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Characteristics Of Creon In Antigone

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A Tragic Hero

Controversy is seen in the play “Antigone” a tragedy story written by Sophocles, where people may be ambivalent to who the real tragic hero is. A tragic hero possess several characteristics that can be seen such as; having a high status position, having imperfections and having a downfall.(Anaphora) Creon fits into all of these characteristics qualifying him as the tragic hero. Having a high social status is one of the three characteristics that enable Creon to be the tragic hero.
In the opening of the play we see Creon’s position in society. Creon quickly replaces the king and comes into a position of power. “Unfortunately, the princes Eteocles and Polyneices have killed each other…I as the next in blood, have succeeded …show more content…

Creon can ascribe his stubbornness to the unwillingness to be wrong; Haimon can ascribe his stubbornness to the power Creon was given resulting in the developing of his ego. (Balanced) His ego impaired his ability to listen to anyone's advice. He explains that his “voice is the one voice giving orders in this city.”(Line 48) Creon fears that his pride will be ruined if he suddenly changes his decision. His son, Haimon, also reiterates the fact that Creon should put his ego aside by saying, “ In flood time time you can see how some trees bend, And because they bend, even their twigs are safe, While stubborn trees are torn up, roots and all.”(Line 80) Haimon’s analogies to trees clarifies that Creon should be more flexible and less stubborn. Creon himself shares his perspective saying, “Oh, it is hard to give in, but it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride.” ( Line 92) The life of Antigone was obviously not as as important as his pride. This reveals how pride impacted Creon’s mentality and decisions making him a tragic hero. The downfall of the tragic hero is the most meaningful essence as it is the most crucial part of the

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Creon’s son Haemon after learning about Antigone’s fate tries to reason with his father as to why he should let her go but every point he makes only causes Antigone more trouble, rather than helping. During Haemons conversation with his father he tries to reason with his father that he is not always right and that he needs to learn to bend his own rules in order for his leadership to work. He tries to convince Creon that “for a man to learn, even a wise man, is nothing shameful, nor to learn to bend or give way”(Sophocles 39). He tries to convince his father that if he needs to learn to bend his rules or his city will snap under their pressure. He is trying to show Creon that by releasing Antigone he is not going to lose control of the city

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Haemon, Creon’s son, goes to him in order to convince his father to release Antigone, arguing that the people are opposed to the actions of Creon against Antigone but are too afraid to speak their mind in front of the king. Creon arrogantly responds with the question “Am I to rule by other mind than mine?”(Ant.736). Creon considered his opinion to be

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This contributed to the fact that he was mentally lost. He had clouded judgment because of his idea of what is right for the city is the only way he would rule. As Burt describes “Creon remains adamant, and his judgment on Antigone and Ismene, along with his subsequent argument with his son, Haemon, reveals that Creon's principles are self-centered, contradictory, and compromised by his own pride, fears, and anxieties. ”(Burt). Creon can only think in his mindset and any other view to him is impossible to understand.

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In the story of Antigone by Sophocles , the character Creon is the tragic hero. Creon is a Tragic Hero because he was born into nobility, doomed to make a serious error in judgment, and realizes he made an irreversible mistake.

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These conflicting motivations cause the characteristics of anxiety, anger, and selfishness to be highlighted within Creon’s character. Ultimately, these conflicting motivations develop Creon as a tragic hero by giving Creon his free choice that makes his downfall exclusively his own fault and the character interactions advance the plot by pushing King Creon to insanity and showing that even the King’s own family was trying to urge him to change his decree, and develops the theme of love and loyalty by showing the struggle between faith and family. Through the words, actions, and ideas of Haemon, the visible contrast between Creon’s character and Haemon’s character are present. Creon’s inner anger, anxiety and selfishness cause him to lose sight

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After reading the tragedy of Antigone by Sophocles, one is left to wonder who the protagonist of this play is. Is it Creon or is it Antigone? To answer this question, one must define what a protagonist is. By definition, a protagonist is a leading actor or a character. Creon fits this description because not only do his actions lead into the whole tragedy, but his character shows a great development and the values he teaches to the readers.

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The reader feels pity for Creon for his lack of time to grieve and his tragic mistake that led to the loss of his family, this demonstrates his goodness. Creon, recently succeeded to take the throne of Eteocles, making him king. Therefore, giving him the title of royalty and showing superiority. His power and control over Thebes makes him important, and this power and importance leads to a lack of mercy for criminals.. CREON. I have summoned you here this morning because I know that I can depend on you: your devotion to King Laius was absolute; you never hesitated in your duty to our late ruler Oedipus; and

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Creon does not keep an open mind, and refuses to see her point of view. Antigone said she buried the body because of God’s law, but Creon puts his law above the God’s. This shows an extreme amount of pride and confidence. Another example of Creon showing hubris is when Haimon says. “It is no City if it takes orders from one voice,” (221).

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As demonstrated throughout the Greek tragedy Antigone, Creon’s tragic flaw is hubris which causes his downfall . The downfall begins when Creon refuses to give Polyneices, the son of Oedipus and the brother of Antigone, a burial. Creon believes that Polyneices did not die an honorable death as he broke exile and raised the sword against his home city, Thebes, so in return he will not receive a burial. Creon’s pride takes over and so he believes he is a man not only superior to women , but a king superior to the gods. He claims, Go out of your heads entirely?

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Creon finally realizes that his hubris has not let him effectively deal with his conflicts. Creon has his epiphany and even says, “I have been rash and foolish.” He finally acknowledges that he has let his pride take over for the worse. Creon also realizes that it was his fault Haemon dies. He would not listen to Haemon and take his advice.

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Countless times, Creon was implored to change his mind to preserve the safety of others. However, due to his uncompromising and egocentric nature, he repeatedly denied this aid, and therefore caused the tragedies of the deaths of his niece and his son. The events that occurred in the play Antigone accurately represent the characteristics of a tragic flaw and subsequent suffering that define a

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