The Morality Of Antigone As A Tragic Hero

Register to read the introduction… She is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta who were the former king and queen of Thebes and the niece of Creon who is now the king. Creon calls Antigone as a princess even though she is no longer a princess. She has earned a lot of reputation and respect to lose, only because of her high status. People who consider Creon as a tragic hero state that Antigone no longer has a high status in Thebes after her father’s death, so she is not eligible to have a high social position. Although she does not have any social or political power, Antigone is still an influential person in Thebes. The whole city knows that Antigone is going to marry the king’s son, Haemon, and after she is sentenced to death, the city of Thebes knew how tragic her life has become.

Antigone qualifies as a tragic hero because she is not entirely good or bad. Antigone’s negative side is shown when she broke the king’s decree and went to bury Polyneices. Her positive side is seen when she claims Polyneices’s right to be buried in a religious way so that his soul can rest in serenity in the eternal life. Antigone also shows her optimistic side when she tries to defend Ismene after Creons’ guard caught her. In scene 2, Antigone said, “No share in work, …show more content…
The city of Thebes empathizes Antigone, particularly once she has been sentenced to death. In scene 3, Haemon tells his father, Creon, "And I have heard them, muttering and whispering. They say no woman has ever, so unreasonably, died so shameful a death for a generous act." It is obvious that everyone in Thebes except Creon feels pity for Antigone. Creon, however, does not earn empathy from others except for the chorus, who always has the same opinion as Creon. Some might agree with Creon's actions, but the entire city is against his opinion, and that makes Antigone a tragic