Creon Tragic Flaws

In Sophocles’s play Antigone, the throne of the city of Thebes has fallen into the hands of Creon, Antigone’s uncle, after the sudden and tragic death of Eteocles and Polynices. Under his rule, a new law forbidding anyone from burying Polyneices causes Antigone to decide between staying loyal to her country or to her family. In the play Antigone, the most real tragic hero that prevails is Creon because he embodies all the characteristics that a tragic hero must have while Antigone lacks some important characteristics. To begin, Creon conveys goodness because he chooses to punish Antigone for her crimes to keep Thebes as safe and orderly as possible.

Antigone is one of the greatest tragedies ever written by Sophocles. There is a controversial question about this play: Who is the tragic hero? Could it be Antigone or Creon? Even though the play’s name is Antigone, but as I read the story. A sensible and responsible king, Creon, is a tragic hero because of his power madness, self-righteousness, and ruthlessness.

The play Antigone by Sophocles, translated by Paul Roche, was first performed in 441 BC focuses on the life of Antigone who is the daughter to the ex-rulers of Thebes. She has 1 other sister who is not supportive since she is manipulated by her uncle Creon who now rules after her 2 brothers killed each other in a fight for the throne. Creon and Antigone are the protagonist and antagonist who don’t seem to get along very well despite being related. Creon believes one thing and is very firm on his beliefs, while Antigone’s thoughts contradict to what Creon’s beliefs are, leading to both of them butting heads with each other and in the ultimate death of Antigone. During the play, the reader can rightfully assume that Creon is the tragic hero because he definitely has the most character growth throughout the play, although; it is very difficult to notice because of his pride and his tragic flaws.

An Annotated Bibliography on Antigone Reed, Valerie. " Bringing Antigone Home. " Comparative Literature Studies (2008): 316-340.

According to the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, a tragic hero has an elevated status in society that makes a decision that will eventually lead to the downfall of that character. This choice will cause the character to receive a punishment that is unjust and exceeds the crime committed. Right before the person receives his or her punishment, the character will gain self awareness and self knowledge of what caused his or her downfall. King Creon and his niece, Antigone, both have the qualities to be classified as the tragic hero of Sophocles’s play, Antigone.

In the tragic play, Antigone by Sophocles, the character Creon, who acts as the antagonist, goes though reversal and recognition. Creon is not only the antagonist, but also the ruthless king of Thebes, and Antigone's uncle. Creon inherited the throne after the deaths of Antigone's two brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices. Throughout the play, Creon makes it clear that he objects the laws of the gods in favor of the laws of man. Because of this, he sates that since Polyneices was a traitor to Thebes, he must not be mourned or buried by any of the citizens.

In the classic play by Sophocles, Antigone is a tragic story of the bold Antigone who defied her uncle, King Creonʻs, edict by burying her brother, Polyneices, who died attacking the city of Thebes, trying to take the power away from their brother, Eteocles, who refused to share the throne with Polyneices. Even though Antigone knew that going against Creon and burying her brother would not end well for her, she still choose to risk her life to do what is right. After being caught breaking the law, Antigone is appointed to be locked away, isolated in a cave until she dies, but she hangs herself at the end. At the same time, things for Creon are not looking good, as everyone around him seems to be against him in his decision for punishing Antigone. Everyone Creon cares about kills themselves from a curse that is put on Creon for not following the Godsʻ laws.

Antigone is a play that was written by Sophocles which is about a tragic hero. What is a tragic hero? A tragic hero is a person who has a flawed characteristic which makes him fall; he must try to resolve a conflict but ends up failing. The play Antigone by Sophocles makes it hard for the readers to decide who is the tragic hero. Creon best fits in with the definition of a tragic hero.

Sophocles, in Antigone, says in a world where man cannot determine what is right or wrong we should set aside pride, accept the wisdom of those wiser than us, and submit to the gods. Pride is a curse that if left dwelling in a person, will skew their view of reality. Sophocles uses Creon as a prime example of the negative effects of pride as he makes poor decisions throughout the play. Creon’s own son Haemon realizes that he’s an extremely proud man. He tells this directly to Creon without sugar coating it that “Your [Creon’s] temper terrifies them- everyone will tell you only what you like to hear” (Scene 3 ll.

“Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way.” Antigone said this while talking to ismene about her plans to bury her brother. She is saying that Creon, the king of thebes, can not stop her from following her morals and burying her brother. Antigone is the daughter of oedipus who is also her brother. In the story antigone’s suffers the loss of both of her brothers, oedipus and polyneices.