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Aristotle’s schema of the elements of tragedy
Aristotle’s schema of the elements of tragedy
Examine and evaluate aristotle's theory of tragedy
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Aristotle once said, “A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” A tragic hero is defined as a literary character who makes a judgement error that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. In the play Antigone, King Creon was perceived as a powerful, respectable, and confident king; inadvertently his confidence and arrogance had led him to the termination of his reign. Creon was confronted with a difficult situation in which he must chose to abide the law or support his niece, Antigone. While being entangled with his pride, he had not given Antigone a chance to persuade him. He had done what he deemed appropriate as king by abolishing his own niece, unaware of the consequences that the future held for him. The interactions between Antigone and Creon in this play had exploited Creon’s flaws and had influenced his decisions which eventually …show more content…
Although it was against the law, her burying Polyneices proved just how loyal she was towards her brother. Her loyalty was what had justified her reasoning behind her actions. Antigone stated, “But my nature is to love. I cannot hate” (598). This depicts Antigone’s true nature. It shows that she is good at heart and what she had done was purely in her morals and not solely for defiance. When Antigone asked her sister Ismene to accompany her in her plan, Ismene refused with fear of defying the law. When Antigone was caught, Creon was quick to assume that Ismene was an ally to Antigone because of their relation to each other. Ismene was brought in during Antigone and Creon’s interaction and Ismene admitted and supported Antigone; she had no true part in Antigone’s actions. Antigone, being loyal and trustworthy, stated, “No, no - justice will not allow you to say that. You didn’t want to. I didn’t work with you” (616-617). Not only was her loyalty towards her brother, but towards everyone she cared
Antigone’s strength allows her to defend her brother’s honor against Creon, who wants to make a statement about traitors. However, both Antigone and King Creon commit faults while trying to protect the things they love. Antigone should not have died for her beliefs as it puts her loved ones and community in danger, and Creon should not have forbidden the burial of Polyneices as it angers the Gods and causes him great suffering in the end.
Over time, history has given society many to whom we call true heroes. There are many reasons these heroes have been looked up to such as: bravery, dedication, confidence, and inspiration. However, a tragic hero requires a few different qualities. Aristotle describes a tragic hero as a “member of royalty,” someone who “must fall from tremendous good fortune,” and someone who creates pity for him or herself (“Connections: A Theory” 2000). In Greek drama, Sophocles’ Antigone and Euripides’ Medea both contain several possible tragic heroes including Medea, Jason, and Creon. More specifically, in Antigone Creon exemplifies the qualities of a tragic hero best due to his prominent power as king of Thebes, the way he holds strong to his stubborn pride, and the sympathy felt for him in his tragic downfall.
In Sophocles play Antigone, Antigone is contrasted with creon in the play because everyone knows that Creon and Antigone had their differences about the burial of her brother, “Creon: yes, he will, if you give equal honors to a wicked man. Antigone: But the one who died was not some slave — it was his own brother. Creon: who is destroying this country — the other one went to his death defending it. (Lines 587-591) In that quote it’s saying that Creon doesn’t support the burial of her brother because in his mind he was destroying the country, and he didn’t want him going to the afterlife, but that’s what Antigone wanted. Ismene didn’t want Antigone to go behind Creon’s back and bury him anyway.
The play Antigone, by playwright Sophocles, contains a arrogant character named Creon who plays the royal king of Thebes and is a ultimate leader. The plot leads to Creon being challenged throughout the play meaning Creon must rebuttal with force because others are questioning his authority. Characters also throughout the play such as, Antigone, Haemon and Ismene do not comply nor help the situation as a whole leading to several unwanted deaths. Therefore, he Plays a role in which he becomes a pure tragic hero, meaning a hero who encounters A downfall that leads to his demise. Whether it is between Antigone refusing to follow the laws in the land of Thebes or Ismene siding with Antigone or as well as, Haemon
The opening occasions of the play rapidly secure the focal clash. Creon has proclaimed that the trickster Polynices should not be given legitimate entombment, and Antigone is the singular case out of many others who will talk against this announcement and demand the hallowedness of crew. While Antigone sees no legitimacy in a law that slights the obligation relatives owe each other, Creon's perspective is precisely inverse. He has no utilization for any individual who places private ties over the benefit of all, as he declares solidly to the Chorus and the gathering of people as he rejoices in his triumph over Polynices. Creon's first discourse, which is ruled by words, for example, "standard," "law," "arrangement," and "announcement,"
A tragic hero is defined by Aristotle as a person of noble stature, with a tragic flaw, who is doomed from their downfall. In the play Antigone by Sophocles, the character Creon possesses these traits. Although many people may see Creon as the antagonist of the story, by the definition Creon is a tragic hero. Creon’s flaw of excessive pride leads him to a catastrophic downfall, similar to how Aristotle describes.
A tragic hero can be defined as someone with a substantial personality flaw that causes them to endure great suffering with a reversal of character near the end. Antigone possesses certain traits that could potentially render her the tragic hero, but Creon truly embodies all characteristics. Creon is the tragic hero in “Antigone” due to several qualities he displays throughout the play; he can’t accept a diminished view of himself, he endures great suffering and he is enlightened in the end. In the beginning of the play Creon presents a strong confident image, although it becomes apparent self-doubt is present due to his inability to accept a diminished view of himself. Whilst giving the orders to murder anyone who tries to bury Antigone’s brother, Creon refuses the advice of his trusted council because they suggest he may be in the wrong.
