What is a tragic hero? Many have asked this question and many have debated on which characters are tragic hero and which aren’t. A tragic hero is; “a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities” (CSUS 1). One of the most debated examples of tragic heroes are Antigone and Creon in Sophocles’ Antigone. Antigone is the best example of a tragic hero because she has to many a very difficult decision, many feels pity for her, and she ends up dying, but in honor. Creon show some of these trail, but not as obvious and exclusive like Antigone does. Sophocles crafted two incredible heros in Antigone: however, Antigone stood out as the epitome of what it means to be a tragic hero by making the Chorus and audience display pity towards
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Following through with this action would consequently result in her eternal rest. Before even committing the act she acknowledged that she was going to die, but she had to make that decision. “Fear not; thou livest, I died long ago Then when I gave my life to save the dead” (Sophocles 20). Antigone realizes what she has done and doesn’t regret burying her brother even though she knew that her life was at stake. This is what makes this decision 10x harder for Antigone. Creon is only bathing in his power and didn’t have to make nearly as hard of a decision that Antigone had to make. All these traits come together to show that Antigone is a better example of a tragic hero than Creon. Creon didn’t have to make any hard decisions at all. All his decision were made because he knew he had power, he didn’t think about what he was doing. Talking to the guards he ordered, “By you, as first by me; off with them, guards, And keep them close. Henceforward let them learn To live as women use, not roam at large” (Sophocles 21). Creon didn’t did think of the outcome of his actions unlike Antigone who knew that she was going to die. This is the final reason that makes Antigone the better example of a tragic
Following through with this action would consequently result in her eternal rest. Before even committing the act she acknowledged that she was going to die, but she had to make that decision. “Fear not; thou livest, I died long ago Then when I gave my life to save the dead” (Sophocles 20). Antigone realizes what she has done and doesn’t regret burying her brother even though she knew that her life was at stake. This is what makes this decision 10x harder for Antigone. Creon is only bathing in his power and didn’t have to make nearly as hard of a decision that Antigone had to make. All these traits come together to show that Antigone is a better example of a tragic hero than Creon. Creon didn’t have to make any hard decisions at all. All his decision were made because he knew he had power, he didn’t think about what he was doing. Talking to the guards he ordered, “By you, as first by me; off with them, guards, And keep them close. Henceforward let them learn To live as women use, not roam at large” (Sophocles 21). Creon didn’t did think of the outcome of his actions unlike Antigone who knew that she was going to die. This is the final reason that makes Antigone the better example of a tragic