antigone essay creon tragic hero

Who Is The Tragic Hero In Antigone? The King, Creon & Antigone

Creon is often mentioned as the tragic hero in Antigone, the third of the Theban plays. Is it possible, though, that an Antigone tragic hero essay could take another tack? Is it possible there is more than one tragic hero of Antigone ?

A tragic hero is most commonly a character who, despite their good intentions, is doomed to fail , suffering or defeat. Ordinarily, the hero’s own hubris or other character flaw is the cause of their downfall. The most classic tragic hero of all, of course, is Oedipus himself. Doomed from even before his birth by a prophecy, Oedipus does all he can to avoid his fate. His own pride and lack of knowledge work against him, and in the end, he fulfills the tragic prophecy.

His storyline ends, and that of his children picks up in Antigone. Tragic hero stories ordinarily contain a character who falls to their own hubris.

How is Antigone a tragic hero ?

Her heroism’s tragedy is a bit more subtle than that of Creon’s because her “fatal flaw” is a positive trait rather than a negative one. Her flaw is not pride nor hubris, but rather a fierce dedication and love of her family.

How Is Antigone a Hero?

The first criteria for being a “tragic hero” is, of course, for a character to be a hero. A hero is known for unusual “courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Antigone fulfills all three criteria. She shows a great deal of courage both in Oedipus at Colonus, when she steadfastly accompanies her father, and in Antigone. Her courage becomes clear from the play’s opening lines, when she vows to her sister Ismene that she will bury their brother, with or without Creon’s approval . Her loyalty to her family is stronger than her fear of the punishment promised by the king. 

Her outstanding achievement includes going, in the night, and defying the orders of her uncle, Creon , to bury her brother Polyneices . To do this, she must slip past the guards and do difficult and heavy work very quickly and likely in the dark, as secretively as possible.

Her noble character is expressed in her unwavering loyalty to her family . Her character is subtly emphasized at the beginning of the play when she meets Ismene to inform her of her plans. Ismene, fearing Creon’s wrath, refuses to join her sister or help her. Antigone announces that she will go with or without Ismene’s help. Ismene begs her not to carry out such a foolish and reckless act, but Antigone is determined and leaves the palace while her sister returns to her own rooms, too afraid of the consequences to stand up to Creon’s stubbornness.

The Tragedy of Antigone

The “tragic” part is a bit more complicated. Ordinarily, a tragic hero is doomed by some flaw in their own character. Oedipus was doomed by his lack of knowledge- not knowing he was adopted. He was the victim of two negative traits: ignorance and hubris . His attempts to circumvent the prophecy and the will of the gods are borne of his belief that he can outrun the prediction. Oedipus, upon hearing the prophecy that he will murder his father and marry his mother, flees. And by fleeing from his home in Corinth to try to escape the prophecy, he unknowingly puts himself in the position of fulfilling it. 

Antigone does not suffer hubris , nor is she ignorant of her situation. She understands her uncle’s decree and the danger of defying it, but she chooses to risk Creon’s anger in favor of her loyalty to her family. Antigone recognizes Creon’s stubbornness and insists upon going against his unjust decree to bury her dead brother, a noble gesture. While it could be argued that Antigone’s pride is what drives her, it is difficult to deny the courage of her sacrifice .

Why is Antigone the Tragic Hero?

The play Antigone is unusual because it contains two tragic heros. The more obvious one is Creon , whose stubborn pride costs him nearly everything. Having already lost his two nephews to war, he loses his niece and his own son. The tragic losses of Antigone and Creon’s son could have been avoided. But w hy is Antigone a tragic hero ? In large part, the cause of her martyrdom is Creon’s pride. 

The uncle and his niece are both strong-willed characters. Antigone shows unusual courage for a female in Greek mythology. While most women are portrayed as wives, daughters, or mothers, Antigone has lost a father, and her husband plays a relatively minor part in the conflict. Her loyalty to her brother and her insistence on giving him proper burial rights contrast sharply with other characters’ behaviors.

