More handpicked essays just for you.
Assingment about greek tragedy
Reading on antigone the character
Character Analysis Of Antigone In The Play Antigone
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
The tragic hero is an element of Greek Theater that can found in almost every single ancient Greek play. Tragic heros can be characterized by having a tragic flaw, suffering a loss, discovery of the flaw, and acceptance of fate. In Sophocles’ Antigone, King Creon exhibits all these qualities, making him the tragic hero of the play. Creon’s tragic flaw is his excessive pride, or hubris. When Creon makes the decree that Polyneices’ body is not allowed to be buried, his pride causes him to stay unwavering behind this decision, even when multiple people point out that he is wrong. For example, the Choragos says, “I have been wondering, King; can it be that the gods/have done this?” and Creon responds, “Stop!/...‘The gods!’/Intolerable!” (i.113-118). This exchange shows how Creon always stands by his decisions, even if they may be wrong. Later in the play, Creon’s son, Haimon, begs Creon to listen to reason, and more so, the people of Thebes. Haimon says, “I beg you, do not be unchangeable:/The man who thinks that,/The man …show more content…
who maintains that only he has the power/A man like that, when you know him, turns out empty,” issuing an admonition to Creon, while also foreshadowing, about the the events to come. Although Creon does not know it yet, this hubris and inflexibility will be the reason his entire world falls apart. Like every other tragic hero, Creon suffers a great loss. In his case, the loss is the suicide of Haimon and Eurydice, his wife. Haimon kills himself because he is distraught over Antigone’s sentencing and subsequent death, and Eurydice kills herself out of grief over her son’s death, furthermore cursing Creon. When Creon realizes the affect his action have had on his family, he says, “I have killed my son and my wife./I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead./Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing./Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust,” (Exodus 143-146). Creon recognizes what his actions have done and what his tragic flaw is.Creon becomes wiser, realizing that his tragic flaw, hubris, is not a positive quality, but one that hurt those around him. The final quality of a tragic hero is learning a lesson because of an error and judgement., For Creon, his lesson is learning about his hubris, and how it is his tragic flaw.
In this case, it is too late for Creon to fix his judgement and must suffer the consequences. After Haimon and Eurydice die, Creon becomes aware of how his stubbornness and pride caused the death of his family. Creon becomes broken and realizes how he was wrong, causing the audience to feel pity for him. Creon’s lesson is both a lesson for himself and a lesson for the audience. The Choragus closes the play saying, “There is no happiness where there is no wisdom;/No wisdom but in submission to the gods./Big word are always punished,/And proud men in old age learn wise” (Exodus 147-148) The Choragus essentially gives a warning to the audience not to make the same mistakes, that is being to proud and trying to have more authority than the gods, as Creon does throughout the
play. Throughout Antigone, Creon shows the attributes of a tragic hero. He has a tragic flaw, suffers a loss, discovers his flaw, and accepts his fate. Creon learns how his tragic flaw, hubris, affected those around him. By learning this lesson, Creon is used to portray the moral of the story and warn against his particular flaw, hubris.
Antigone is a great Greek tragedy by Sophocles. The story is about a young woman who has buried her brother by breaking king’s decree, and now she is punished for obeying God’s law. There are many arguments about who is the tragic hero in Sophocles’ Antigone. Some believe that it is Creon because he also has the characteristics of a tragic hero. Others believe that it is Antigone because the play bears her name. Antigone is the perfect hero, to exemplify the meaning of a tragic hero. In order to determine whether Antigone is the tragic hero, one will have to answer the question, what is a tragic hero? According to Aristotle, “The tragic hero is a character of noble stature and has greatness, he/she is not perfect, the hero's downfall and it is partially his/her own fault, and the hero's misfortunate is not wholly deserved.” (Aristotle) Antigone is a tragic hero because she has a high social standing in Thebes, she neither good nor bad, and her suffering appears to be unjust and unfair to the audience.
