Sophocles Antigone-Creon As A Tragic Hero

Creon as a Tragic Hero A tragic hero is a character whose actions result in personal downfall. This demise could be seen in isolation, unhappiness, and many times death. In the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles, two main characters, Creon and Antigone, can be seen as tragic heroes. Each character’s demise is a consequence of Creon’s orders to prohibit the proper burial of Antigone’s brother, Polynices, as he was considered a traitor to the kingdom of Thebes. Creon in the Greek tragedy Antigone exemplifies that of a tragic hero in that his self dignity and fear of losing his citizen’s loyalty results in the loss of his family, leaving him alive but alone. In the play, the audience is already aware of the death of the two previous rulers of Thebes, Eteocles and Polynices. Polynices had created a rebellion to attack the government due to difficulties in sharing the power of king with his brother. Creon takes on the role of King to the Theben people, and therefore has a reputation to uphold. When Creon publicly decrees that the proper burial of Polyneices is punishable by death, he is unable to turn back on his word. If he did reverse the ruling, his lack of willpower would be present to his

Tiresias tells Creon that his decision will cause the death of more people, and the uprising of the Theban people. Creon responds to these predictions by saying “Oh it is hard to give in! But it worse to risk everything for stubborn pride”(235). It is at this point where Creon realizes the severity of his actions. Creon fulfills one aspect of a tragic hero in his recognition of his own tragic flaw. However, it is too late to delay fate, as when he wants to free Antigone, she has already committed suicide. The flaw he had made aware to himself had already taken effect, as his son and wife take their lives due to the sequence of events that