In the story of “Antigone,” written by Sophocles, there are many different characters all with their own unique impact. With having many characters like Sophocles does, it may become difficult for some readers when trying to determine which character is the true Greek tragic hero. The two most obvious choices for readers when choosing a Greek tragic hero would be Antigone or Creon. These two characters in most opinions have the biggest impact upon the story. Although Creon and Antigone both show characteristics of a Greek tragic hero, Creon is the obvious choice because of his pride that causes him to suffer many tragic deaths within his own family. Antigone, however, could also be thought of, by some readers, as the Greek tragic hero. The
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Antigone has some qualities that some readers may interpret as characteristics of a Greek tragic hero, but to most she is more of a hero. With Antigone being the hero, this does not necessarily make Creon the villain of the story. Creon is in fact the antagonist of the story, but with all of the tragedy he endured he is also seen as the Greek tragic hero. Honig would argue that Antigone is more of a political actor when she writes “She is a lamenting sister and she does die for her cause, but she is, more fundamentally, a political actor embroiled in fifth-century burial, kinship, and polis politics” (2). This would show that Antigone is not the Greek tragic hero but rather more of a political actor or hero instead. Antigone is seen as more of a hero because of the way she seems to rally the people around her. Antigone even had the guards of Creon on her side. Antigone says to Creon “No they are with me. But they keep their tongues in leash” (Sophocles 104). When Antigone says this, she is stating that even Creon’s guards agree with her but because of fear of the tyrant they hold their tongues. This is another example of how Creon is the Greek tragic hero, not only did he physically lose his family, but he also loses some of his power over his …show more content…
Creon’s pride is the main thing that brings a fall to his reign as the powerful tyrant. Creon would have never came to power if it wasn’t for the old king exiling himself, and then the two brothers killing each other in a fight for power. Creon then inherits the throne. Creon messes up right when he comes to power with his first demand being that one of the prince’s body not be buried. Most people in the story agree that this was not fair to bury one body but mutilate the other. In the fifth century Greek life, not bury a body is one of the most humiliating things you could possible do to a person, as they believe that this would not allow that person to pass over into the afterlife. Creon then makes an early enemy with Antigone as she believes that both of her brothers deserve a proper Greek burial. Creon continues to let his pride get in the way of his judgment when making decisions on this particular situation. After Creon arrest Antigone for burying her brother’s body, Antigone first tries to reason with Creon. After realizing that she cannot reason with the prideful tyrant, she accepts her fate. However, by sentencing Antigone to death, he is also killing the woman that his son is in love with. Haimon says to Creon, “father: reason is God’s mist. I cannot say – I hope that I shall never want to say! That you have reasoned badly”
Antigone has some qualities that some readers may interpret as characteristics of a Greek tragic hero, but to most she is more of a hero. With Antigone being the hero, this does not necessarily make Creon the villain of the story. Creon is in fact the antagonist of the story, but with all of the tragedy he endured he is also seen as the Greek tragic hero. Honig would argue that Antigone is more of a political actor when she writes “She is a lamenting sister and she does die for her cause, but she is, more fundamentally, a political actor embroiled in fifth-century burial, kinship, and polis politics” (2). This would show that Antigone is not the Greek tragic hero but rather more of a political actor or hero instead. Antigone is seen as more of a hero because of the way she seems to rally the people around her. Antigone even had the guards of Creon on her side. Antigone says to Creon “No they are with me. But they keep their tongues in leash” (Sophocles 104). When Antigone says this, she is stating that even Creon’s guards agree with her but because of fear of the tyrant they hold their tongues. This is another example of how Creon is the Greek tragic hero, not only did he physically lose his family, but he also loses some of his power over his …show more content…
Creon’s pride is the main thing that brings a fall to his reign as the powerful tyrant. Creon would have never came to power if it wasn’t for the old king exiling himself, and then the two brothers killing each other in a fight for power. Creon then inherits the throne. Creon messes up right when he comes to power with his first demand being that one of the prince’s body not be buried. Most people in the story agree that this was not fair to bury one body but mutilate the other. In the fifth century Greek life, not bury a body is one of the most humiliating things you could possible do to a person, as they believe that this would not allow that person to pass over into the afterlife. Creon then makes an early enemy with Antigone as she believes that both of her brothers deserve a proper Greek burial. Creon continues to let his pride get in the way of his judgment when making decisions on this particular situation. After Creon arrest Antigone for burying her brother’s body, Antigone first tries to reason with Creon. After realizing that she cannot reason with the prideful tyrant, she accepts her fate. However, by sentencing Antigone to death, he is also killing the woman that his son is in love with. Haimon says to Creon, “father: reason is God’s mist. I cannot say – I hope that I shall never want to say! That you have reasoned badly”