Sophocles and Creon S Flaws
Tragic Hero
The Greek play, Antigone stresses the position of power and virtue against written law. Creon, in my opinion best qualifies for being the tragic hero. His actions, words, and the comments surrounding him prove that a man who is supplied for life could lose all of it.
His actions demonstrate him as a tragic hero. Creon’s belief in nationalism and leadership is demonstrated when he said: “I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly,” (Antigone, scene 1,24-26) When talking to his lawbreaking, niece Antigone, who buries her traitor brother, he says: “The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend with their necks at the pull of the smallest curb” (scene 2, 76-79) Unlike Antigone, Creon detects his fixable flaws before its too late and wants to change: “It is hard to deny the heart! But I will do it; I will not fight with destiny.” (scene 5, 100) To fix his flaws he must release Antigone from her prison by instructing her to hurriedly marry Haemen. She refuses and hangs herself which makes Creon’s flaws, pride and stubbornness, unforgivable. Because of the grief caused by her death Haemen commits suicide. Since her son died because of her husband’s actions Haemen’s mother, the queen kills herself. Actions speak louder than words.
Words spoken cannot be unspoken. Creon demands that the guards seize his son’s, Haemen’s, fiancé Antigone and her sister Ismene and take them away because they have broken the law. The law was that Polynieces would not be buried because he was perceived as a traitor to the crown after he fought for his rightful place as king, against his brother. Creon’s belief that the law should always be upheld is proven when he utters: “Bring her (Antigone) out!...Let her die before his eyes…” (scene 3,130). He urges Antigone to marry Haemen to release her from her prison however she refuses later hanging herself in her
The Greek play, Antigone stresses the position of power and virtue against written law. Creon, in my opinion best qualifies for being the tragic hero. His actions, words, and the comments surrounding him prove that a man who is supplied for life could lose all of it.
His actions demonstrate him as a tragic hero. Creon’s belief in nationalism and leadership is demonstrated when he said: “I call to God to witness that if I saw my country headed for ruin, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly,” (Antigone, scene 1,24-26) When talking to his lawbreaking, niece Antigone, who buries her traitor brother, he says: “The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend with their necks at the pull of the smallest curb” (scene 2, 76-79) Unlike Antigone, Creon detects his fixable flaws before its too late and wants to change: “It is hard to deny the heart! But I will do it; I will not fight with destiny.” (scene 5, 100) To fix his flaws he must release Antigone from her prison by instructing her to hurriedly marry Haemen. She refuses and hangs herself which makes Creon’s flaws, pride and stubbornness, unforgivable. Because of the grief caused by her death Haemen commits suicide. Since her son died because of her husband’s actions Haemen’s mother, the queen kills herself. Actions speak louder than words.
Words spoken cannot be unspoken. Creon demands that the guards seize his son’s, Haemen’s, fiancé Antigone and her sister Ismene and take them away because they have broken the law. The law was that Polynieces would not be buried because he was perceived as a traitor to the crown after he fought for his rightful place as king, against his brother. Creon’s belief that the law should always be upheld is proven when he utters: “Bring her (Antigone) out!...Let her die before his eyes…” (scene 3,130). He urges Antigone to marry Haemen to release her from her prison however she refuses later hanging herself in her