Both Sophocles and Jean Anouilh use classical tragic figures in their respective interpretations of Antigone, who suffer from misery caused by their own actions. The characters’ tragic flaw leads to their downfall, thus causing their misfortune. Both Antigone and King Creon can be portrayed as the tragic heroes in the two plays. Evidently, Antigone’s tragic flaw of self-righteousness, and Creon’s stubborn pride cause many deaths throughout the play. Despite all of these similarities between Sophocles and Anouilh’s Antigone, the former adheres to the principles of Aristotle’s definition of tragedy much more stringently than Anouilh’s, who questions the principles of a Greek tragedy. In Sophocles’ and Anouilh’ interpretations of Antigone, the …show more content…
characters hubris is a cause of their actions, which eventually leads to their downfall and causes their misfortune. Despite the fact of Antigone’s downfall, her will to fight for justice shines in her character, marking the story as a true tragedy. In order for a play or story to be considered a tragedy, it must include the elements and principals of Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy. In the play Antigone, elements of tragedy including Hubris, Nemesis, Hamartia and Deus Ex Machina are established. Sophocles uses these elements to achieve catharsis, which is the intention of a tragedy. Nemesis is present when Creon loses his loved ones as a cause of his fatal flaw. Nemesis is described as karma for the characters act of hubris, which in this case is Creon’s pride to inactivate the law he created.
Due to his fatal flaw, Creon must suffer the consequences of his actions by losing his son, Haemon and his wife, Eurydice. After Creon sees Haemon dead, he says: “O the curse of my stubborn will! Son, newly cut off in the newness of youth, dead for my fault, not yours.” (Sophocles, 160) Antigone foresees anagnorisis when she realizes that she is going to die because she stood by her beliefs and obeyed the gods. Her moment of truth causes a catharsis in the audience, as a result of Antigone obeying the divine law and doing what she is supposed to do. In her last moments before death, Antigone says: “It was by this service to your dear body, Polynices, I earned the punishment which now I suffer, though all good people know it was for your honour.” (Sophocles, 150) Elements Anouilh used differ from Sophocles elements in terms of the depth that they were used in. Like Antigone in Sophocles’ adaptation, Creon also foresees anagnorisis when he comes to a realization that by trying to prevent problems in Thebes, he is actually the one that is causing them. It is tragic because Creon believes that by going against the gods, and following the law, he will get what he …show more content…
wants. However, he cannot escape his fate. When talking to the chorus, Creon says: “The task is there to be done. They say its dirty work, but if I didn’t do it who would?” (Anouilh, 70) Although Antigone stayed by her decision to bury her brother and accept the consequences, Peripeteia is demonstrated moments before her death, where her character becomes vulnerable. Antigone doubted herself and her decision once she was faced with her punishment of death while writing an apology letter to Haemon. She says: “Do you think it hurts to die?” (Anouilh, 65) Deus Ex Machina is not present in Anouilh’s adaptation of Antigone, which makes his version more of a tragedy than Sophocles. Furthermore, a postmodern perspective can be used to analyze Antigone, because of the many issues caused by Antigone’s Actions. A postmodernist can say that political and ethical controversies were present due to the fact that Antigone, a tragic figure who is a woman, questions the patriarchal society in which she lives in. A tragic hero is defined as an individual whose tragic flaw causes his/her downfall.
Both Creon and Antigone’s characters can be identified as the tragic hero in the two different plays, depending on one’s interpretation of both the definition of a tragic hero and the perspective of the reader. Through the time frame of 1940-1994, the government of the French State was appointed to Marshall Philippe Pétain during World War II. In the year of 1942, France became occupied by the Nazi regime. The regime was diminished to a Puppet government, meaning it was dependant on an outside source. Marshal Pétain forced his men to sign the Second Armistice with Germany in order to establish an authoritarian regime and gain all power. (A&E Television Networks, 2014) In Sophocles’ version of Antigone, Creon can be identified as the tragic hero due to his tragic flaw of arrogance and stubborn pride. When the prophet, Tiresias, goes to Creon to inform him that the gods were outraged, he ignores him. Although Tiresias warns him of the relentless consequences his actions could cause, he accuses him of telling him wrong predictions in exchange for money. He states: "How you make me your commodity, to trade and traffic in for your advancement. Trade as you will; but all the silver of Sardis and all the gold of India will not buy a tomb for yonder traitor". (Sophocles, 153-154) Creon chose to ignore the reality of his actions and let his arrogance and pride in the way of doing the right thing.
Ultimately, Creon tried to ameliorate his mistakes by burying Antigone’s brother and saving her, but unfortunately it was too late. Both Tiresias and Haemon tried to warn Creon, however he valued his pride more than the reality of his consequences.
Since the play’s inception, there has always existed a contention concerning the true hero of Sophocles’ Antigone. It is a widely held belief that Antigone must be the main character simply because she and the drama share name. This is, of course, a very logical assumption. Certainly Sophocles must have at least meant her to be viewed as the protagonist, else he would not have given her the play’s title. Analytically speaking, however, Creon does seem to more categorically fit the appellation of “Tragic Hero.” There is no doubt as to the nature of the work, that being tragedy. Along with this genre comes certain established prerequisites, and Creon is the only character that satisfactorily fits them all.
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.
Sophocles play titled Antigone, embellishes the opposing conflicts between Antigone who stands for the values of family, and Creon who stands for the values of state. Sophocles explores the depths of Antigone’s morality and the duty based on consequence throughout the play, as well as the practical consequences of Creon who is passionate and close-minded. Although Antigone’s moral decisions appear to be more logical and favorable than Creon’s, a personal argument would be that both characters’ decisions in society can be equally justified.
