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The Tragic Hero Of Sophocles ' Antigone

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Throughout history people have fought for what they believed in, so much that they grow to be legends. These historical figures are not unlike figures found in mythology with such tales as Sophocles’ Antigone.They do what they believe is beneficial or right despite the adversity they will meet. Sometimes their fight results in their death. This is true not only of Antigone, but also of Abraham Lincoln. While Abraham Lincoln may not be considered a tragic hero he is similar to Antigone because both were fulfilling a divine order. Antigone is the title character of Sophocles’ Antigone. She is the daughter of Oedipus, who coupled with his mother and murdered his father. As a result of her father’s fate she is a victim of circumstance. She is also considered a tragic hero. Aristotle 's definition of a tragic hero is someone who starts out in a high position or in good standing with the world and then ends up in a low position because they went against what is acceptable. In Antigone’s case she went from a place of security and being accepted, but because she decided to attempt to perform the burial rites for her brother, a traitor of Thebes, she was condemned to death. Abraham Lincoln is the sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln came from a simple life and made his way to being considered one of America’s greatest heroes. He is widely known for abolishing slavery and maintaining the Union during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln came from a family with no

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