Similarities Between Antigone And Creon

In Sophocles' Antigone, both of the characters Antigone and Creon can be considered the tragic hero of the play. Although Antigone may demonstrate some characteristics of a tragic hero, it is Creon who displays the traits more clearly.

When Antigone opens, the sons of Oedipus lie dead at each other's hands. Both men considered themselves to be rightful heirs to the throne, but Eteocles alone had the support of the citizens of Thebes. Creon, Antigone's uncle, inherits the throne and buries Eteocles as a king who died defending the city - declaring Polyneices an enemy of the state. Performing the rites of burial for his nephew would be an offense punishable by death.

Although this decree is shocking to many of the characters in the play, Creon sees it as a political necessity. As he sees it, the body of an enemy cannot be honored. Being that he is the king, Creon acts as an essential character who is faced with difficult decisions. Creon is neither good or bad, but slightly somewhere in-between, as humans are. This sense of normalcy allows the audience to identify with his character. …show more content…
It is also important to keep in mind that in modern times, we think of heroes as admirable people whom we aspire to be like, however in literary terms the hero can be just the opposite. Sophocles initially depicts Creon as a just leader. He has rational reasons for his laws and punishments, but by the end of the play his hubris has taken over. This tragic flaw is what leads to Creon's