Her own mother, Jocasta, once tried to have her son, Oedipus, murdered as an infant to prevent the tragic prophecy. Because of Jocasta’s lack of will and strength to carry out the deed herself, Oedipus lived. It is fate why Antigone and her siblings that Jocasta failed. They would not have existed if Oedipus had died as an infant. The siblings’ very existence was cursed by the relationship Oedipus entered with his own biological mother, who also became his children’s mother.

Ismene’s character is more typical of a woman in Greek mythology. Indecisive and aware of her “place” in the palace hierarchy, Ismene refuses to go against authority. She begs Antigone to think of her, knowing she will be left alone if Antigone’s deed is discovered. She is terrified for Antigone, but not strong enough to join her in her defiance. It is not until after the deed is carried out that Ismene tries to join Antigone in her punishment, so that she won’t have to live without her sister. 

Ismene is weak and indecisive, but her sister has a strength of character. Antigone’s loyalty and steadfastness gave her the strength to do what she felt was right. She stood against Creon’s decree to go to the battlefield and give Polyneices a suitable burial. She has already lost her father and both brothers, and she refuses to see her brother’s body desecrated.

Women in Greek mythology faced very different challenges from their male counterparts. Oedipus’ battle with authority was more open . He fought Laius, and unknowingly killed his own father . Later he faced the Sphinx terrorizing the area, and defeated that as well. 

Antigone acted in defiance of authority, standing up against her uncle’s unjust orders . Her fight was much more passive than Oedipus’ had been, but it was equally difficult. Defying the king meant certain death. Antigone went into her battle fully aware of the consequences of her actions. She deemed her own life a reasonable price to pay for her dead brother’s dignity and her loyalty to her sibling’s memory.

Antigone Pays the Price

When Creon learns of her disobedience, he confronts her, but she refuses to back down, reminding him that the very law of nature and the gods are on her side . Creon, furious at being defied by a woman, insists that he would rather have her executed than spare her as his son’s future wife. Haemon, Creon’s son , is predictably upset at his father’s stubborn refusal to pardon his cousin/wife. Even with Ismene pleading for her sister’s life, Creon refuses to spare her. Finally, he is convinced to seal her into a tomb rather than have her directly executed . He declares that since she wished her brother buried, she will have her wish, but she will join him, sealed for eternity in a tomb. 

Once more, Ismene’s lack of strength is used as a subtle contrast to emphasize Antigone’s courage. Ismene begs to be allowed to join her sister in death, but Antigone refuses, saying her life “is enough.” Ismene, distraught, leaves the room and is not heard from again in the play. She was unable to join her sister in committing the crime of defying Creon. Antigone will not allow her either the horror or the honor of joining her in death for a crime she did not commit. 

It is not until the blind prophet, Tiresias , comes and informs Creon that he has brought the wrath of the gods upon Thebes with his stubborn refusal to fulfill the natural law and bury Polyneices that he relents. He goes to the tomb with Haemon to release Antigone, but they find that Antigone has hung herself in despair upon arrival upon arrival upon arrival .

Antigone’s last act of defiance was to join her father and brothers in death. At this moment, she becomes a truly tragic hero. Pride and fear drove her to hang herself just before she would have been rescued and released from her fate. Haemon, furious and grieving, swings his sword to kill his own father in revenge for his bride. He misses and stabs himself. He dies with Antigone, and Creon is left with only the weaker of the sisters .

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Creon as the Tragic Hero

Antigone then decided it was her duty to bury Polyneices, so she disobeyed Creon’s decree and covered Polyneices’ body with dirt and wine. Unfortunately, Antigone was caught in the act of burying Polyneices so, Creon sentenced her (his own sons finance) to be put into a stone vault, to die of starvation and for Polyneices’ body to be uncovered. Then a messenger came and told Creon that there would be a tragic ending because of his error in judgement. Creon then quickly ordered Antigone to be freed and Polyneices to be buried, but he was too late.

