A tragic hero is a man who "... is highly renown and prosperous, but
             One who is not pre-eminently virtuous and just, whose misfortune,
             However, is brought upon him not by vice or depravity, but by some
             Error in judgment or frailty (hamartia)..." (Aristotle).
             As defined in Poetics by Aristotle, a tragedy must possess certain characteristics in order to be acknowledged as a true tragedy. He stated tragedy should be an imitation, or mimesis, of life as it is. The purpose of tragedy is to arouse catharsis, or sense of pity, which enables the audience to learn the lessons of the tragedy. This is accomplished through development and description of a tragic figure. By definition, this figure is usually the primary protagonist who experiences the changes that take place in the plot. They are described as virtuous citizens who are unwilling to compromise their beliefs. It must also be someone with whom the audience can identify so that they may take the lessons of the tragedy and apply them to their own lives. The tragic character must also experience a moment of anagnorisis, which is the moment in which they acknowledge the tragic flaw that has brought about their own downfall. According to Aristotle, a tragedy must also follow a format. They depict ideal situations and therefore must focus on a central theme and the come together with purpose in the end. In Antigone, by Sophocles, there are arguably two tragic heroes. Though Antigone is typically considered the protagonist there is evidence to support Creon as a tragic hero as well. This dual nature of Antigone distorts many of the play's tragic characteristics. Because of this it fails to fit the perfect Aristotlean definition and can arguably be considered a flawed tragedy.
             Antigone is generally referred to as the heroine of the play. In many ways she exhibits the qualities that are by definition qualities of the tragic figure. She lives by a st...