Theme Of Archetype In Antigone

Daniel Segun-Fajuyigbe

Date: 2/28/23

Period 8 TITLE

“There is no happiness where there is no wisdom, No wisdom but in submission, to the gods. Big words are always punished, and proud men in old age learn to be wise”- Sophocles. The playwright, Sophocles, Implies that wisdom is key to happiness and excessive hubris will either lead to a tragic end or a good lesson. Hence, In Sophocles’ play “Antigone”, Creon best embodies the archetype of a tragic hero due to the enlightenment he experienced, his prideful and impatient attitude, and the result of his flaw which leads to his “fall”. Creon most closely fits with Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero as

For example, In the argument between Creon and Haemon, Creon states “You consider it right for a man of my years and experience to go to school to a boy?” (Sophocles Scene 3, Lines 95-96), as a rebuttal to Choragus’s statement. Creon’s refusal to listen to reason due to the fact that he is in a higher position of power can be a testament to his tragic flaw of pride which in turn prompts him to make a lot of rash decisions. Additionally, Creon experiences enlightenment in the dialogue between him and Choragus, In the text, Creon states “It troubles me. Oh, it is hard to give in! but it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride.” (Scene 5, Lines 91-93). Creon becomes conscious of his act of pridefulness and reaches a state of enlightenment which in turn prompts him to try to make up for his mistakes. Additionally, this change shows his ability to accept advice and do what is right, which had not been shown throughout the play. Consequently, These acts lead Creon to the

For example, Creon proves his pridefulness when he states in response to Teiresias message “Get rich otherwise than by my consent to bury him. Teiresias, it is a sorry thing when a wise man Sells his wisdom, lets out his words for hire!” (Sophocles Scene 5, Lines 51-53). Okonkwo also shows his refusal to listen to reason by insisting on going to war against the colonizers despite his Village’s objections and ultimately bringing about its destruction. He never once took into consideration the consequences for his claim and the damage it would bring upon his people if they failed. The prideful Okonkwo now facing his “son”: Dazed with fear, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut him down. He was afraid of being thought weak” (Achebe 7, pg 44). Similarly, Creon filled with fear of being seen as weak acts on impulse causing him to disrespect the gods leading his family’s end. Both Creon and Okonkwo’s end stems from their fear of being perceived as weak therefore causing them to act on impulse. Nonetheless, although similar, our tragic hero’s come with a difference: “ The princes Eteocles and Polyneices, have killed each other in battle; and I, as the next in blood, have succeeded to the full power of the throne” (Sophocles Scene 1, Lines 15-17). Creon's assumption of power is due to the