Near the end of the play "Antigone" by Sophocles, the Chorus states that it was Creon's own hubris that led to his downfall, and that if he had noticed his flaws earlier, his son and wife would not have killed themselves. I don't think this is entirely true. I believe that Creon was always aware of his pride - as evident throughout the play in his ruling. Earlier this week when our class was discussing if Creon ruled by ego or by principle, I decided that he ruled based by principle, but his principle was tainted by his overinflated ego. He knows that he his ruling unfairly, but his pride will not let him change his ways. For example, when the sentry goes to Creon to inform him that somebody did, in fact, bury Polynices's body, Creon immediately believes that a man defied him, not a woman. After the same man comes back bringing Antigone as a prisoner, Creon cannot even comprehend that a woman could go against his ruling. The Chorus, as well, follows Creon's statement by suggesting to Antigone that she should learn to "bend" to Creon's rule. Creon knows that when he sentences Antigone to prison that it is too extreme. When Haemon comes to negotiate with his father, Creon retaliates to Haemon's logic with emotion. He asks Haemon if he loves him, no matter what he does. This shows that Creon is willing to admit that he is wrong to himself, but he doesn't want the community to know. By telling Haemon he'll do whatever he wants as long as he still appears in charge.
But do people with hubris only realize their faults after it's too late? I think this is only true in some circumstances. For people who are unaware of their hubris, it's true. One will only see their mistakes after they have made them. For Creon, however, he had the option to stop his prideful ruling and rule fairly, but he did not stop. Although he had the "realization" period of his wrongdoings, he was always aware of his ego. As long as one stays within reason and knows that their pride could get out of hand, he will be fine. Creon was not willing to appear foolish or weak and it cost him his son and his wife. More times than not, pride will lead to one's destruction.
So you think that Creon is aware on some level that his law violates an important principle, but that his stubborn insistence on his own will overwhelms his ability to acknowledge the wrong he is committing? An interesting interpretation of the character, and one that has some resonance (at least for me) with the basics of human nature.
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