In 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, having a high social position, not being overly good or bad, being persistent 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.

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 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.

Antigone's choice to bury Polyneices is what the play revolves around. Her impetuous personality and incestuous love drives her to disregard the will of the struggling King Creon and bury her brother. The consequences of her actions cause the demise of not only herself, but Creon's son and her groom to be Haemon, who kills himself once he hears of her death.

As far as the issue of arising pity in the audience and in other characters, it is clear that Antigone clearly wins over Creon in the arena of intensity of emotion. All of Thebes sympathizes with Antigone, especially after she has been sentenced to death. Haemon himself tells his father "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"(Scene 3. 61-4). It is obvious that she had the pity of the entire city except for Creon. Creon, however, is not sympathized with at all except for the chorus, which always agrees with the last point of view presented. Some readers may be inclined to side with him, but the entire city is opposed to him during the play disqualifying him as the tragic hero.

As far as the issue of arising pity in the audience and in other characters, it is clear that Antigone clearly wins over Creon in the arena of intensity of emotion. All of Thebes sympathizes with Antigone, especially after she has been sentenced to death. Haemon himself tells his father "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"(Scene 3. 61-4). It is obvious that she had the pity of the entire city except for Creon. Creon, however, is not sympathized with at all except for the chorus, which always agrees with the last point of view presented. Some readers may be inclined to side with him, but the entire city is opposed to him during the play disqualifying him as the tragic hero.

In closing, upon a close analyses of the play Antigone, the tragic hero would have to be Antigone herself, since she has all the aspects that a tragic hero must have. Having a high social position, not being overly good or bad, being persistent 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. Creon does not have perseverance, arousal of pity from characters and audience, and a single flaw which brings about the demise of himself and everyone around him. Although Creon closely resembles what a tragic hero must be, it is clear that Antigone is the tragic hero in Sophocles' Antigone.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Antigone Polyneices, King Creon, Creon Creon, Antigone Creon, Sophocles' Antigone, Thebes Creon, Ismene Antigone's, tragic hero, flaw brings, play antigone, tragic hero antigone, bury polyneices, revelatory manifestation, single flaw, pity audience, hero antigone, demise demise, overly bad, single flaw brings, position overly bad, actions arousing pity, bad persistent actions, Antigone Sophocles', Antigone Ismene,
Approximate Word count = 2076
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)