“Not even death can make a foe a friend. Die then, and love the dead if thou must;
No woman shall be the master while I live.”(522-524). The Greeks held several virtues in high regard. Many characters in the play Antigone, either are an example, or just the opposite, of one or several of the virtues. The ruler of Thebes, King Creon, illustrates several of the Greek virtues throughout the play. The three that the king exhibits rather well are Kalokagathia, Sophrysne, and Arete.
Balance can be a difficult thing to not only achieve but more often is even harder to sustain. Kalokagathia is the Greek character virtue of balance. It is however, important in keeping the universe in order. There are plenty of opposing topics that have been an issue for thousands of years. Balancing is finding the happy medium for two opposing topics. For example: church and state, law and justice, man and the gods, one’s self and other people, and a job and family. As ruler of a kingdom, King Creon certainly had to deal with balancing many different facets of life. As the highest ruler in the land he has much more to balance than the average man and there are many people who are affected by the way he tries to maintain this balance. He takes his role as king quite seriously, he strives for excellence. He makes this clear when addressing the elders, “A man who rules the entire state and does not take the best advice there is, but through fear keeps his mouth forever shut, such a man is the very worst of men”. [178-182] He shows the importance of maintaining the desired midpoint of wise counsel and his own ideas. King Creon shows that his scales tend to lean in favor his country over anything else. “A man who thinks more highly of a friend than of his country, well, he means nothing to me.” [182-184] He will never accept anyone who has tried to bring harm to his beloved Thebes. “For anyone who acts against the state, its enemy, I’d never make my friend.”[185-188]. When things are not balanced the cost can be great. His soon to be daughter-in-law goes against the order, he issued, to leave the corpses of her cousin, Polyneices, out for “dogs and birds as a clear reminder of his shameful fate”[204-205]. He stands by his decree and orders her to be put to death. Doing what must be done is rarely the easy thing also. Sophrysne is a virtue that almost all great leaders possess. King Creon is no exception. Sophrysne is defined as one who shows great wisdom and discernment. Which often goes hand in hand with self-control and quality leadership ability. It is needed to have the other Greek virtues of Kalokagathia and Arete. He has selflessly given his everything to the throne and his country. The king showcases Sophrysne when he comes before the elders and places high value on their advice knowing they are wiser than him. King Creon also is able to show restraint when bad news is brought to him, he does not let emotion take over his actions. When the guard comes to tell him that someone has broken the king’s command and the body of Polyneices has been taken and buried. Even though Creon is upset, he speaks logically and does not just lash out at the guard. He shows restraint again when Antigone is caught defying the king’s orders she is brought before him. When asked the reason for her actions to which she boldly mocks the king by saying “I know all too well I’m going to die, how could I not? It makes no difference what you decree...”. [460-462] But instead of having her beheaded or drawn and quartered, he listens to her. He is patient with her, even though he clearly thinks she is quite foolish. He does the same when Antigone’s sister, Ismene, is brought before him. He listens to her as well, instead of having the two traitors killed immediately. He does condemn them both to death for their actions, even though Antigone is his son’s fiancée. This might seem heart less but King Creon takes his emotions out the equation. When Ismene asks “You’re going to kill your own son’s bride?” [650] the king replies with “Why not? There are other fields for him to plough…I have no desire my son should have an evil wife.”[653] But this is what he must do as king if someone disobeys his orders, no matter who they are. It is how he maintains Kalokagathia. The final Greek virtue that King Creon exemplifies is Arete. This value is about being the best you can be or reaching your full potential. This is the trait that helps to distinguish a great person from an evil one. It is the hero trait. He is a king and man of excellence and power. King Creon really first embodies this when he first speaks to the city’s elders about the principles on which he will run his kingdom. “It’s impossible to really know a man, to know his soul, his mind and will, before one witnesses his skill in governing and making laws.” [198-201] He seeks to be the best ruler for his kingdom and will seek counsel from wise men and will not stand for people going against the state. He knows the burden that is placed on his shoulders as king and accepts that responsibility. The king really stands on one thing if you are a friend to Thebes then all is well if not, he has nothing for you. He also hold those who die for the kingdom in high regard and will see to it that they are honored with a proper burial. When the king speaks his orders about what is to be done about the brothers who died in a war over Thebes, Eteocles, who fought to defend Thebes, is given every honor and laid with “the noblest corpses”[197]. His son, Haemon, trusted his judgment enough to give up his marriage. “Father, I’m yours. For me your judgments and the ways you act on them are good I shall follow them. I’ll not consider any marriage a greater benefit than your fine leadership.” [720-725] Haemon is also exemplifying Arete with these words of honor spoken to his king and when he speaks to his father about Antigone’s actions saying they were noble. He said what others would not or could not. But the king now has two choices, either he is loyal to his country and stand on his decree or he is loyal to his family and shows her mercy. His deep love for his country and his striving for its excellence make it and easy choice at first. But after listening to other he shows her mercy. Even though it was too late he still exhibits Arete. Creon also shows the virtue when speaking to the prophet Teirasias. Even though what the prophet tells him is difficult to hear, “Foolishness…that’s the sickness now infecting you.”[1053] he is still respectful, “I have no desire to denigrate a prophet when I speak.”[1055] He openly listens to the advice that Teirasias gives him.
The king of Thebes did show are Kalokagathia, Sophrysne, and Arete he still made some mistakes. His strive to achieve overall excellence came at a price. At the end he was left with no one because he stood by what he had ordered. Overall King Creon showed how important it is to maintain balance in every aspect of one’s life.

Works Cited
Johnston, Ian. "Sophocles, Antigone (e-text)." Sophocles, Antigone. Http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/Sophocles/Antigone.htm, 1 Apr. 2014. Web. 9 Oct. 2014.