Creon's Tragic Hero In Sophocles Antigone

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"Whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, the gift of eloquence, he and no one else, and character too…such men, I tell you, spread them open—you will find them empty" (791-794). In the play “Antigone”, Sophocle illustrated the definition of a tragic hero. In the beginning of the set, Creon was portrayed as a just leader. He had good, rational reasons for his laws and punishments. But by the end of the play, Creon’s hubris had taken over. The bravery of Antigone's rebellious act caused Creon to bring out his hidden characteristics. Antigone, Creon’s niece, experienced the heartbreaking death of her two brothers. Eteocles had been buried. However, the traditional burial of Polyneices had been prohibited. Enraged with a broken heart, …show more content…

This includes the growth of a hamartia, the realization of differing results as hoped for, and the experience of anagnorisis. The first stage begins with the rise of hubris. Hubris is the characteristic of being excessively prideful. After Antigone explained her very justifiable side of the story, Creon manipulated her motivations, “Here she again displays her proud contempt—having done the act, she now boasts of it" (546 – 547). He did not realize how bad his hubris had interfered with the way in which he would cope and communicate with others. The second stage of becoming a tragic hero is the realization of which the situation was getting out of hand, and he was at fault. Light shined when Teiresias’s prophecy was projected, and Creon had a change of heart, “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” (1236 – 1238). Though Creon’s pride was tough to swallow, he put his pride aside to fix his relationship with his family. He took note of where he should have done better. However, “Should have, could have, and would have” – he was too late. The final stage is anagnorisis. This is when “karma” comes back around in a treacherous way to teach the tragic hero a lesson. To enlighten, Creon lost his most treasured hearts, “Haemon has been killed” (1311), “Your wife is dead—blood mother of that corpse—slaughtered with a sword—her wounds are very

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