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Antigone (Creon as the Tragic Hero)

In 'Antigone' written by Sophocles, Creon is the tragic hero. Creon is the tragic hero because of his error in judgement, stubborn way of ruling Thebes, his change, and all the tragedy brought on by his actions. Although Creon changed only when a messenger told him there would be a tragic ending because of all his actions, he did try to correct what he had done. Creon ordered that Polyneices' body be left out to be eaten by vultures andwhile dogs because Polyneices rebelled against his brother Esteocles' rule in Thebes.

In this incident, both Polyneices and Esteocles (the ruler of Thebes) were killed. Creon's stubborn way of ruling influenced everything that occurred because of him giving Esteocles a formal burial and leaving Polyneices' body out to be eaten. Antigone, the sister of Polyneices and Esteocles, thought it was wrong that Esteocles had a formal burial and Polyneices was left out to be eaten by wild dogs and vultures.

Antigone then decided it was her duty to bury Polyneices, so she disobeyed Creon's decree and covered Polyneices' body with dirt and wine. Unfortunately, Antigone was caught in the act of burying Polyneices so, Creon sentenced her (his own sons finance) to be put into a stone vault, to die of starvation and for Polyneices' body to be uncovered. Then a messenger came and told Creon that there would be a tragic ending because of his error in judgement. Creon then quickly ordered Antigone to be freed and Polyneices to be buried, but he was too late.

In the meantime, a messenger told Eurydice (Creon's wife) that her son Haimon was dead and that his death was caused by Creon's actions. Eurydice killed herself because the son she loved most was dead. In the meantime, Creon discovered that Polyneices' body had been eaten by vultures and wild dogs so he quickly went to the vault Antigone was put in. WhenCreon arrived at the vault, he found Antigone had hung herself with her wedding dressand his son Haimon had killed himself because of the death of Antigone.

Creon returned home to tell his wife Eurydice of all the tragedy caused by his own error in judgement, only to find Eurydice dead too. In account of Creon's stubborn rule and error in judgement, everyone he loved was dead. Although Creon did change and try to reverse his wrong doings, and was not able to do so, he was still an overall good man and didn't mean to bring this tragedy upon himself. Just because of Creon's mistakes he had to live the rest of his life with guilt for causing many deaths.

Author: Arnold Campbell

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The Tragic Hero: Creon from The Play "Antigone" by Sophocles

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Why Is Creon A Tragic Hero

Sophocles’ Antigone is a tragic play about the struggle between Creon, the king of Thebes, and his niece Antigone. Creon has ordered that anyone who attempts to bury Polynices, Antigone’s brother who was killed in battle, shall be put to death. Antigone defies this order and is arrested. She argues with Creon that it is her right as a daughter of Oedipus to bury her brother. Creon is unmoved by her arguments and condemns her to death.

Creon represents the traditional view of heroism: he is a powerful man who believes in order and strength. He is not willing to listen to opposing viewpoints, which leads to his downfall. Antigone, on the other hand, represents a new kind of heroism: she is willing to die for what she believes in. In the end, both Creon and Antigone are tragic heroes who suffer because of their own flaws. Sophocles’ play shows that neither traditional nor new heroic values are perfect.

Creon is the tragic hero in Sophocles’ “Antigone.” Creon is a tragic hero because of his poor decision-making, methodical manner of ruling Thebes, transition, and all the tragedy caused by his actions. Although Creon only changed when a messenger informed him that there would be a tragic ending as a result of all his actions, he did try to make things right. Polyneices’ body was left exposed for the vultures and dogs to devour since he rebelled against Esteocles’ leadership in Thebes.

Antigone, Polyneices’ sister, did not want him to be treated in such a way and decided to bury him. Creon found out and sentenced her to death. Creon was not aware of how his actions affected others until it was too late. He realized that he had made a mistake in sentencing Antigone to death, but it was already too late.

Antigone killed herself, and Haemon, Creon’s son, killed himself because he could not live without Antigone. By punishing Antigone unjustly, Creon brought much destruction on himself and his family. Creon is the tragic hero Sophocles wrote about because of the many unforeseen consequences brought about by his actions.

