Creon in Sophocles' play Antigone plays a major role as king of Thebes. Antigone also plays an important role, as her conflicting views with Creon led to utter disaster, highlighting Creon as the tragic figure. Within the play Creon attempted to establish decisions for the common good; however, his decisions resulted in tragedy. The tragic figure Creon, initially created decisions he thought were for the well-being of Thebes; however, Antigone, who rebelled against Creon's decisions, caused Creon's rage to cloud his rational way of thinking. When Creon made the just and fair decision to forbid the burial of Polynices, as he believed Polynices was a traitor to Thebes, Antigone was outraged. Creon was only doing what any good king would do. He had no choice but to punish Antigone for going against him. What kind of ruler would he be if he didn't? The outcome of the Creon's actions ended tragically, but it is the reason why he is the tragic hero in this play.
             Most people who read this play see Creon as the bad guy and Antigone as the hero who stood up against him. This is not a far-fetched theory, because in the play Creon's followers also start to lose faith in his leadership. Haimon tells his father that the people of the city say "She covered her brother's body. Is this indecent? She kept him from dogs and vultures. Is this a crime? Death?-she should have all the honor that we can give her!"(Scene 3, line 65, pg.474). All the people in the city see is a woman being punished for a crime, not a person going against the king's rules, which she is. The person she is burying is not only her brother but a trader to Thebes and a killer to her other brother as well. The questioning the city brings causes conflict between Creon and his family. His son, wife, and even right hand man Choragos lose faith in his ideas. The idea of losing control beings the transition into the tragic hero Creon wi...