In Master Sophocles' Antigone, the question of who the tragic hero really is has been a subject of debate for a great number years. Creon does possess some of the qualities that constitute a tragic hero but unfortunately does not completely fit into the role. Antigone, however, possesses all the aspects of a tragic hero. These are, in no particular order, having a high social position, not being overly good or bad, being tenacious in their actions, arousing pity in the audience, a revelatory manifestation, and having a single flaw that brings about their own demise and the demise of others around them. Antigone possesses all of these traits therefore qualifying as the tragic hero.<br><br>The first qualifying aspect is that Antigone is of a high social standing in Thebes. Creon himself refers to her as a princess though she is technically no longer one. Because of her high standing she is capable of great suffering, in that she has a lot of fame and regard to lose. Those who say Creon is the tragic hero state say that Antigone is no longer in a high position in the society, therefore does not qualify on that account. If the character had needed to be in a high political position this would be true, but they need only have a great deal to lose in their downfall. Although she may no longer hold political power Antigone is still a powerful figure in Thebes, since she was to be married to Creon's son Haemon and the whole city seemed to know how tragic her life had become.<br><br>Antigone and Creon would qualify as the tragic hero if the only requirement was not being overly good or bad. Creon shows his negative side when he refuses to bury Polyneices and when he speaks to the sentry. His positive side is shown in his obvious affection for Antigone and Ismene, whom he has attempted to raise since their fathers death. Antigone's ungodly side is shown by her incestuous behavior with her brother Polyneices. Her positive side is shown by the way the she insists on respecting…
What would you do if one of your family members die but do not get that they need? Antigone’s brother polynecius died and he didn’t get the proper burial his body needed so Antigone was really mad and upset. While Creon causes suicides, and ignores Antigone. Creons pride is the right one to blame because he is against all gods, he ignores Antigone, and he also caused many suicides in the city.…
In Sophocles’s tragedy Antigone, and the family she has left their trust and the ability to function is on the line. The character named Antigone shows her bravery and loyalty by staying true to her words. Antigone defies the law to not bury Polyneices. Antigone gets herself and her sister, Ismene, into trouble with Creon. Ismene didn't like the idea of defining the decree Creon put out and left Antigone alone. Antigone is willing to go against a king to do what's right that shows loyalty to her family and shows she will give life for the greater good.…
Honestly, I have listened to David Foster Wallace’s speech prior to this assignment. But, was I truly listening the first time? I don’t think so, or rather it took time for me to discover the true intention of his presentation.…
Plato believes that education is the surest way to an ideal society. In today’s society education is atopic brought up in debates quite frequently because it is important that the youth are educated so they can fill in jobs and run the country when they are older. This does not mean everyone gets an education, for there are many countries where education can not be afforded or is not the best. Yet in today’s school system students are not treated for their full potential.…
Aristotle once said, “A man doesn’t become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” Sophocles’s Antigone was written in 440 B.C. which was the time when plays were written based on ancient Greece culture. The idea of a tragic hero was established in Ancient Greece, tragic heroes are in ancient Greek plays. A tragic hero is a character who is inherently good, has a fatal flaw and loses everything in the end. Creon is Antigone’s tragic hero because his loyalty and obsessive pride influence the conflicts that led to his family’s demise.…
In Sophocles’ play Antigone, he creates two tragic characters. A tragic character is someone who experience’s unfortunate events that led to his or her own destruction. Antigone is a character who is Headstrong she will do anything for her family dead or alive. She is willing to go through anything and suffer the consequences ahead.…
Violence, greed, and suffering are all great examples of power being abused negatively. When someone has power, they have the decision to either use that power in a positive or negative way. Sadly, some people decide to use their power in a negative way that affects others. Power can have a negative effect on others by using fear and manipulation.…
He rushed to the vault to free Antigone of the imprisonment he placed upon her himself, little did Creon know, it was too late. With a swing of the door, death looked upon his face. There lay Antigone, sulking in her own bereavement, she hung herself. To Creon’s dismay, he was forced to come to the reality that he let his own selfish egotism destroy not only his life, but the lives of many others. Even with warning, this man still went on with his nose in the air doubting anyone’s reasoning but his own, he believed what he says was best so what he decided asking went, in reality, his cognitive thinking only lead to tragedy. The story Antigone by Sophocles, exemplifies the moral that human pride can be vicious and destructive.…
