Kreon, Tragic Hero in Antigone

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In the play, Antigone, by Sophocles, there is a character, King Kreon, who is portrayed as the tragic hero, or protagonist. A tragic hero is the main character with tragic flaw, or a defect that leads to their downfall and the character is usually of high status. King Kreon would be considered the protagonist because he is opposed by an antagonist and is the main character in the play, he has the tragic flaws of stubbornness and too much self-pride, and these flaws are struck with bad luck.

King Kreon is the tragic hero in Antigone because he is the main character and he is opposed by an antagonist, Antigone, who disobeys Kreon’s decree to not bury Polynices’ body. On page 22, Antigone says to Ismene, “He (Kreon) cannot keep me from my own.” She means that Kreon cannot keep her from burying her brother, Polynices, who was forbidden to be buried. Antigone is definitely opposing Kreon and his will, making her the antagonist. Also, on page 40, Antigone says to Kreon, “You have caught me. What more do you want? Isn’t killing me enough?” Even though Kreon says he is going to kill her ...

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