Creon Is a Tragic Hero

The Hero, Creon

Aristotle once said, regarding his principles that a certain character is a tragic hero, "A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall." This quotation is an accurate statement regarding the actions between Creon in the beginning of the play, and at the end once he has lost his family. A tragic hero is defined as a character of noble stature, the hero is imperfect allowing the audience to relate to him, as well as the hero’s downfall is caused by his own fate, leading to the punishment exceeding the crime and the character’s realization leading to the fall. The audience experiences a catharsis at the end of the play, which allows the audience feel that society is “right” again. All six of these requirements of a tragic hero are present with the character, Creon, and it presents to readers that Creon is a tragic hero.

Creon was recently appointed the King of Thebes, or the highest nobility position in the country of Thebes. Not only was he made King by the fates that followed Eteocles and Polynices, but he was born into the ruling family of Thebes. Creon’s parent, Menoeceus, was the offspring of the founder of Thebes. It was in his blood to eventually rule Thebes. In the play, an example of how Creon demonstrated his authoritative power is when he is talking with his son, Haemon, “But whoever steps out of line, violates the laws, or presumes to hand out orders to his superiors, he’ll win no praise from me. But that man the city places in authority, his orders must be obeyed, large and small, right and wrong,” this is Creon’s way of saying that he will have authority over the people, whether they agree with him or not (Sophocles, 746-751). Creon also demonstrates his noble charac...

... middle of paper ...

... character of noble stature, the hero is imperfect allowing the audience to relate to him, as well as the hero’s downfall is caused by his own fate, leading to the punishment exceeding the crime and the character’s realization leading to the fall. The audience experiences a catharsis at the end of the play, which allows the audience feel that society is “right” again. All of the examples were proved true by multiple examples, along with quotations by Creon himself, and the people who were forced to obey to. Sophocles decides to leave Creon alive at the end of the play, Antigone, because it was part of his punishment to realize the loss to himself that he has created. Also, in hopes of reminding him of the respect of people that he could have had agreeing with him, than having nobody that would be there for him. Creon’s actions turned himself into a tragic hero.