Since ancient times, philosophers and writers have sought to understand how people use power and how, in turn, a that use of power affects themselves and their actions. In the play "Antigone," by Sophocles, the characters of Antigone and Creon reveal one such effect. Although the power the characters have varies greatly, the influence it has on their minds is the same. The play reveals how power, whether real or not, causes one to become arrogant and oblivious and inevitably leads to tragedy. Creon's wielding of power as the ruler of Thebes leads to hubris which in turn causes him to lose touch with the world around him, including the people he represents and leads. He ignores any and all advice from others which leads to his eventual downfall. Creon believes that his power elevates him above all others and he asserts a level of almost divine right and infallibility. After he sentenced Antigone to death he was warned several times to reconsider. After his son Haemon tells him that his citizens on Antigone's side Creon says, "Will the nation tell me what orders I can give?"" (883). He is overwhelmed by his belief that his power must be absolute and unyielding that he goes directly against the will of the people he supposed to represent. Creon also ignores the warning given to him by the prophet Teiresias for whom he had great respect. He was intent on hearing what Tiresias had to say prior to the warning but completely changed his changed his mind when Teiresias warns him that the gods are angry because Creon has defied the divine laws by prohibiting the burial of Polynices. Teiresias asks Creon if he thinks the prophecies are lies to which he responds, "Yes, and I say so because you love cash,/ all of you, prophetic profiteers."" (1222-1223). The second someone criticized the way he was ruling he Creon believes that any opposition to his rule is a threat to his authority and he makes wild accusations to discredit even those whom he loves and respects the most.
