In the play “Antigone,” by Sophocles, Creon, the king of Thebes, is the tragic hero, according to Aristotle’s definition of what a tragic hero is in Greek drama. The hero must be highly placed and Creon is a king. They must make a mistake and must possess a fatal flaw, also known as a hamartia. Creon’s hamartia is hubris, excessive pride. They must suffer a reversal of fortune, where the hero loses everything, and must exhibit tragic recognition in which he or she takes responsibility for their actions. Despite Antigone, Creon’s niece, being the protagonist and having her name as the title she just is not this play’s heroin. Creon’s beliefs and excessive pride will cost him things he loves very dearly before he realizes what he has done.
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Haimon tells Creon, “Then she must die. But her death will cause another” (3.125). Creon compares Haimon to a child and will not listen. Haimon asks, “It is not right if I am wrong. But if I am young, and right, what does my age matter?” (3.100-102). Creon will not listen to his own prophet, Teiresias. Teiresias realizes that Creon’s wrong when he tries to burn an offering to the gods and the flame will not burn. He also hears birds fighting and these are signs the god’s are not happy with Creon’s choices. Teiresias tells Creon, “O my son, these are no trifles! Think: all men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong” (5.33-35). It will be too late by the time Creon realizes the mistakes he has made and he will lose his son and wife along with …show more content…
I have been rash and foolish.
I have killed my son and my wife.
I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead.
Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing.
Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust. (Exodos.142-146).
If only he had taken the time to reconsider his decisions or had the heart to forgive his son’s fiancé’s discrepancies, Antigone would not have killed herself, and his son and wife would be alive as well. Creon’s convictions and abundance of pride are not enough to save him in the end. Antigone is no match for him at the end of the day, despite her willingness to stand up for what she believes is right, Creon is just not willing to accept he may be wrong in time for it to matter. It is ironic that this play was written two thousand plus years ago and the core issues with Creon are still seen in reality today. At the end of the day, love does not always win. You will learn many more life lessons from Sophocles, then you ever would
Haimon tells Creon, “Then she must die. But her death will cause another” (3.125). Creon compares Haimon to a child and will not listen. Haimon asks, “It is not right if I am wrong. But if I am young, and right, what does my age matter?” (3.100-102). Creon will not listen to his own prophet, Teiresias. Teiresias realizes that Creon’s wrong when he tries to burn an offering to the gods and the flame will not burn. He also hears birds fighting and these are signs the god’s are not happy with Creon’s choices. Teiresias tells Creon, “O my son, these are no trifles! Think: all men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong” (5.33-35). It will be too late by the time Creon realizes the mistakes he has made and he will lose his son and wife along with …show more content…
I have been rash and foolish.
I have killed my son and my wife.
I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead.
Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing.
Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust. (Exodos.142-146).
If only he had taken the time to reconsider his decisions or had the heart to forgive his son’s fiancé’s discrepancies, Antigone would not have killed herself, and his son and wife would be alive as well. Creon’s convictions and abundance of pride are not enough to save him in the end. Antigone is no match for him at the end of the day, despite her willingness to stand up for what she believes is right, Creon is just not willing to accept he may be wrong in time for it to matter. It is ironic that this play was written two thousand plus years ago and the core issues with Creon are still seen in reality today. At the end of the day, love does not always win. You will learn many more life lessons from Sophocles, then you ever would