The True Hero in Antigone

A detailed Summary of The True Hero in Antigone


Like all works of tragedy, Sophocle's Antigone is written surrounding the life of a tragic hero. A "tragic hero" holds similar characteristics in all works of tragedy. It can be defined as a character who was born a noble birth, suffered a tragic flaw or hamartia, and over the course of time has had a tragic realization and come to understand his or her harmatia. It is clear by the title of this play that the audience is to believe that Antigone will represent the tragic hero. However, it can be greatly debated that Creon, king of Thebes, is the true protagonist and tragic hero for Sophocle's play.

Superficially, Antigone can be seen as the tragic hero of this play. She definitely fits the characteristics of a noble woman, being that she was the daughter of the late king Oedipus. Her tragic flaw could be viewed that she does not fit into her role in society. Within the first few pages of the play her sister lets the audience know the true role of women in that time period. Ismene cautiously points out that Antigone is not acting among her appropriate status in society as a second class citizen to the male race. She more directly says, "You ought to realize


we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men, and that we are ruled, by those who are stronger... (71-73)" Antigone can be viewed as a strong character, although her unwillingness to listen to reason may be the audience's initial belief that this is her tragic flaw.

Even later in the play when she is confessing her actions to Creon, she openly admits that his requests for the nonexistent burial of her brother did not affect her decision. She goes on to defy Creon and degrade him by saying, "I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God's ordinances...(496-499)" Antigone shows her flaw to an extreme extent when she says this, defying the king to his face. Not only did she make the mistake of challenging the king, but as a woman, she was overstepping her boundaries.

Under the surface of the play, and despite the title, Antigone does not make the best tragic hero in the play. Her supposed tragic flaw of not knowing her role in society could be viewed as a strong personality trait. Showing her courageousness and ability to stick to what she believes in. She doesn't just talk about giving

Some common words found in the essay are:
Superficially Antigone, Sophocle's Antigone, Antigone Ismene, Antigone Creon, tragic hero, tragic flaw, hero play, tragic hero play, , seen tragic, definitely fits, tragic realization, viewed strong, role society, true tragic,

Approximate Word count = 791
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Foreign

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