Hubris In Antigone

Would you execute your niece if she disobeyed your command? Antigone and Ismene's uncle, Creon, the king of Thebes, would execute his niece. Greek tragedian Sophocles is the author of the tragic "Antigone" play. In the tragedy, Antigone goes to bury her brother Polyneices, even though Creon, himself, forbade everyone. The sentry witnesses her doing the act and takes her to the castle to interrogate her. She is given the death penalty by starvation despite being Creon's niece, he exhibited no remorse. Everyone in the kingdom attempts to persuade Creon to forgive his niece and let her live, but Creon rejects their arguments because he believes they are all pursuing his money. Even though Antigone displays some mild hubris, Creon is the play's true tragic hero. Despite many around him who were prepared to assist him, he killed many of his people, had too much arrogance about his country, and was only interested in making money.

For having committed the crime, Antigone is taken in. Creon initially refuses to accept the sentry's claims, but Antigone admits that she is guilty and aware of her actions. Creon demands that Antigone be put behind bars. "Creon, what do you want more from me than death?" Antigone asks. "Nothing. That gives me everything," Creon replies (Sophocles). Showcasing no compassion, he causes Antigone to kill herself to avoid starving. Upon learning of Antigone's passing, Haimon commits suicide. The messenger enters and informs Chorgos, "Haimon, Haimon is dead; and the hand that killed him is his own hand... His own, driven mad by the murder his father had done" (Sophocles). Because he was too preoccupied with himself, Haimon's father failed to consider how the passing of Antigone, his son's fiancée, would affect Haimon. All of Creon's loved ones perished as a result of Creon's need to demonstrate to others that he is always