Creons Tragic Flaw

After becoming king due to the deaths of his two nephews in battle, each by the other’s hand, Creon displays the characteristics of a tragic hero due to his flaw of character, which leads to an error in judgement and then an irreversible mistake, an admission of his mistake and finally an excessive punishment for his failure. Creon’s tragic flaw, arrogance, is evident during his first lines of the play. He gives a speech addressing the battle and his new kingship. While establishing the first decision of his reign, Creon tells his countrymen that he believes anyone who rules without “the soundest policies” but instead keeps quiet in fear is “utterly worthless” (Sophocles lines 198-202). Creon’s arrogance then causes him to use rash judgement. …show more content…
Yet Creon continues to enforce his law and in doing so makes in irreversible mistake: refusing to consider the advice of others. Creon’s son Haemon and the prophet Tiresias also advice Creon to reverse his law, but due to Creon’s arrogance and rash judgement, he accuses both of having ulterior motives (Sophocles 804, 827-828, 1123, 1147-1148). After Teiresias becomes angered by Creon’s disregard for his advice, he tells Creon of his doomed fate. When Creon hears of the impending misfortune on his household and city, he then begins to change his mind. By the recommendation of the leader, Creon leaves to bury Polyneices and free Antigone himself, admitting he and his “better judgement have come round” (Sophocles 1234-1236). Despite his change of heart, Creon faces a receives an excessive punishment that Antigone hangs herself and his son and wife Eurydice also commit suicide (Sophocles 1345-1346, 1362-1364,