, and yours; though you would have it otherwise, but I shall not abandon him(Sophocles 193), were Antigones words showing she will not abandon his brother. Creon then found out about this and put her in a cave all by herself. He gave her a limited supply of food even with the uncomfortable temperature conditions of the cave. Polyneices dies and this made Creons reputation go down. .
Creons stubbornness and abuse of power also led him to his downfall. Creon thought that by being king he was able to do whatever he wanted without anybody telling him otherwise. Since he thought he could have everything going his way, he believed he could break the laws of God as well. He didnt ask people for their opinion on how they will like the new arrangements. He did so by telling his people Whatever you say will not change my will. The corruption of the city of Thebes was caused by him when he tried to measure Gods powers with his own.