Throughout history rulers have used force in the pursuit of the acquiring more power and wealth, regardless of the consequences. The use of force may lead to the fulfillment of ones current interests or goals, but continued abuse of this power in pursuit of ones own interests has historically lead to the downfall of those in power. In the text The Prince Machiavelli says, “It is much safer to be feared than loved, if you cannot have both”. This quote suggests that when given the choice it is better for a ruler to use his power, through force if necessary, and be feared than to do what is right for the people and lose everything. In Sophocles’ Antigone, Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War, and Sophocles’ Republic the analogy of the double-edged
Once the guards catch Antigone, they bring her before Creon. He sentences her to death, as his original decree had indicated. When he questions Ismene on her involvement, she tells Creon that she “did it … [and] shares the guilt, and the consequences too” (86), meaning that she would face execution as well. This infuriates Antigone, who asks Ismene “who did the work” (87)? She then goes on to say that she cannot share Antigone’s death, and tells Ismene to “[not] lay claim on something [she] has not touched” (87), and that “[her] death will be enough” (87). Antigone feeling so strongly against her sister dying alongside her, shows her true intentions. She is unwilling to let Ismene share any of the glory that Antigone feels she has just achieved. This shows that the glory and attention is more important to her than her brother getting a proper burial, or her sister’s desires. It is not clear if Ismene was trying to take partial credit for the burial, or if she just wanted to die with her sister, rather than stay lonely in a world with nobody left to support her. If it was the latter, then Antigone’s reaction is not only in poor taste, but also proves how obsessed she is with the theme of pride, as she believes that Ismene hasn’t done enough to earn
According to Aristotle, tragedy requires an admirable hero with power and in a high state, but more importantly, he or she possesses a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall. This tragic flaw most closely relates to a character’s hubris, excessive pride in themselves or their judgment. But sometimes a character cannot be categorized as tragic, and one can argue whether or not the tragic character violates the requirements. In Sophocles’ Antigone Creon and Antigone serve as tragic characters in the play; however, Creon’s character exemplifies Aristotle’s theory of tragedy.
Throughout literary history, tragic heroes have been defined as a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat. However, philosophers such as Aristotle tried to find connections between tragic heroes in Greek plays. This in-depth analysis of tragic heroes lead Aristotle to create six criteria for a true tragic hero: He or she has to be a Noble figure of royalty and noble in character, has to be imperfect by design, has a flaw or error that is a choice, is punished excessively for this choice flaw, has to undergo a downfall that leads to a realization, and the story of this tragic hero has to make the audience reach a moment of catharsis or purging of emotions. A prime example of a tragic hero that fits all of these criteria is Creon from the play Antigone, written by Sophocles in 441 BC. The story of Antigone is a tragedy that describes a stubborn and proud king named Creon who refuses to allow a burial for the brother of Antigone. Creon’s excessive pride leads to a series of unfortunate events resulting in the death of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife Eurydice. Throughout the course of the play, Creon undergoes each standard that is required by Aristotle’s terms to be a tragic hero.
At the beginning of the play, Antigone is upset about a decree Creon, the king, made (190). The decree states that her brother, Polyneices, was not allowed to be buried, because Creon believes that Polyneices was a “traitor who made war on his country” (211). Antigone has a very strong love for her brother and the gods, therefore she believes Polyneices deserves a proper burial according to the laws of the gods (192). Antigone says to Ismene that she [Antigone] will go against Creon’s decree-which states that if anyone buries Polyneices they will be killed (190). Antigone is extremely angry with Creon for creating the decree, to the point where she decides to make a big deal about the burial, instead of lying low and doing it in secret (192). Antigone even tells Ismene to “Tell everyone!” that she [Antigone] buried Polyneices when everyone finds out, and not keep it a secret-although Ismene doesn’t listen (193). Antigone’s decision not to do the bur...
In the play Antigone, the debate over who is the real tragic hero is and the controversy of Greek ideals in the Antigone continues on to this day. Who is the tragic hero in Antigone? Is it Antigone herself or is it Creon the ruler of Thebes? The belief that Antigone is, is a strong one. Still there are people who think Creon is the tragic hero. Antigone is widely thought as the tragic her. The play is named after her. In addition, she is the antagonist in it. Many people usually associate the antagonist, the good guy as a tragic hero. Look at much television shows, especially cartoons, the good person usually wins. Then there are those who might think Creon was the tragic hero because the gods were against him, and that he truly loved his country. There are five criteria or standards you must meet first in order to be a tragic hero. First, you must be a person of high character or status. The character must not be too overwhelmingly evil or good. Then they must be brought from happiness to misery. Then brought from happiness to misery. Second, the hero enacts a harmartia, "wrong act." This either may be a flaw in judgment or an error. Third, the hero experiences a perpateia, reversal of fortune. This is the tragic downfall or plot twist in the story. Fourth, the hero recognizes his or her responsibility. Fifth, the story ends with a catastrophe. The catastrophe either may be an emotional event, this even may be a death.
“...never let some woman triumph over us. Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man —never be rated inferior to a woman, never.” This quote spoken by Creon, in Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Antigone, adequately represents the opinion on women during the time in which Antigone would have been alive. Women were viewed as lower than men and were expected to be docile and passive. They were expected to never object to a man’s words, no matter if those words were to be unfair or unjust. Despite this, Antigone refuses to follow one of the most fundamental teachings of her culture by burying her brother even though the king, Creon, explicitly forbids the action, since her brother is a traitor. She rebelliously does what she feels is right, which cannot be said for her sister, Ismene. Ismene represents what a woman of her time was viewed as: weak and submissive to men’s
Antigone was not about to simply obey Creon’s absurd decree. She felt that her personal responsibility was to the gods and her family rather than the king. She then asked Ismene, her sister, to assist her with the burial, but was denied any help. Ismene justified her decision by telling Antigone that they were already punished and that there was no need to make matters worse for the two of them by defying Creon’s law.