1. Creon As A Tragic Hero
As people, we each have characteristics that define who we are as an individual. While no one is perfect, flaws can lead to one's downfall. Often,
this is seen in many characters in literature. They demonstrate this type of downfall. In the Greek Tragedy, Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon suffers a
series of unfortunate events because of his imperfections that lead to his downfall. In order to prove himself as a worthy and strong leader, Creon
creates a law that goes against the state's morality and refuses to listen to reason. The downfall is important to the work as a whole because it shows
how Creom is a tragic hero and his actions reinforces the theme.
Antigone takes place in the state of Thebes in Ancient Greece. Two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, were in war over the throne they were
supposed to share. Polyneices brought a foreign army and this battle caused them both to perish on the battlefield. To fill the throne, Creon
assumes power as king and felt as if he needed to prove himself as an ethical leader. He gave the state an edict that outlaws the burial of Polyneices.
However, the Gods do not approve of the law since it defies their unwritten laws. Antigone, the sister of Polyneices, is rebellious to the law because
she knows it is wrong in the eyes of the Gods. Her defiance, especially as a woman, challenges Creon's self esteem and sets him off on a tirade of
irrational behavior.
Enraged by Polyneices' burial, Creon damns anyone he suspects broke his law. He
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
2. Essay about Creon the Tragic Hero
In the play Antigone by Sophocles,one could easily be lead to believe Antigone is the the tragic hero when in fact a strong case can be made that
Creon, the king of Thebes, is actually the tragic hero. In believing that Creon is the tragic hero it would seem practical to call the play Creon rather
than Antigone. On the other hand, naming the play Antigone gives the play a twist that leads the audience into a dynamically tragic journey through
the lives of a prestigious royal family and it gives birth to thoughts of politics, religious beliefs, social roles and moral obligations. A definition of a "
tragic hero" is, "a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering,or defeat."tragic hero"...show more content...
The Burial At Thebes a version of Sophocles' Antigone), Creon's tragic flaw happens when Antigone, his niece, disobeyed his command by
sprinkling dust on her brothers body to give him a proper burial. Antigone believed that the laws of the Gods was higher than the king's orders. It is
said in The Burial of Polynecies,that"Creon's fatal test comes when Antigone is set before him as the violator of his edict. He must choose between
that edict and the life of his niece"(S.M. Adams The Classical Review. Vol. 45, No. 3; pp. 110
â111). Creon has three main behaviors that cause him to
be the tragic hero. First he favors civic laws over the love of his family. Second, his pride overcomes his rational decision making process because he
does not want to be defeated by a women, even his niece. According to Teaching politics using Antigone "creaon has the inability to learn how to gain
power. Creon comes to office throuigh the rather dubious claim of being the only male in the family who has not either killed his father and slept with
his mother(or been killed by) his brother recently." Creon must earn the respect of the people. He must, in weberian terms, earn the monopoly of
legitimate authority over the instruments of the state" (Teaching Politics using Antigone.vol.39, No. 2; pp.347â349). Creon suppresses the people of
Thebes by keeping the town people from speaking out on the law of the gods for fear that they may be killed. By banning Polyneices from not
havining an
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
3. Creon Tragic Hero
According to Aristotle, a tragic hero can be defined as a "literary character who makes a judgement error that inevitably leads to his or her own
destruction." Aristotle uses ideas such as the anagnorisis, peripeteia, hamartia and hubris to define a hero as a tragic hero. The author, Sophocles,
creates Creon to be the leader of the town of Thebes in the play Antigone, after Oedipus. His niece, Antigone is also a main character in such a way that
makes her a hero but not quite a tragic hero. Creon is the wellâknown character who begins as the leader and eventually becomes the true tragic hero.
In the play Antigone, the tragic hero is Creon due to his pride, nobility and realization that leads to a tragic outcome. One of Creon's characteristics
in Antigone includes pride which helps to define him as a tragic hero. Reaching the end of the play, Teiresias has a discussion with Creon about how
"all men make mistakes" except a hero, who "yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil." Teiresias finally...show more content...
A tragic hero is often someone who is very wellâknown and honored by many people. After Creon announces his laws as king, he states "you will give
no support to whoever breaks this law" (198). Creon makes his role as the king of Thebes clear and seems to believe that no one should disobey
him. This suggests his authority over the city and shows the honor that has been given to him. Also, during a discussion between Creon and
Teiresias, Creon tells Teiresias "you forget yourself! You are speaking to your King." Teiresias replies with "I know it. You are a king because of
me" (233). Creon's pride also interferes with his understanding of other's because he demands control of the city so much that he even if he rules
unfairly that everyone still has to show respect towards him. Nobility as one of Creon's characteristics provides an added reason to show that he truly
is a tragic
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
4. Creon, the Tragic Hero Essay
In the story of Antigone, an argument of who is the tragic hero between Antigone and Creon exists. I firmly believe Creon is the tragic hero of the
play. Creon becomes the typical fallen hero in Greek drama. He faces many conflicts, internally and externally, and undergoes quite a bit of painful
emotions. One might say Antigone should receive the title of being the tragic hero, but Creon plays a more significant role by learning his lesson the
hard way and ending up as the classic tragic hero who loses everything at the end of the dramatic play.
There has always been much controversy between who the tragic hero is in the play. A tragic hero is a literary character who makes an error of
judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with...show more content...
Through this quote the reader realizes that Creon wants obedience in everything he decides even if he is at fault. Creon gives the impression that he
feels that there is nothing worse than disobedience to authority, even if the authority is wrong. This further supports Creon's belief that everyone shall
remain faithful to him even if he rules unfairly.
Creon has forgotten that the ruler is supposed to do what is best for the city and its citizens. "Creon is under the impression that he is always correct in
his judgments and his beliefs," (Graves 46). Before the sentry even explains the event that has occurred, the sentry states that he is only a messenger
and has not committed the crime, Creon still accuses the sentry of receiving money to do the crime and threatens to punish him. Consequently, the
Chorus suggests that the Gods may have committed the act. Creon stops this "nonsense" conversation immediately and remarks that Zeus and the
Gods would not honor criminals. This shows how Creon is able to make accusations against any person and punish them without rhyme or reason,
knowing in his mind that he is correct. It also shows that Creon is quick to shut out, or brush off, those who may disobey his power of authority in the
city.
Creon seems to believe he knows everything and stubbornly refuses to listen to others. He does not even believe Haemon, his son. Haemon informs his
father of the reputation he has
Get more content on HelpWriting.net