What Makes Creon A Tragic Hero

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One trait that makes Creon the tragic hero of Antigone is how he is a significant character while also being a very relatable character. One can declare Creon as a significant character because he is the character that really sets the plot into motion by condemning Antigone to a tomb when he says, “You know your orders: take her to the vault And leave her alone there. And if she lives or dies, That’s her affair, not ours: our hands are clean” (Sophocles 711-713). Another instance of how Creon drives the plot, exampling his significance, is when he refuses to release Antigone when Haimon, his son, begs him to. Creon says to his son of Antigone’s betrayal to him, “Do you want me to show myself weak before the people? Or to break my sworn word? …show more content…

The first epiphany Creon has that make him realize his mistake after speaking to Choragos after Teiresias leaves. “It troubles me. Oh it is hard to give in! but it is worse To risk everything for my stubborn pride” (Sophocles 336). Creon becomes fully aware that he needs to accept responsibility for his actions and that his pride has been leading him wrong. Creon’s realization of his flaw helps him realize the error of his ways and he sets out to fix the mistakes he had made. After speaking to Choragos once again, Creon goes out to set Antigone free from her vault. “I will go. ––Bring axes, servants: Come with me to the tomb. I buried her, I will set her free” (Sophocles 874-877). Once he has reached Antigone’s tomb, he finds that she has hanged herself. Creon’s son Haimon kills himself and upon hearing the news, Creon’s wife kills herself. Due to Creon’s mistakes, his loved ones are gone. A messenger then comes and tells him of Eurydice, Creon’s wife, “Her curse is upon you for the deaths of both" (Sophocles 340). To this, Creon replies, “It is right that it should be. I alone am guilty. I know it, and I say it” (Sophocles 340). This shows Creon’s maturity to accept his actions, as he alsoaccepts his fate. He knows he has done wrong and his pride turns to shame. Unlike most tragic heroes, Creon does not die in Antigone. His fate is much worse than death. He gets to wait for death and he longs for it, knowing that it was only he who was responsible for his family member’s deaths. He tells Choragos, “Lead me away. I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and my wife. I look for comfort: my comfort lies here dead” (Sophocles 340). Knowing the terrible pain he’s caused not only to himself, but to those surronding him, he knows he is the one to

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