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Antigone
The tragedy Antigone has several characters that may be considered a tragic hero; however, King Creon best fits the tragic hero description. Aristotle, the philosopher who began the idea of a describes the most successful tragic heroes, defines it as a character of high status who falls to catastrophe because of a fatal flaw. called hamartia. There are four characteristics and three plot elements of a tragic hero. King Creon fits each characteristic and element for the Aristotelian model of the tragic hero in Antigone.
To be a tragic hero according to Aristotle, the character According to Aristotle, a tragic hero must have four distinct characteristics. The character must be of noble status have high status, have a fatal flaw called also known as hamartia, recognize his/her mistakes, and experience enlightenment. Creon fits each characteristic. He is the king and ruler of Thebes. He has a hamartia, a flaw that leads to his downfall. While ruling, Creon goes against the laws of heaven and decides to forbid anyone from burying Polyneices. Because he goes against the gods, he
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A tragic hero must experience peripeteia, a downfall, recognition, and catastrophe. In the beginning, Creon is appointed the King of Thebes the city of Thebes appoints Creon as king. Being king makes him happy and As king, Creon feels powerful yet fears anarchy.; however, it also causes his downfall. His first edict prevents anyone from burying Polyneices because in Creon’s perspective, Polyneices attacks Thebes as a traitor. Antigone, Polyneices’ brother, defies Creon’s decree and buries Polyneices to follow the “laws of heaven.” to not bury Polyneices is defied by Antigone. He Creon decides to kill her, angering his city and son since they believe she bravely honored the gods by burying Polyneices. In Scene 3, Haimon, his son, informs him of the discord in the