Scene 1

• Creon, Antigone's uncle, has claimed the throne on account of Eteocles' death.
• Scene 1 begins with Creon's statement of political philosophy, that he does not expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office.
• Creon's speech contains an extended metaphor calling Thebes a ship of state and that a king and his citizens must put the state above all.
• Immediately, a guard comes in an informs him that Polyneices has been buried. Creon storms away and orders the sentry to 'find me the man!'.
• Cream must establish the legitimacy of his rule and does so by establishing a no tolerance policy regarding the burial of Polyneices.
• Creon cannot comprehend that the crime could be done by a woman, hence the ironic statement to bring him the man.
• There seems to be an underlying current of rebellion as evidenced by the Sentry's comment about the King's conscience and Choragos' suggestions that perhaps the gods are punishing him.