antigone
Many critics feel that in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles, there are two characters that can be considered the tragic hero. Antigone and Creon both display many characteristics that would label them the tragic hero. Creon's actions are against the will of the gods, and this is why he cannot be the tragic hero of Antigone. In his literary criticism of the play, Brian Vickers presents a similar feeling, "Creon is brutal and Antigone is thoroughly admirable." This idea proves true throughout the play. It is eveident that Antigone's actions are driven by a love for her brother, and a desire to please the gods. While Creon's actions are founded in his quest for more power and complete control over the city of Thebes and its people. Creon's brutality can best be illustrated by looking at the way his citezens, other than Antigone, react to his laws. One example is the way Ismene talks about Creon when she is trying to convince Antigone not to bury Polyneices. She tells Antigone, "We must obey them (the laws)...I yield to those with authority. (Sophocles)" The people of Thebes obey his laws purely out of fear of Creon, and the respect owed to a king. Antigone is no
If he had been an established king, his punishment would not have been so brutal. Although this is true, it does not give him the prerogative to blatantly defy the will of the gods. It is not the manner in which a "hero" would speak to his people. Antigone debated over the issue of whether to bury her brother or not. Creon was simply trying to make a name for himself. The brutality of Creon does not just refer to the way he treats Criminals. Those who argue that Creon was only trying to protect and preserve the city extend this idea too far. Each of Antigone's actions were admirable, in the interest of her brother and the gods. Once again Creon says the prophet has been corrupted by money. Haimon comes to speak with Creon about Antigone, but Creon refuses to listen to Haimon claiming he is "a girl struck fool". He felt he had to be that way because being a new king he wanted to gain the respect of the people. The second quote of Creon, "If she gets away with this, call me a woman and call her a man. That is why his treatment of Antigone was so harsh. Even if she were afraid of Creon it still would not have changed her actions because she answers to a higher power, the gods.
Common topics in this essay:
James Hathorn,
Brian Vickers,
Antigone Ismene,
Antigone Creon,
Creon Tiresias,
Creon Antigone,
Yes Creon,
Antigone Sophocles,
Admirability Antigone,
Haimon Haimon,
tragic hero,
creon's actions,
antigone creon,
please gods,
james hathorn addresses,
people thebes,
it's crime,
antigone's actions,
gods creon's,
creon trying,
city thebes,
tragic hero antigone,
|
Acceptance Essays
