Additionally “Cyrus heaped a huge pyre and set Croesus on the top of it...” (Herodotus). It costed him the death of his preferred son, the destruction of Lydia and his tragic ending. Croesus actions reflected what he believed to be a good life model. However, his results support the idea that obtaining success in a young life does not guarantee a later good life, especially if vanity and power influence the
In the short story titled “Antigone,” the author portrays Creon as a tragic hero by displaying flaws in Creon's character shown throughout the story. Creon’s character contains many flaws which lead to many problems. His decisions end up deciding the fates of his son, his wife, and Antigone. Creon finally realizes that what he has done is sinful to the gods. He has put his own pride over the appreciation of the gods.
In a certain way, the conflict was generated by the confrontation of two people who believed to be powerful. Creon saw himself as the new ruler of Thebes and he created a new image and became an arrogant and very self-centered person. For example, when Creon was arguing with Haem, he said to his son “will my subjects tell me how to rule” (834) , he also said "And I am guilty, then, Claiming due reverence for my sovereignty?” (852-3). These statements clearly show that Creon believed that being a new ruler gave him a new position over everyone; he thought that nobody could be against him or his rules.
Antigone's actions consistently display her dedication to the will of the gods, and Creon's behaviour steadily exhibits his fierce devotion to state laws. Thus, this Greek tragedy compellingly establishes and thoroughly explores the intricate and perplexing relationship between the two themes by utilizing the literary device of
Creon’s conflict involves two choices that seem equally righteous—that is, between the stability of the state and obedience to divine law. Initially, he wants to protect his people and stand against all odds. He is willing to listen to advice, take no man who does not support Thebes as his friend, and bury all bodies according to divine law. Instead, Creon opposes the gods’ law and does not follow through with his initial plans. Therefore, his tragic flaw is hubris, or excessive pride that causes his transgression again the gods.
“A city which belongs to just one man is no true city.” (lines 838-39) Throughout the play, Antigone, written by Sophocles, the character Haemon constantly tries to persuade his father, Creon, to listen to the people of his city and to become a more humble leader. Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character. Which results in the two characters having continual conflicting motivations.
Furthermore, King Lycurgus, song of Dryas, is similar to Creon and foreshadows that Creon will most likely be punished for his tragic flaw. “Bore the god’s prisoning anger for his pride:” (Sophocles 997). King Lycurgus and Creon both have much self pride in what they do and are overconfident with their power believing they are better than the gods themselves. “For he had profaned the revels / And fired the wrath of the nine / Implacable sisters that love the sound of the flute” (Sophocles 997). King Lycurgus was punished by the Muses because of his pride and because Creon’s behavior is very similar to King Lycurgus, it foreshadows that he may be punished for his big ego as
unchecked by humility can turn into recklessness and eventually death, whether physically or emotionally. This was meant to be a lesson to the Greek people to practice moderation and not to overindulge in virtues that would eventually become vices. Though Sophocles’ Creon can be well fitted with other famed tragic heroes, Antigone however cannot be put in the same category for the simple fact that she lacks the characteristics of a tragic heroine. In Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics he asserts that ‘’goodness is a quality known only to men of high social standing.’’
One of Creon’s biggest flaw was his pride. Because of his pride, Creon did not listen to what others had to say, even when those people were trying to help him. In this tragedy, Creon’s son, niece, and a prophet try to warn Creon that his actions will have tremendous consequences if he does not fix his ways. Creon did not do anything about it until it was to late and the damage was done. Because of his mistake to not listen to
Creon’s tragic flaw is his excessive pride. When Creon is speaking to Tiresias, a blind seer, he states, “Thou art a wise seer, but in love with wrong” (Sophocles 57). He does not believe that Tiresias is
The play, Antigone, is a tragedy written by the Greek poet Sophocles. A common theme among tragedies is that they have a tragic hero, and Antigone is no different. The tragic hero of this poem is Creon, the King of Thebes. Creon is faced with the difficult task of punishing his niece, Antigone. She has broken one of his laws stating that no one is to give proper burial rites to Polyneices, Antigone’s brother, because he tried to overthrow Creon.
Oftentimes, worthless pride gets the best of people, and they are faced with conflicts far bigger than their inflated hubris. A wise man Teiresias, from Sophocles’ play “Antigone” stated that, “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil: The only crime is pride.” this quote represents the fact that despite having a lot of confidence, too much confidence will undeniably lead to insecurity. In the play, “Antigone” there are several characters who let pride overtake them, and tragically, that pride ends up leading to their downfall.
Societies are, by necessity, made up of people, though according to Marx, “Society does not consist of individuals but expresses the sum of interrelations, the relations within which these individuals stand”. Societies contain an ethos that is shared in some way by all its inhabitants, but sometimes this ethos can become a sort of corrupt and unattainable ideal. When Arthur Miller wrote Death of a Salesman this ethos turned wrong was the driving force behind the tragedy of Willy Loman. However this conflict is far older than America; in 441 BC when Sophocles wrote Antigone this driving force was simply man made law (as opposed to divine or natural law). In both plays, these pervasive societal constructs are presented and deconstructed by means
In Sophocles’ play Antigone, Creon, the king of Thebes, best represents a tragic hero. Creon demonstrates goodness in his intentions for Thebes as well as his fragile state due to the fact that he recently lost several family members. Creon, newly named king, finds himself as highest ranking official around, showing superiority. Creon often acts stubborn and prideful, his tragic flaw. And lastly, he must come to terms with the fact that he caused the death of his wife, son, and niece.
Creon's irrationality leads to his downfall, causing him to, ultimately, lose everything he loved. Arrogance blinds people's weakness and self-injury
