In the play “Antigone”, we see a man in power make fatal assumptions about his self-worth. Creon’s stubbornness and superiority complex ultimately leads to his and his family’s demise. This is used as a punishment for Creon’s assumed superiority over the Gods. This is all extremely evident in the play, along with Antigone’s role as the play’s tragic hero. In the story, Antigone and Creon are so contrasted because Creon’s character is one that is selfish and supports a patriarchal rule over his land. On the other hand, Antigone is a strong and bold women that believes what needs to be taken care of, will get done, no matter who’s against it. Antigone has a strong belief that a woman can do anything a man can, and is willing to die by that statement.
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We see Creon immediately dismiss Antigone saying “Pass, then, to the world of the dead… While I live, no woman shall rule me.” It is perhaps this dismive thinking that leads Creon’s life to be spared while his loved ones and family dies around him, with just his city left to judge him. Rather than Creon be banished or executed for his actions, it is intentional that he be given an even worse punishment: being the cause of death of his son, wife, and niece. At the end of the play the reader can see Creon break down in realisation of his own actions. “Best fate of all! Oh, let it come, that I may never look upon to-morrow’s light.” In this, we see Creon essentially wish for death upon himself, something the Gods intended to take place after Creon continued to defy their law.
Overall, in this play we see the potential rise of the tragic yet powerful Antigone with her swift downfall followed soon after. The rise and downfall of a ruler that never knew his place to begin with is also takes place. Creon deservingly receives a harsh punishment that will last for eternity in his conscious. Many call the story a tragedy, but it could be considered quite the opposite with the quick yet brutal downfall of the essential antagonist. The reader also can see the “happy ending” in which the protagonist gets everything she wanted, the chance to avenge her dead brother and avoid
We see Creon immediately dismiss Antigone saying “Pass, then, to the world of the dead… While I live, no woman shall rule me.” It is perhaps this dismive thinking that leads Creon’s life to be spared while his loved ones and family dies around him, with just his city left to judge him. Rather than Creon be banished or executed for his actions, it is intentional that he be given an even worse punishment: being the cause of death of his son, wife, and niece. At the end of the play the reader can see Creon break down in realisation of his own actions. “Best fate of all! Oh, let it come, that I may never look upon to-morrow’s light.” In this, we see Creon essentially wish for death upon himself, something the Gods intended to take place after Creon continued to defy their law.
Overall, in this play we see the potential rise of the tragic yet powerful Antigone with her swift downfall followed soon after. The rise and downfall of a ruler that never knew his place to begin with is also takes place. Creon deservingly receives a harsh punishment that will last for eternity in his conscious. Many call the story a tragedy, but it could be considered quite the opposite with the quick yet brutal downfall of the essential antagonist. The reader also can see the “happy ending” in which the protagonist gets everything she wanted, the chance to avenge her dead brother and avoid