Creon: The Tragic Hero In Sophocles Antigone

Sometimes a person 's mistakes can lead them to the right path, others are lead to their own degradation. Sophocles ' play Antigone puts out a dramatic take on Greek tragedy as they tell the story of a dysfunctional family and their fates. Thrown into the throne of the royal family of Thebes, new King Creon waltzed the palace with a large chip on his shoulder. He ruled his kingdom out of fear with an iron fist and a heavy temper. Creon had his chance at a 'Happily Ever After ' if he could only control his obstinacy. Of course, the king 's pride clouds his judgment and leads to his utter downfall and cataclysmic realization of his faults. Through his story, it is evident that Creon is the tragic hero of the story Antigone because he exhibits

The stress of liability under the powers of the throne caused a lot of built up rage to come out through Creon during the time of the prince 's deaths. The king carried a very palpable fault with him which shined through in this rulings and reactions about Polyneices ' burial. However, a personality flaw is one of the most self-evident characteristics of a tragic hero. Creon 's hubris, or extreme pride, leads him to many irrational choices and conversations with his closest loved ones. At the news of his nephew 's deaths, Creon makes a sudden decision on behalf of the men stating that "Polyneices... is to have no burial. No man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him" to which the crowd reacted ultimately stunned at his severity and irrationality (Sophocles 3). Though the citizens agree that Polyneices ' acts against his brother were heinous, they are shocked at Creon 's law, but follow along in fear of their new king. Upon receiving intel of Antigone 's crimes against Creon 's law, he speaks to his son, Haimon about her sentencing. Creon feels the need to stick by his formerly said punishment, overlooking the family connections he has to the perpetrator. He becomes too arrogant to ever think about her side of the story and instead focuses on his image. To Haimon, Creon says "I suppose she 'll plead "family ties." Well, let her. If I permit my own family to rebel, how shall I earn the world 's obedience? ...If we must lose, let 's lose to a man, at least! Is a

After pushing away every member of his family and causing confusion throughout the kingdom, Creon is faced with a new reality- he lost everything. He sent Antigone away to be locked up till her own death takes her, his son Haimon and his wife Eurydice took their own lives, and the prophet and people of the city look down upon Creon as he aches for his own death. Creon comes to a quick realization of his misfortunes at the sound of his poor wife 's last breath. With fear, he states "I have been rash and foolish. 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" (Sophocles 14). Creon learns that his actions set off the events leading to his family 's death and his ultimate downfall. Though this realization comes quickly, it appeared lucid far too late for him to