Who Is Creon A Tragic Hero

The play Antigone by Sophocles is a play like no other. There are three major themes or ideas which have a very important role in the play. The first major theme is fate, on how the play comes about and the turn of events that come about throughout it. Another main theme or idea is the pride the characters have and their unwillingness they have to change their minds once they are set on something. The last major theme is loyalty and the practical problem of conduct involving which is a higher law between the divine laws and those of the humans. It is an issue of which law is the "right" law, and if Creon and Antigone's acts are justifiable or not. The issues that Antigone and Creon have between them

This conflicting argument leads to Creon being a tragic character in the play. An example would be in Act 2, “Then go down to the dead. If you must love, love them. No women’s going to govern me- no, no- not while I’m still alive,” (Creon- Line 600). Accordingly, the quote contrasts Antigone's words because Antigone wants to abide by the rule of the gods, while Creon wants to follow his own political law. Creon doesn’t consider Antigone’s explication and would rather have her killed for her notion of the burial of Polynices. The interaction error keeps Creon from perceiving that he is unjust. Another example why Creon is a tragic hero is when he verbalizes, “ In all of Thebes, you’re the only one who looks at things that way...These views of yours - so different from the rest- don’t they bring you any sense of shame?” (Line 575-580). Furthermore, the quote shows how Creon disacords with Antigone and concludes the people of Thebes believe in his rule rather than Antigone's views on the burial of her brother. Therefore, Creon is a tragic hero because his rule, results in Antigone

In Antigone, the messenger says, “Haimon”. Haimon is dead; and the land that killed him is his own hand” (Sophocles 918-919). This shows that Creon's actions made him suffer more deeply than Anitgone.

This is shown in the play when Creon does not care what happens to anyone. Creon's ruthlessness is shown when he says “How I despise a person caught committing evil acts who then desires to glorify the crime”(Sophocles 565). This quote shows that Creon does not care about someone who does not obey him, and that they can never be the same again after they commit a crime.

The qualifications of a tragic hero vary between Aristotle and Shakespeare. Aristotle thinks of a tragic hero as someone who is a noble character by choice and makes his/her own destiny, while Shakespeare sees a tragic hero as someone who is born of nobility and born to be important. Although both tragic hero's end in a tragic death that effects many people, not all tragic hero's fit perfectly into both categories. In Sophocles’ Antigone, Creon is considered a tragic hero. Creon follows Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero by being a noble character by choice, having important potential, and falls due to "miscalculations" with circumstances that are beyond control.

Creon realizes the prophet has never been wrong before, and as he grapples with what to do the chorus urges him to go, even though they know what lies ahead for his family and his citizens. Creon’s realization that his pride got in the way of the law of the gods, “The laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them To the last day of his life!” (V.109-111). This acceptance that his law was wrong, allows him to realize his pride has hurt many, including the fate of some, “I cant fight against what is destined I must personally undo what I have done. I should not have tried being unorthodox I’ll stick by the established laws in the future” (V.95-99).

Aristotle once said, regarding his principles that a certain character is a tragic hero, "A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall." This quotation is an accurate statement regarding the actions between Creon in the beginning of the play, and at the end once he has lost his family. A tragic hero is defined as a character of noble stature, the hero is imperfect allowing the audience to relate to him, as well as the hero’s downfall is caused by his own fate, leading to the punishment exceeding the crime and the character’s realization leading to the fall. The audience experiences a catharsis at the end of the play, which allows the audience feel that society is “right” again. All six of

A tragedy, as defined by Ms. Tozar, is “the story of a falling from a high place to a lower place by a character.” In other words, a tragedy is a story of an individual who starts in a high position and descends throughout the story to end in a position that is lower than original position. The individual who makes the descent is known as the tragic hero. The tragic hero, as defined by Ms. Tozar, is “the character who falls from grace as a result of fate and/or a weakness. In the drama, Antigone by Sophocles, one could argue that there are many tragic heroes. However, the one who stands above them all is that of the character of Creon. Creon is understood by most as the tragic hero in Antigone as evident in his

Tragic heroes have identifiable flaws which cause their destruction. In this situation Creon’s major flaw was that he was self-centered, and never listened he thought he was always right. Haemon points out that Creon needs to stop being narrow-minded and stubborn, "...Not far off when you shall pay back corpse for corpse..." (Scene 5, 72-73). Teiresias the fortune teller warns Creon that his inflexible ways

In the Greek tragedy Antigone, the characters Antigone and Creon can both be thought of as the tragic hero of the play. Though Antigone does show some of these characteristics of a tragic hero, Creon demonstrates the attributes more clearly and concisely. Creon is the King of Thebes, as well as the uncle of Antigone. Creon took the throne after a tragic quarrel between his two nephews, Eteocles and Polyneices. Despite his harsh governing and his crude ideals, he is not good or bad. Creon is the tragic hero of the play Antigone, because of his superiority in his society, his nobility, and his tragic flaw, self-pride.

Every Greek tragedy must have a tragic hero. In Sophocle’s play, Antigone, the most tragic hero is Creon. He is an essentially good man of high position who takes pride in his role as king. He possesses the tragic flaws of excessive pride and an oversized ego. This causes the tragic reversal that leads to his emotional ruin and eventual remorse and repentance.

Creon is first portrayed as a leader with rational laws and consequences for breaking them. But by the end of the play, Creon is a completely different character; he has let his excessive pride and hubris take over him. He doesn’t realize his change in character until it is brought to him through the prophecy of Teiresias, when it is already too late. Creon can be identified as a tragic hero because he shows great signs of stubbornness and pride. Considering he is the King of Thebes, he follows his rules and laws without listening to his citizen’s concerns, nor does he care about the gods wishes. His role as a hubris influences many of his choices, he believes in only his own thoughts and wishes. Creon abuses his power just because he can, without thinking of the consequences.

     Finally, Creon is a dynamic character. He undergoes changes in emotion throughout the work. He realizes his mistakes when Tiresias forecasts the future. Thus, Creon attempts to correct himself by releasing Antigone. But he is too late. He is forced to live, knowing that three people are dead as a result of his actions. This punishment is worse than death. Although Creon’s self-righteousness and inflexibility did not change until the end of the play, his motivations traveled from patriotic ones to personal ones. This created a major portion of the

The second criterion for being a tragic hero is that one is neither purely evil nor pre-eminently great. Although Creon possesses many good kingly qualities, as far a honor and nobility, his imperfection lies in his excessive pride and hubris, as well as his self indulgence as King of Thebes. Creon shows his power and pride

Creon's character meets all of Aristotle's views of a tragic hero. Some people argue that Antigone is faced with tough decisions and a downfall, just as Creon is, but she does not meet all of the characteristics. While Creon realizes his wrong-doing and negative traits, and strives to change, Antigone does not. She does not change, but stays ignorant, even in her death. The only way to grow and improve oneself is to change. Creon changes, but cannot benefit from them because his death so quickly follows his transformation. The audience realizes how short life is, and Creon's downfall causes them to re-examine their values and beliefs. It also helps the audience learn that it is never too late to admit you are wrong, or