Creon Tragic Hero Essay

Tragic heroes may end up having the worst kind of fate. One could say that Creon was an example of this. In Sophocles’ play, Antigone, interactions between Antigone and Creon molded Creon’s place as a tragic hero. Antigone played a large role in developing his role in the story because both characters were stubborn in their beliefs, Antigone’s actions and words caused Creon to act, and Antigone had a different goal in life. It all started when Polyneices became jealous of his brother when he became the king of the Thebes. He tried to overthrow the city destroying much in his path and also killed his brother. Polyneices too, ended up dying in the battle. Shortly after, their uncle Creon took the throne. He decided that Eteocles would have a proper burial unlike his brother who would

Antigone broke his law by burying Polyneices and not leaving her own brother out to be eaten by wild animals. This action that Antigone took angered Creon because he did not like the fact that someone disobeyed him. Also the way that Antigone spoke to him contributed to to his anger. Creon reacted to her pride of burying her brother by saying in the play Antigone that “This girl here was already very insolent in contravening laws we had proclaimed. Here she again displays her proud contempt—having done the act, she now boasts of it.” In his fury of her “pridefulness,” he gives her the worst kind of punishment which is death. He makes a rash decision based on how Antigone acted towards him and that really affected the story. Like other tragic heroes, Creon made a regretful decision thinking he was doing what was right even if it would change everything dramatically. It also contributes to the theme of wisdom in the play because Creon was not so wise making these decisions. He made a decision based on Antigone’s actions and no one could convince him to change it because of his stubborn