Literary historians believe that the idea of the tragic hero probably originated with Sophocles, a classical greek dramatist; although the greeks never actually used the term "tragic hero" (Knox, 1-2).Antigone, written by Sophocles, represents a challenge to traditional views of a tragic hero. Because its protagonist is a woman. This is surprising for a sexist era. This essay will examine the character of antigone as a "tragic hero". It will show that neither gender nor her actions agree with the Greek conception of a hero. This contradiction of character is understood with the concepts from ancient times, which was an era of sexism.
             To discuss tragedy, it's necessary to refer to Aristotle's famopus analysis of the form and function of tragedy in his poetics. Aristotle's definition of the tragic hero is:A man who is highly renowned and prosperous, but one who is not pre-eminently virtuous and just, whose misfortune, however is not brought upon by his vice and depravity but by some error of judgement or frailty. (Sophocles, Intro, XV)
             It can be argued that these lines show Antigone as being a tragic hero by right of inheritance, because she carries on her family's tradition of suffering. She asks Ismene to help her bury their brother Polynieces. His body was lying outside the walls unburied. Their uncle Creon ordered that he should not be buried because he betrayed Thebes attacking it. Now Antigone is passionate and close to irrational in her anger. Ismene is frightened because of what her sister wants to do.
             Although here is something darkly attractive about Antigone's rage, it seems completely out of proportion to the problem of the issue at stake. Ismene tries to counsel moderation and secrecy, but Antigone wants her rebellion against the orders of King Creon to be publicly known. This is very little of Antigone's rage that seems to be heroic. In fact, even those critics who consider her to be the play's hero ac...