Who Is the Tragic Hero, Antigone or Creon? This analysis is to determine the character that fits the tragic hero profile; it was completely based according to the Aristotelian idea of tragic hero and it is understood that hero is: "…neither purely evil or purely wicked; the hero must born in the high social status, and he/she must possess a tragic flaw which is proper from the inner side of the character; it usually manifests in the form of poor judgment and or arrogance, condemning him/herself into a catastrophic finality and in the meanwhile, establishes other character's destiny" (Eschbach 02/17,). Either Antigone or Creon is situated in the highest level of the social hierarchy. Creon became the king of Thebes, after his two nephews killed each other over the throne; Antigone (Creon's niece), was an orphan who happened to be Creon's future daughter in law. Both presented moral values, differing exclusively on the situation they were applied. Creon's actions towards the people reflected honesty and equal treatment upon the laws he made. Antigone's actions towards the burial of her brother (although he fought against his country, she taught that he deserved to be buried), reflected fidelity and respect upon the religious traditi
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After a profound analysis of the tragedy, I strongly think that Antigone is not able to be a tragic heroine. And as it was told in the previous tragedy, "the curse over Oedipus' family would prevail with the continuation of his family" (Taylor), so his sons and daughters were included in the curse and therefore, their story would end up in tragedy. He is very clear when he says "These are my principles. Eventhough after Tiresias' advice"… you have no business with the dead, nor do the gods above- this is violence you have forced upon the heavens. In spite of his hubris and actions, he did not only kill his son and wife, but everyone in Thebes disliked him, and as a consequence, he ended up living with regret and lonely for the rest of his life. With his personality, Creon, just happened to be the "black sheep" on that occasion, and so he suffered just as his brother did. Upper Sadde River, NJ: Blair Press, 1997. Why would he lock Antigone up and starve her to death when he could have her killed in an effective and quick way? He did that to make it very clear to everyone that he is the only one who possesses power and would reach the lowest moral level to anyone who would dare to be against his rules: "I will take her down some wild, desolate path never trod by men, and wall her alive in a rocky vault, and set out short rations, just the measure piety demands /to keep the entire city free of defilement" (Sophocles 1064). "She stabbed herself at the altar" [because he] "killed her son" (Sophocles 1078). And so the avengers, the dark destroyers late but true to the mark, now lie in wait for you, the Furies sent by the gods and the god by the death to strike you down with the pains that you perfected!" (Sophocles 1072), the king remained blind by his pride. The type of punishment given to Antigone was very severe and cowardly, in contrast to the main reason that caused it. She is just too perfect to be a tragic hero; she only does what is right, and her death is not seen as a tragedy and yet, a benefit.
Approximate Word count =
1910
Approximate Pages =
8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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