In present day (2017) Antigone, Ismene, Polynices, and Eteocles work for Creon. Antigone is a maid, Polyneices is a housekeeper, and Eteocles is a chef. While they were working for Creon Antigone fell in love with Creon’s son haemon they were planning to get married. While that was going on the two brothers Polyneices and Eteocles overheard that on of them are going to be fired and Polynices was worried that he was going to be fired since his brother was the chef and he was just a housekeeper. So Polynices went against his brother and everyone in the house so when Polynices fought his brother they both killed each other. Since Creon was a really powerful man he made it so that Polynices couldn't get buried. Antigone got mad and disobeyed Creon so she tried to leave but then Creon locked her up in the basement of his mansion. Haemon Creon’s son who Antigone fell in love with disagreed but didn’t know how to tell his dad Creon. Creon went to go talk to his physic which he calls the prophet.…
It is prevalent that citizens around the world feel the need to follow their moral compass rather than the laws their state administers. When faced with a certain dilemma that causes any citizen to choose between following his moral conscience or following the rules mandated by the state, he is prone to following the law out of fear of the consequences if he chooses not to comply. However, there are those who prove to be an exception to this assumption, those who rebel against the state due to the moral and ethical considerations man has. Greek philosopher Sophocles conveys this trait of rebellion due to morality in Antigone through the protagonist Antigone and Plato discusses the same trait by referring to Plato, both whom serve as the primary example of wrestling with civil disobedience.…
Morality is concerned with the theory of right and wrong characteristics or good and bad behaviors; its role can shape an individual’s personality which can affect his or her call of action. It is only natural that we should have some kind of moral laws since our experiences are dwelled from our sense of duty and physical forces. It’s an aspect in humanity which helps them make rational decisions and it also serves as guidance for mere goodness. Our existence defines who we are as an individual because of our values that help us see past our wrongdoing and helps improve our future. This can be seen in Sophocles’ story of “Antigone,” Antigone’s character portrays a strong individual who is loyal and values her family more than the society. This tragic heroic story demonstrates the…
The third of the three Theban plays, known as Antigone, written by Sophocles is a great tragedy with characters who each have distinct personality traits, morals, and flaws; one being Haemon who possesses many. Haemon, the son of Creon and spouse-to-be to Antigone, has absolute loyalty towards Antigone and the people of Thebes, respect for his father’s decisions initially, and rashness which leads to a shattering ending. Haemon helps protect Antigone by speaking on her behalf to his father, the King, vindicating how “of all women here she’s least deserves the worst of deaths for her most glorious act. When in the slaughter her own brother died, she did not just leave him there unburied, to be ripped apart by carrion dogs or birds. Surely she deserves some golden honour?”(Sophocles ). This shows how he defends the moral basis of Antigone's actions while warning his father that the people of Thebes sympathize with her determination to bury Polyneices. Haemon’s devotion to Antigone is represented as a dog face structure of the mask, showing his faithfulness because dogs exhibit to be extremely loyal to their owners. When Creon asks Haemon whether he still has his full support, Haemon replies “Father, I am yours; with your excellent judgment you lay the right before me, and I shall follow it. No marriage will ever be so valued by me as to override the goodness of your leadership” (Sophocles ). Even though his father, Creon, is going to kill Antigone for her actions, he still respects his decision formerly. Another symbol, to express respect is a handshake icon, with one hand having a crown, on the masks side of the face to show Haemon’s regard for Creon as the king. After a previous antagonistic disagreement with his father, before he kills himself, Haemon spits in his father’s face and “drew his cross-hilted sword and thrust it at [himself]” (Sophocles ).…
A woman executed for burying her brother’s body. Thousands of citizens denied the right to vote because of the complexion of their skin. Millions of men, women, and children tortured and murdered due to their beliefs. Strong and powerful governments should not tolerate this complete absence of human rights. Civilians deserve the right to oppose a prideful or biased leader’s ideas if they contradict their beliefs.…
After Oedipus, the king of Thebes becomes exiled; his two sons Polynices and Eteocles become the joint rulers of Thebes. After both brothers argued over whom deserved the right to become the king, they decided to duel for the throne. Because of this dual, both brothers killed each other and now the question is who should rightfully become the next in throne. Antigone, by Sophocles was a story about a young woman, Antigone, who betrays her own uncle, Creon, to bury her brother. After reading this short play, I believe that Antigone was right to bury her own brother’s body.…