Pride is a character flaw that leads to destruction and utter loneliness. In the play Antigone, Sophocles demonstrates the wrath the Gods can expel to mortals who willingly choose power and pride against following divine law. Even though the audience is familiar with the mythological tale, they enjoy the unraveling of each character and the effects each character is afflicted with. Creon, the king of Thebes, goes through a series of conflicts challenged by an outspoken woman, and entangles himself in a dangerous web of catastrophe. His regard for earthly law greatly outweighs divine law; therefore, he believes to have ultimate power to change any law at his command. Pride is weakness mortals incoherently subdue themselves with, and can be seen as the origin of strength or self-destruction. Creon's unyielding pride, stubbornness, and power blinds his perception of wisdom, and causes him to indulge in poor judgement.
Antigone is a mythological Greek play that begins with Antigone, a strong-willed woman determined to bury her brother, Polynices, with the acceptance that punishment will follow because King Creon's forbids the burial. Creon is outraged of the defiance, and disrespect a feeble woman has showed him in front of all of Thebes. He declares her his prisoner, and sentences her to an early doom of living in a tomb. Haemon, Creon's son, tries to persuade him to open his eyes, and see that the Thebans are on Antigone's side, but Creon's pride overcomes him and begins to insults his son. In outrage Haemon leaves, and a seer, Teriresias, visits Creon. He foretells the disease that plagues Creon, and the destruction that will overcome Creon if he does not let Antigone free. He mocks Teriresias, and dismisses the warning. The elders plea with him to change his mistake. When his does agree, it is too late. Antigone hung herself, Haemon, overwhelmed with pain stabs himself, and Eurydice stabs herself in the heart blaming Creon for Haemon's death.
