Antigone: The Tragic Hero In Oedipus Rex By Sophocles

Antigone is the last story of the famous Greek trilogy and tragedy, The Oedipus Cycle, and was written by Sophocles. In all Greek tragedies, including Antigone, they must include a character that is considered a tragic hero. A tragic hero must have a tragic spirit, vision, and suffering. In Oedipus Rex, the first story of the trilogy, it is clearly understood that Oedipus is the tragic hero in this story. However, the tragic hero of Antigone is a bit debatable. Some believe that Creon is, and some argue that Antigone is. But, which one is really the tragic hero of Antigone? To look at it differently, Creon has frequently changed as a character throughout The Oedipus Cycle. Creon is Oedipus’s brother in-law and stays close to him during Oedipus

Approaching the end of the book, Creon finally begins to acknowledge the fact that his excessive pride has gone way out of hand and it affects him deeply. “Oh it is hard to give in! But it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride,” (235 Sophocles). In this quote, Creon comes to a realization about all of the actions that he has done. He begins accepting Teiresias’ prophecy after accusing him of selling out. This also leads him to let Antigone free from her vault and bury her brother Polyneices. It is also possible that Creon is to blame for Haimon’s death. Creon refused to listen to Haimon’s advice and was not able to see that Haimon was in love because of his hubris. “My own blind heart has brought me from darkness to final darkness. Here you see the father murdering, the murdered son -- and all my civic wisdom! Haimon my son, so young, so young to die, I was the fool, not you; and you died for me,” (242 Sophocles). This shows that Creon’s pride was very strong that it led to the death of Haimon. As a character, Creon frequently changes throughout The Oedipus Cycle. He becomes the leader of Thebes and starts to become a very arrogant person. He abuses his powers to his own will, rather than for the good of the people. His hubris becomes so powerful that it causes the death of Haimon and continuously refuses to bury Antigone’s brother after not fulfilling his obligation to Thebes. This reveals that Creon is the tragic hero of