The Tragic Hero of Antigone

Essay # 6401

Literature > Greek and Roman

An examination of who the real tragic hero is, as described by Aristotle in Sophocles's "Antigone".

725 words () | 0 sources | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

The writer shows that despite the fact that the play is named after Antigone, Creon is the real tragic hero of the play. The paper provides a character sketch which shows how he fits the description better than Antigone.

From the Paper:

"Aristotle defined tragedy as the arousal of pity and fear. According to him, only a character that is called the tragic hero or heroine can cause the audience to feel these emotions. The tragic hero or heroine must be neither completely good or completely bad. This character starts living a prosperous life and experiences a downfall caused by a tragic flaw, or a significant weakness, they possess. Toward the end of the play, the hero or heroine begins to recognize this weakness, and is humbled. This character makes the audience feel pity, for they are flawed like all humans are. The audience relates to them, and feels they shouldn't be punished as they are, and fears it could happen to them. In Sophocles's tragedy, Antigone, Antigone showed many characteristics of the tragic heroine, however, Creon was the true tragic hero of the play."