Antigone-Pride Essay

Pride is a quality that all people possess in one way or another. Some people take pride in their appearance, worldly possessions, or position in society. The story of Antigone written by Sophocles has two characters who have a tragic flaw of pride. I will show how Creon’s pride of power leads to his destruction, and how Antigone’s pride makes her an honorable character who should be treated as a hero.

As the tragedy concludes, the chorus issues its final words: "Pray for no more at all. For what is destined for us, men mortal, there is no escape," demonstrating how justice remains impartial to the prejudice of men; those who make imprudent judgments will ultimately suffer from the consequences of their actions. In Sophocles' Antigone, these prejudices notably surface in the form of paternalism as demonstrated through Creon's government, highlighting the importance of gender roles throughout the play. Therefore, analyzing the motif of gender roles and its effect on the definition of justice through the perspectives of Ismene, Antigone, and Creon enables the audience to understand how Sophocles' macroscopic analogy to humanity's

Full of drama and tragedy, Antigone can be used to relate to current conflicts. One such conflict is that between Haemon and his father Creon. Haemon looks up to Creon with honor and pride, but as conflict arises, that relation is disassociated and new feelings grow. The first conversation between them is what initiates the downfall of their bond. While it seems that Creon is the most important person in Haemon’s life, Antigone is in fact the one that has won Haemon over.

John Lennon said, “Part of me suspects that I’m a loser, and the other part of me thinks I’m God Almighty.” Hubris, or excessive pride, was one of the biggest themes in Ancient Greek culture. It has what killed heroes, and destroyed villains in mythology and even real life. In the play Antigone, written by Sophocles, I share the battle that Creon has regarding a conflict of personal character, which leads to the deaths of others caused by his tremendously large ego.

A tragic hero is a character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw, which combined with fate, results into a tragedy. The tragic hero must fall from good luck and well being to misery and misfortune. The tragic hero causes a sense of pity through the tragic downfall that weakens the character. In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone follows her own beliefs by giving her brother a proper burial, even if she has to break the law of King Creon. Because of her innocent actions, Antigone is punished unjustly and unfairly. Through her risky and unselfish actions, ability to follow her own beliefs, and perseverance Antigone is the tragic hero of this play.

Brad Moore, a famous athlete once said, “Pride would be a lot easier to swallow if it didn’t taste so bad.” In Sophocles’ well known Greek tragedy, Antigone, the main character undergoes immense character development. Antigone transforms from being stubborn and underestimated to courageous and open-minded. In reality, it is Antigone’s insular persistence that leads to her ultimate decline in the play as well as others around her. After the death of her two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, Creon becomes the new ruler of Thebes. With this, he grants Eteocles an honorable funeral service for his brave fighting. Claiming that Polynices was a traitor, he shows complete refusal to grant Polynices a respectable and worthy service. Clearly

Excessive pride is one of Aristotle’s main reasons to be a tragic hero. Antigone showed persistence in burying her brother, for example the quote from the text “Is he not my brother, and yours, whether you like it or not? I shall never desert him, never”(39-40).Illustrates Antigone went through with honoring her brother whether Ismene wanted to help or not, Antigone would never leave her brother in such disrespect. To expand things, Antigone owned up to her deed without denial. The author wrote “I admit it. I do not deny

Another example of pride would be with John Proctor. John Proctor was your everyday man. He was a farmer, he claimed to be Godly though he was said to never attend church. Not attending church then was very frowned upon and even considered a horrible sin. His wife, Elizabeth Proctor, was accused of witchcraft by Abigail Williams. Abigail did this to get revenge because Elizabeth fired her. Elizabeth did this because Abigail had an affair with John. He would not confess to being associated with the Devil because it was not true and he did not want shame brought to his name. Though his wife talked him into confessing, he would not sign his name to the paper. Not only did he not sign his name; he also ripped up the papers. This shows a great deal of pride as well, being that he would not confess because of the way society would look at him thinking that he was associated with the Devil.

Pride is the cause of the main conflict in Sophocles’ play, Antigone. Everyone should have pride, but Creon had too much of it and that blinded him. His pride in his power and abuse of authority was his tragic flaw that ultimately led to his downfall. On the other hand, Antigone takes pride in her beliefs and has the courage to speak out for what she thinks is right. For this, Antigone is seen as an honorable character and the hero of the play. It is shown that there are often two sides to things; pride can be both a source of strength and self-destruction.

Denzel Washington, in a film role, once said, “The loudest one in the room is often the weakest one in the room” (CITATION). Pride can often force individuals into someone they are not. It can create a persona unattainable due to the multitude of reasons, as laid out in the Bhagavad-Gita and Antigone. The Bhagavad-Gita presented the principles that causes one’s prideful nature to be destructive and disparaging. While, Antigone gave the reader an example of an individual’s prideful nature in relation to the arrogance formulated in one’s heart. The arrogance formulated in one’s heart can lead to his or her inevitable downfall. Evil’s true form is in the pride that tarnishes a man’s soul, based on Antigone and Bhagavad-Gita.

Any great accomplishment can make someone feel proud about their work. It makes one feel good; it raises a person's spirits. "No question, pride has its good points." (The Toronto Star, Nov 1999) Then again, there are also the bad points of pride one must consider, before being proud. Pride can deceive a person into being ambitious, and make them strive for something that is not rightfully theirs. Both Macbeth and Willy encountered this problem. Pride can also cause a bad relationship with the people one loves most. For Macbeth and Willy, their relationships with their families were burdened as a consequence of this pride. Pride can lead to much worse things; it can put a person in a

Both Creson and Antigone perish- but Creon is destroyed by his defiant pride; Antigone wins, but victory costs her life” (p. 97). Pride is the reason for the main in Sophocles' play, Antigone. Everybody ought to have pride, yet Creon had a lot of it and that blinded him. His pride in his energy and misuse of power was his unfortunate blemish that at last prompted his defeat. Then again, Antigone takes pride in her convictions and has the boldness to stand up for what she supposes is correct. For this, Antigone is seen as a noteworthy character and the legend of the play. It is demonstrated that there are regularly two sides to things; pride can be both a wellspring of quality and

Pride is the driving force of many of the character’s motives; it is Creon’s hubris and the catalyst for the events in Antigone. But for all the talk of Creon’s pride, Antigone’s own arrogance is overlooked, as it is clouded by her fight for

Creon cannot afford to think of the well being of his son or even his niece Antigone, he must be selfless because that is what is honorable. Here it is shown that Creon is not absolutely malicious, he is thinking of his kingdom when he damns Antigone to certain death. He is also not entirely without fault; Creon is revealed to be a very arrogant man throughout the play. He does not admit his own mistake until the very end. Even then it is only after Tiresias tells him of the occurrences in the sanctuary that he sees his folly and tries to repent.

Pride is one of the enemy’s devices used to cause believers to self-destruct. There are many different forms of pride in operation daily, most of those ways people may not even realize. My prayer is that through this chapter, those ways are revealed and encourage you to self-examine and prepares you to go on a journey of removing all pride from your heart and spirit.