Antigone...Tragic Hero
In Greek literature, a tragic hero is based upon an individual having several of the following qualities: having a high social position in society; not being overly good or bad; being persistent or stubborn in their actions; having a single flaw that brings about their own death and the death of others; and obtaining pity from the audience. "Antigone" was a prime example of a Greek tragic hero. "Antigone", being the daughter of Oedipus, obtained a high social standing in Thebes. Prior to his self-exile from Thebes, Oedipus was the city's king. Because of her high standing in society, "Antigone" was capable of great suffering, in that she had a reputation and a vast amount of respect to lose. "Antigone's" good side is demonstrated by her insistence on respecting her brother Polyneices' right to be buried in the religious tradition of Greece. The Greeks believed that it was of most importance to bury a person who died in battle so that their soul may continue on in the after life. "Antigone" is willing to risk her own life so that Polyneices can have to proper burial that she so strongly feels he deserved; "but I will bury him: and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him
Creon shrank back, the blade missed; and the boy, desperate against himself, drove it half its length into his own side and fell. She held all the qualities of a true tragic hero in Greek literature. They faced "stoning to death in the public square. " (Exodus, line 68-72) Her death brings about the death of Haemon, who cannot bear to live without his love and bride to be "Antigone":"And suddenly drew his sword and lunged. The first such display is her decision to take matters into her own hands and bury her brother Polyneices. "She made a noose of her fine linen veil and hanged herself. in death, and I shall be dear to him as he to me. "Antigone" and her sister Ismene are placed in a cave and heavily guarded. Creon does not get the chance to follow through on his orders of stoning "Antigone" to and Ismene to death because "Antigone" decides to take her own life. "Antigone's" fatal flaw is her rash and headstrong behavior. And now he lies dead with the dead and she is his at last, his bride in the houses of the dead.
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