Antigone, which was written by Sophocles, is possibly the first written play that still exists today (www.imagi... 1). There is much controversy between who the 'tragic hero' is in the play. Some people say Antigone, some say Creon, others even say Heamon. I believe Creon displays all of the characteristics of a 'tragic hero'. He receives compassion through the audience, yet recognizes his weaknesses, and his downfalls from his own self-pride, stubbornness, and controlling demands. He is the true protagonist.
To open, the things he said showed how he changed and became the tragic hero of the play. Many of his statements reveal his personality including his admirable parts and his flaws. When Creon says: "I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly," (Sophocles, scene 1,24-26), it shows his strong sense of nationalism and leadership which catches up with him in the end. "The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their necks at the pull of the smallest curb" (scene 2,76-79) is what Creon says to Antigone after finding out she is the one who buried Polynieces. He thinks that if Antigone wasn't so headstrong and arrogant then she could have avoided the consequence he was about to give her. I think Creon was being a hypocrite because he is just as stubborn as she is. The reason why Creon and Antigone come in to so much conflict is because their ways of thinking are almost exactly alike. "It is hard to deny the heart! But I will do it: I will not fight with destiny" (scene 5, 100), is a statement that shows Creon detecting his fault and how he needs to correct it. After talking to Teiresias, the blind prophet, he realizes in order for the higher powers to forgive him he needs to release Antigone. "Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust" (exodos, 138). Creon recognizes his flaw and its consequences but it is too late because fate has already occurred.
Creon's character possesses an infinite number of glitches in his personality, but his excessive pride was the root of his problems. His pride leads him to make accusations, before he considers the wise advice of others. Creon's pride also fills him not just as a king superior to the Gods, but also a man superior to women. The issue of Antigone being condemned to die becomes more than just a person who disobeys Creon; instead, the punishment is given even more eagerly, because it is a woman who disobeys a man. Creon's intelligent son warns Creon the people of Thebes sympathize with Antigone, but Creon accuses Haemon of being a "woman's slave" (line 756). Even though he is suppose to be loyal to the state and her citizens, he defensively questions if "the town [is] to tell [him] how [he] ought to rule?"(Line 734)The Theban king is too prideful to obey even the wisest of prophets, blind Teresias, insisting that "the whole crew of seers are money-mad" (line 1055). Creon finally puts his pride aside and listens to the Chorus' wise advice. It is difficult even then, and he obeys only because he fears the punishment that he might receive. "To yield [for Creon] is terrible" (line 1095) meaning to swallow his pride and admit that he is wrong is a very difficult thing for him to do. When Creon loses his wife and son, Creon's pride disappears, and he admits that he made a terrible mistake by not listening to anyone's advice.
For example, Creon said " I here proclaim to the city that this man shall no one honor with a grave and none shall mourn. You shall leave him without burial." (Sophocles 188). This shows that Creon feels more superior than the Gods, and creates his own law for an orderly, stable society. Another way Creon used his power was by punishing Antigone for disobeying his law of leaving Polynices unburied, and that she should starve to death in cave and isolated from society. An example, is shown when he said "Lead her away at once. Enfold her in that rocky tomb of hers- as I told you to. There leave her alone, solitary, to die if she wishes or live a buried life in such a home." (Sophocles 215). This illustrates that he has transformed from reasonable and understanding, to brutal and
In the beginning of the play Creon presents a strong confident image, although it becomes apparent self-doubt is present due to his inability to accept a diminished view of himself. Whilst giving the orders to murder anyone who tries to bury Antigone’s brother, Creon refuses the advice of his trusted council because they suggest he may be in the wrong. Creon so harshly yells Stop right there, before I am gorged with rage! (Page 12). The personality trait of being unyieldingly stubborn is one a majority can of people relate to. Therefore the audience might have felt sympathy towards him during that moment. Often the audience relates well to the tragic and can ...
...e is another corpse before me. Alas for the poor mother, alas for the child” (Sophocles 1302-1307). This shows how mean Creon was; however, he does understand how his mistake was as a result of his own actions.