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
Creon would qualify as the tragic hero if the only condition were not being excessively moral or immoral. Antigone's “immoral” side is shown by her (thought-to-be) incestuous behavior with her brother, Polyneicês. In contrast, Antigone’s positive side is shown by the way the she persistent on respecting her brother’s right to be buried in the religious tradition of the time in Greece, so that his soul can live on in the afterlife. “Listen, Ismenê: Creon buried our brother Eteoclês with military honors, gave him a soldier’s funeral, and it was right that he should; but Polyneicês, they fought as bravely and died as miserably, - they say that Creon has sworn no one shall bury him, no one mourn for him, but this body must lie in the fields, a sweet treasure for carrion birds to find as they search for food. That is what they say, and our good Creon is coming here to announce it publicly; and the penalty- stoning to death I the public squarel. There it is, and now you can prove what you are: a true sister, or a traitor to your family.” (Sophocles; Antigone, 3)
A Greek drama is a serious of actions within a literary presentation in which the chief character has a disastrous fate. Many Greek dramas fall under theatrical category of a tragedy due to the tragic events and unhappy ending that cause the downfall of the main character. During the famous play “Antigone” the Greek author Sophocles incorporated several features of a tragedy. These features include a morally significant dilemma and the presence of a tragic hero. Grand debate over which character can hold the title of the tragic hero has discussed in the literally world for ages. 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.
Antigone, as a character, is extremely strong-willed and loyal to her faith. Creon is similarly loyal, but rather to his homeland, the city of Thebes, instead of the gods. Both characters are dedicated to a fault, a certain stubbornness that effectively blinds them from the repercussions of their actions. Preceding the story, Antigone has been left to deal with the burden of her parents’ and both her brothers’ deaths. Merely a young child, intense grief is to be expected; however, Antigone’s emotional state is portrayed as frivolous when it leads her to directly disobey Creon’s orders. She buries her brother Polynices because of her obedience to family and to the gods, claiming to follow “the gods’ unfailing, unwritten laws” (Sophocles 456-457). CONTINUE
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.
Creon in the play Antigone by Sophocles plays a major role within the play. Antigone also plays an important role, as these two character’s conflicting views led to utter disaster, which highlights Creon as a tragic figure. Within the play Creon attempted to establish decisions for the common good; however, his decisions resulted in tragedy. Creon highlighted as the tragic figure, initially created decisions he thought were for the welfare and well-being of Thebes. However, Antigone, who rebelled against Creon’s decisions, caused Creon’s rage to cloud his rational way of thinking.
Before Aristotle’s tragic hero model, tragic figures were open to interpretation. The play Antigone by Sophokles, written in 441 BC, existed during this period of ambiguity of what a tragic figure exactly meant. Antigone involves two principal characters that could potentially be the tragic figure, Kreon and Antigone. Kreon is the arrogant king who declares it illegal to give Polyneices, a soldier who had betrayed Thebes during war, a proper burial. Antigone is the sister of Polyneices who is determined to give him the proper burial that she, as his family, is obliged to carry out. Although misfortune falls upon both Antigone and Kreon, Kreon is the true tragic figure of Sophokles’ Antigone because he experiences a profound enlightenment and
A subject of debate in Sophocles’ play Antigone is which character complies with the characteristics of a tragic hero. The qualities that constitute a tragic hero are, in no particular order, having a high social position, not being overly good or bad, isolation, being tenacious in their actions, arousing pity in the audience, a revelatory manifestation, and having a single flaw that brings about their own demise and the demise of others around them. Creon possesses some of these qualities but, does not completely fulfill them all. Antigone does, however, conform to the persona of a tragic hero.
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.
Both Sophocles and Jean Anouilh use the simple story-line of a girl defying her uncle and king in the face of death to reflect upon the events and attitudes of their days. Sophocles' Antigone models the classical pattern of tragedy by incorporating key elements such as a tragic hero with a fatal flaw and the Man-God-Society triangle. Creon is the tragic hero who disturbs the natural harmony of Thebes by denying Polyneices a funeral. Antigone is the catalyst who forces him to reckon with the consequences of his pride and arrogance. In the twentieth century, Jean Anouilh takes Sophocles' drama, strips it down to its core, and weaves an entirely different version of the story. Anouilh redefines "tragedy" by removing the conventional tragic hero, the Man-God-Society triangle and the black-and-white distinctions within the story. He creates a heroine with human faults and emotions, whom society can both embrace and emulate, in order to criticize the Vichy collaboration with Nazi Germany during WWII.
The play “Antigone” by Sophocles displays many qualities that make it a great tragedy. A tragedy is defined as a dramatic or literary work in which the principal character engages in a morally significant struggle ending in ruin or profound disappointment. In creating his tragedy “Antigone”, Sophocles uses many techniques to create the feelings of fear and pity in his readers. This in turn creates an excellent tragedy.
Antigone could also be referred to as a tragedy sub-genre. Tragedy "recounts casually related series of events in the life of a person of significance, culminating in an unhappy catastrophe, the whole treated with dignity and seriousness" (554). Antigone is one of Sophocles' many famous tragedies. It is centered around the tragic outcome that may take place in the occurrence of being prideful. Sophocles portrays that pride can result in tragedy and in disaster. In the story, Creon is prideful as his position of King and he ultimately brings his city to ruins. "Tragedy" played a major role in the story.