Antigone And Creon: A True Tragic Hero

A True Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his or her own destruction. A tragic hero consists of 5 distinguishing traits including, noble stature, tragic flaw, free choice, excessive punishment, and increased awareness. Further explanation of these traits will be available but the choice of who and where this tragic hero is is argued. A great example of a tragic hero is plastered in the tragic play, Antigone, by Sophocles. A debate remains about the main protagonists in the story, Antigone, and Creon, of who the true tragic hero is. Without a doubt, Creon qualifies for the 5 traits of a tragic hero, furthermore making him the true tragic hero in the play, Antigone.
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off with the first trait of a tragic hero which is, noble stature. “The tragic hero is a man of noble stature. He is not an ordinary man, but a man with outstanding quality and greatness about him. His own destruction is for a greater cause or principle” (bookbuilder). Creon is the king of Thebes, as explained above from a text found he is just that, having great noble stature. His status affects everyone because of the power invested in him to those of Thebes, any choice made by Creon affects his people. “But here comes Creon, new king of our land, son of Menoikeos. Thanks to the gods, who've about our new good fortune. What plan of action does he have in mind? What's made him hold this special meeting, with elders summoned by a general call” (Sophocles 5). In this quote seen, what is said is by the Chorus leader in the play indicating the people of thebes and how they wonder what Creon will do in the situation he is put in. This does not only determine his destiny but theirs as well because of the fact that his noble stature has an effect on them. “For I’ve come here clinging to the hope that I'll not suffer anything that's not part of my destiny” (Sophocles 6). This text from the play came from the guard, regarding the news he received. Being timid of Creon, the guard discusses that he greatly hopes his life will not be interfered with because of the news he brings, knowing it will anger Creon. This is another example showing that the guard is scared of Creon signifying he is an authority to him because of his noble stature.
As mentioned before Creon is angered easily but also has immense pride and stubbornness. This brings the next trait to the plate being, tragic flaw. “Tragic flaw is a literary device that can be defined as a trait in a character leading to his downfall and the character is often the hero of the literary piece” (literarydevices). Found in the web above, is a point seen in Creon having tragic flaw that affect his choices. This is because, Creon is stubborn and has too much pride making him not easy to approach nor willingly open to those of different mentality and suggestions. “...No woman’s going to govern me--no, no--not while I'm still alive” (Sophocles 13). In this situation, Creon is arguing with Antigone over burying her brother, Polyneices. He refuses to allow the burial of her brother and does not consider what she has to say because she is a woman, making him not only stubborn but a sexist. “So the city now will instruct me how I am to govern?...According to our laws, does not the ruler own the city?” (Sophocles 17). Creon shows much pride in himself while talking to his son, Haemon. His pride is a tragic flaw because, of the fact that his son's opinion is not what so ever addressed in Creon's viewpoint and leads him to bad choices for not listening to his son.
This bad choice is the next trait in a tragic hero which is, free choice. Self explanatory, this trait is a choice made by the tragic hero that is from his or her free will. That choice causes gruesome things to be present in their lives and horrible consequences for their choice awaits for them. “I'll take her on a path no people use, and hide her in a cavern in the rocks, while still alive. I'll set out provisions, as much piety requires… Then she can speak her prayers to Hades” (Sophocles 20). In this case, Creon’s free choice is to lead Antigone to a place by herself giving her ‘freedom’ to pray to the gods to save her out of her own piety from dying. Later that day Antigone was put to her death in the place by herself, Creon heard a prophecy given by a prophet named, Teiresias that was from the gods revealing that a series of unfortunate events will happen to him for not being on time to free Antigone from her misery. "Alas--it's difficult. But I'll give up. I'll not do what I'd set my heart upon. It's not right to fight against necessity" (Sophocles 26). This text is from Creon discussing with the chorus leader about the leader's point of view about Creon obeying the prophecy or not. Creon eventually obeys the prophecy but, unfortunately, is too late to save Antigone from her death. The prophecy is fulfilled and Creon exceeds to excessive punishment from the gods.
As briefly mentioned, excessive punishment is indeed the next trait that qualifies Creon as a tragic hero.

“Part of what makes the action "tragic" is to witness the injustice of what has occurred to the tragic hero” (Pepperdine). As well as the previous trait it is self-explanatory, excessive punishment is an exaggeration of punishment given to the tragic hero for making a poor choice as seen previously. “They're dead and those alive bear the responsibility for those who've died” (Sophocles 27). Said by the messenger, he discussed with the chorus leader giving him the unfortunate news about the death of Antigone leading to the death of Haemon, both being suicides. Also mentioning that Creon is responsible for their lives lost. “She killed herself, with her own hands she stabbed her belly, once she heard her son’s unhappy fate” (Sophocles 30). Already losing his son, Creon’s wife was now lost as well. Although Creon did cause the death of Antigone he did not deserve to lose his whole family, but the wrath of the gods was pursued with extreme punishment. This excessive punishment took an emotional toll on Creon realizing what he has

done.
This next trait is the only trait Antigone did not have in the play, the reason being that she is already dead.

The final trait is increased awareness that Creon encounters in the play after realizing what has occurred. “An understanding of what went wrong or of what was really going on before he comes to his end” (Pepperdine). Which is exactly what Creon encounters in the next scene. “Alas for me… the guilt for all of this is mine it can never be removed from me or passed to any other mortal man. I alone.. I murdered you… I speak the truth. Servants hurry and lead me off, get me away from here, for now what I am in life is nothing” (Sophocles 30). Creon is speaking to the messenger and the chorus leader about the tragic things that happened to direct his speech to his now dead family. He feels extremely guilty and disgusted by himself telling the servants to take him away because he is not worthy of having a life either because he is nothing. “I killed you, my son, without intending to, and you, as well, my wife. How useless I am now” (Sophocles 31). This is the last thing Creon says putting an end to the story again stating how worthless he is. Showing signs of grief from the death of his loved ones, he states he killed them taking full blame and feeling quite guilty. As unfortunate as this story is, this is what makes Creon, the very misled king to be the Tragic hero of the

play.
These five traits provided and thoroughly explained, are what makes a true tragic hero in a story, in this play being Creon. This story is a lesson to show that true success has to follow with being wise and always to consider what others have to say. Pride or stubbornness gets no positive outcome, even if this play is over exaggerated, it comes to proves good lessons that could be interpreted for good in every day. Consequences are given when poor choices made seen from day to day and also in this play. Why go through tragic things when just being a hero, successful, or just a good example in life only comes with making wise choices. Even though Creon wasn’t so successful and did not make smart choices, let him be an example of what not to be. Even if a poor choice has occurred the least to do is to accept what has been done. Be a hero within and always make the best possible choice there is.