Creon Character Analysis in Medea

Creon, son of Lycaethus, is the king of Corinth, the city-state where the events of Medea take place. He is a discerning judge of character, and accurately determines Medea's intentions, yet he does a poor job of applying his insight in service of justice. He enables Jason's crimes against his wife and then banishes Medea to protect Jason and himself from Medea's possible retribution for those crimes. He eventually dies entangled in the poisoned gown Medea gives to his daughter, the Princess.

Creon Quotes in Medea

The Medea quotes below are all either spoken by Creon or refer to Creon. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Medea, scowling there with fury at your husband!
I have given orders that you should leave the country:
Take your two sons and go, into exile. No delay!

Related Characters: Creon (speaker), Medea, Jason

Page Number and Citation: 259-261

Explanation and Analysis:

You sound harmless, but in your heart
I'm terrified you're plotting some evil.
I trust you know even less than before.
A passionate woman—or a man, for that matter—
Is easier to guard against, than one who's clever,
And holds her tongue.

Related Characters: Creon (speaker), Medea

Page Number and Citation: 303-309

Explanation and Analysis:

It's not my nature to be a tyrant.
My concern for others has often cost me dearly.
Now too, madam, I see I'm making a mistake,
But, still, I grant your request…

Related Characters: Creon (speaker), Medea

Page Number and Citation: 335-338

Explanation and Analysis:

Do you think I would have fawned on Creon
Except to win some profit by my schemes?
I would not have spoken to him – nor touched him.
But he is such a fool that,
When he could have arrested all my plans
By banishing me, he has allowed me
To stay this one day, in which three of my enemies
I'll send to their death…

Related Characters: Medea (speaker), Creon

Page Number and Citation: 355-362

Explanation and Analysis:

Creon Character Timeline in Medea

The timeline below shows where the character Creon appears in Medea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...and Jason has betrayed her and his children by marrying the Princess, the daughter of Creon, the king of Corinth. Medea, meanwhile, according to the Nurse, has been possessed by powerful... (full context)

...past the area where old men play dice, he says, he heard them say that Creon is going to exile Medea and her children. The Tutor says he doesn't know if... (full context)

...he has done. The Chorus agrees to her request and interrupts to say the ruler, Creon, is approaching. Creon arrives at the door and orders Medea into exile with her two... (full context)

Medea tells Creon that he is acting based on her reputation as a clever and conniving woman and... (full context)

After her speech, Creon trusts Medea even less than before even though, he says, she sounds harmless. He is... (full context)

Creon threatens to forcibly eject Medea with the help of his men, so Medea relents and... (full context)

...admits that she is beset by host of problems but hints that the troubles of Creon, Jason, and the Princess are yet to come. She laughs at Creon and calls him... (full context)

...spare none of her skill and go boldly into danger, and reminds herself that, unlike Creon and his family, she is of divine birth, the granddaughter of Helios, the sun god.... (full context)

...that what he did was wise and right. As an exile, the opportunity to marry Creon's daughter, the Princess, was the best thing Jason says he could have hoped for. It's... (full context)

...best for her to be banished, but that the boys should stay. Jason should beg Creon to let them. Jason says he will try to persuade Creon. Medea tells him to... (full context)

...she should escape. He tells her that the Princess is dead by her poison and Creon is dead from embracing her in her death throes. Medea calls it "wonderful news." (full context)

The Messenger asks Medea if she is mad for celebrating news of Creon and the Princess's deaths—doesn't such news frighten her? Medea says she will answer, but first... (full context)

...her skin, she let out a deeper more shocked wail. Maids rushed to the king, Creon, and to Jason. People rushed all about the palace. The Princess said nothing for some... (full context)

...and gruesomely died. The servants, having seen her death, were afraid to touch her but Creon rushed in and threw himself on the Princess and prayed to die with her. When... (full context)

...children, however, and is worried his new relatives might do something to them to avenge Creon and the Princess's murder. The Chorus pities Jason's ignorance. He thinks that the Chorus means... (full context)