As once said by Aristotle, "A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall". A tragic hero is often seen as someone with great stature who is noble yet imperfect, and experiences suffering due a moral flaw. In Sophocles’ Ancient Greek play The Oedipus Cycle, Creon represents the true tragic hero when his flawed actions and excessive pride create the path towards his demise.
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 highlighted as the tragic figure, initially created decisions he thought was 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. When Creon decided to forbid the burial of Polynices, as he believed Polynices was a traitor to Thebes, Antigone was outraged. This decision, viewed through the eyes of Creon, was just and fair; on the other hand, Antigone viewed his decision as cruel and selfish, which resulted into a major conflict between these two characters. When Antigone disobeyed his proclamation, Creon became infuriated towards this rebellious act. Those small events within the play expressed Creon as a ruler doing what he believes is right; on the other hand, Antigone’s rebellion expressed otherwise. Antigone was soon shown to cause an evil spark within Creon. This “spark” caused Creon to intensify his punishments towards Antigone, which in turn caused a chain reaction of events and eventually led to his tragic decline. Being portrayed as a menacing villain throughout the play, Creon began as an honorable man; however, overwhelming events and confrontations caused Creon to evolve in to this monstrous figure.
A tragic hero is supposed to either have a character flaw or an error of judgment. In the play, Creon has two flaws. He has the character flaw of willful arrogance and his unyielding behavior and he has the flaw of making and error of judgment when he passes the proclamation. Along with a character flaw, a tragic hero must realize the fall. Creon truly realizes his fall when he states “Alas, how miserable I feel to look upon this second horror.” (line 1430-1440) The mistakes that he made are exemplified when Creon states, “Alas, my son, you died so young a death before your time.”(line 1410) He is feeling so much regret and disappointment in himself. This is the first part in the play where he realizes his mistake in passing an unjust proclamation and accepts responsibility for all that has happened. It is the first time that he has woken up to the realities of what he has done to his family. He had already taken the first step towards repentance of his wrong doing when he personally sees to it that the body of Polynices received a proper burial. However, he was too late to rescue Haemon, Antigone, or his wife. Creon is truly paying the consequences of being inflexible and
Creon, in his paranoia was plagued with the feeling of incompetence and need to establish dominance. His decree that no one would bury Polyneices only provoked the people of Thebes into thinking of him as insensitive to their culture. When his ruling was disobeyed, only led him to him to believe that conspiracy was about and that no matter, family or not, he would punish Antigone, causing a chain reaction of events causing the loss of his entire family, except Ismene. Leaving the audience experiencing pity and fear for both characters.
Over time, history has given society many to whom we call true heroes. There are many reasons these heroes have been looked up to such as: bravery, dedication, confidence, and inspiration. However, a tragic hero requires a few different qualities. Aristotle describes a tragic hero as a “member of royalty,” someone who “must fall from tremendous good fortune,” and someone who creates pity for him or herself (“Connections: A Theory” 2000). In Greek drama, Sophocles’ Antigone and Euripides’ Medea both contain several possible tragic heroes including Medea, Jason, and Creon. More specifically, in Antigone Creon exemplifies the qualities of a tragic hero best due to his prominent power as king of Thebes, the way he holds strong to his stubborn pride, and the sympathy felt for him in his tragic downfall.
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.
Creon was a king who made a fatal mistake, he didn’t listen to other people. In the beginning of the play Creon decided not to bury the body of his dead nephew Polyneices. He proclaimed throughout his city that whoever buries Polyneices will be stoned to death. Creon hoped that by making such a threat he would stop any disagreements and would establish peace in Thebes. But Creon was wrong. Antigone, a relative of Creon, decided to bury Polyneices, because she felt that Polyneices’ soul didn’t deserve an eternity of suffering and wondering (Greeks believed that if a person wouldn’t be properly buried his soul would wonder forever and will never be at ease). Unfortun...