Sophocles wrote “Antigone” around 441 BC, which is a play that contains the Sophoclean tragedy. In Sophocles’ Antigone, the question of who the tragic hero really is, has been a subject of debate for a great number of years. Sophocles’ conveys his idea of a tragic hero through the character flaw of Creon. Although Sophocles does not give a definitive answer to this question, there are many factors that suggest that Creon is the tragic hero of Antigone.

Creon is introduced in the first scene as “a man not easily led astray” by anyone or anything (Sophocles 1). He has just been announced as the new king of Thebes after the death of Oedipus, and he is eager to prove himself to his people. Sophocles presents Creon as a good leader who wants what is best for his city, but he is also shown to be quite stubborn and unyielding. This combination of qualities makes him a tragic hero because it leads to his downfall.

One of the first things that Creon does as king is issue a decree that Polyneices, one of the sons of Oedipus, is not to be given a proper burial. Polyneices had attacked Thebes in an attempt to take the throne away from his brother Eteocles. Since Eteocles was defending Thebes, he was considered a hero and Polyneices was viewed as a traitor. Creon’s decree is based on his belief that anyone who fights against Thebes must be hated by the gods and deserves to be punished.

When Antigone learns of Creon’s decree, she knows that it is her duty to bury her brother. She argues with Creon, but he will not listen to her. He is convinced that he is right and that Antigone is wrong. This stubbornness leads to Creon’s downfall, as Antigone ends up burying her brother anyway.

Creon’s tragic flaw ultimately causes him to lose everything that he loves: his son, his wife, and his city. He is forced to watch as his family and his kingdom are destroyed, and he can do nothing to stop it. This makes him the tragic hero of Antigone.

In Sophocles’ Antigone, Creon is the character who undergoes the most change. At the beginning of the play, he is a stubborn man who will not listen to anyone. By the end of the play, he has learned from his mistakes and has realized that he was wrong about Polyneices. He acknowledges his own flaws and takes responsibility for his actions. This makes him a more tragic figure than if he had never changed at all.

After this, Antigone decided it was her duty to bury Polyneices, so she violated Creon’s order and covered his body with earth and wine. Unfortunately, Antigone was caught burying Polyneices before she could finish the task, and as a result of his mistake in judgment, Creon sentenced her (his own sons financed) to be put into a stone vault where she would die of hunger.

Then a messenger arrived bearing bad news for Creon: he had made a terrible error in judgement. Although relieved that he was no longer required to watch over them, he nevertheless went about performing tasks such as gathering wood for firewood or hunting animals on his own initiative; something which later caused friction between him and Eteoc

Antigone had already hanged herself. When Haemon, Creon’s son, came to see his finance (Antigone) in the vault and found her dead, he drew his sword on his father. In Sophocles’ play Antigone, he writes about a tragic hero, King Creon. Sophocles defines a tragic hero as someone who is not an evil man, but a good man who makes a tragic mistake.

A tragic hero must also have a tragic flaw and this is what causes his downfall. Sophocles shows that Creon has a tragic flaw when he is too stubborn to listen to anyone else’s opinion but his own. This ultimately leads to his downfall because if he would have listened to his son, Haemon, or his wife, Eurydice, then Antigone would not have died. Sophocles also says that a tragic hero must realize his mistake before it is too late and this is also true for Creon.

He realizes his mistake when the messenger tells him what happened to Haemon and Eurydice. If Creon had realized his mistake earlier then Antigone and Haemon would still be alive. In conclusion, Sophocles’ play Antigone is about a tragic hero, King Creon, who suffers from a tragic flaw, which is stubbornness. This tragic flaw leads to his downfall and causes the death of many people including his own son wife. Sophocles shows that a tragic hero must realize his mistake before it is too late and this is also true for Creon.

He realizes his mistake when the messenger tells him what happened to Haemon and Eurydice. If Creon had realized his mistake earlier then Antigone and Haemon would still be alive. Tragic heroes are important in Greek tragedies because they teach people about the dangers of hubris. Sophocles was one of the first playwrights to write about tragedies and he did so to warn people about the dangers of hubris. Hubris is excessive pride and this is what caused Creon’s downfall.

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