"Antigone" was a prime example of a Greek tragic hero. "Antigone", being the daughter of Oedipus, obtained a high social standing in Thebes. Prior to his self-exile from Thebes, Oedipus was the city's king. Because of her high standing in society, "Antigone" was capable of great suffering, in that she had a reputation and a vast amount of respect to lose.

"Antigone's" good side is demonstrated by her insistence on respecting her brother Polyneices' right to be buried in the religious tradition of Greece. The Greeks believed that it was of most importance to bury a person who died in battle so that their soul may continue on in the after life. "Antigone" is willing to risk her own life so that Polyneices can have to proper burial that she so strongly feels he deserved; "but I will bury him: and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down with him

"And suddenly drew his sword and lunged. Creon shrank back, the blade missed; and the boy, desperate against himself, drove it half its length into his own side and fell. And as he died he gathered Antigone close in his arms again, choking, his blood bright red on her white cheek. And now he lies dead with the dead and she is his at last, his bride in the houses of the dead." (Exodus, lines 80-88)

Having a fatal flaw is one of the characteristics of a Greek tragic hero. "Antigone's" fatal flaw is her rash and headstrong behavior. "Like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf to reason!" (Ode I, Scene II, line 85) Her headstrong behavior is displayed twice in the play. The first such display is her decision to take matters into her own hands and bury her brother Polyneices. Creon finds out about the burial and in order to have credibility with the citizens of Thebes he must follow through with the punishment as set forth in his proclamation. "Antigone" and her sister Ismene are placed in a cave and heavily guarded. They faced "stoning to death in the public square." (Prologue, line 25). "Antigone's" second display of headstrong behavior is when she decides to kill herself in the cave, therefore r

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 815
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)