Philip Zimbardo's Audacious Antigone: An Unlikely Hero

Audacious Antigone: An Unlikely Hero Countless forms of storytelling make us question what a hero is. Films, video games, novels, and other modes of writing, let us answer for ourselves; every hero in every story is varied and can make us realize the answers lie within a gray area. Often heroes are quintessential saviors, while in other instances they take the form of the ever popular antihero with questionable motivations. Those motivations greatly inform and alter the hero’s narrative. Infamous psychologist Philip Zimbardo has done extensive research on heroism and he wrote an article that aims to answer the question its title asks - “What Makes a Hero?” In the article, Zimbardo claims, “The key to heroism is a concern for other people in
One more of Zimbardo’s heroic beliefs says that heroic actions are “performed without external gain anticipated at the time of the act performed without external gain anticipated at the time of the act.” One can surmise that when Antigone was in the process of honoring and burying her brother her mind was free of thoughts surrounding any type of prize. When one imagines themselves in her situation, it is easy to see that she was simply performing the task at hand in the swiftest and most respectful manner possible. During her interrogation by Creon, Antigone says, “But where could I gain greater glory / than setting my own brother in his grave? All those here would confirm this pleases them / if their lips weren’t sealed by fear” (570-573). Antigone knows she and her family are destined for tragedy but she manages to retain a sense of dignity and takes pride in the honorific action she took. Furthermore, she perceives that the Theban people, though they cannot admit it outright, support what she did. This is proven when Antigone is led to her tomb and the Chorus states, “Surely you carry fame with you and praise, / as you move to the deep home of the dead… You were in charge of your own fate” (924-928). Antigone had a prideful moment and now the people of Thebes are singing her praise, urging her to recognize that she has in fact gained praise. Additionally, they note she was the owner of her fate. Sophocles’ three Theban plays are full of prophesies by way of the blind prophet, Tiresias, and can make one question whether any of the characters’ decisions are their own. Whether by fate or her own volition, Antigone nonetheless decides to perform burial rights for her brother because she simply believes it to be just, and she gains the respect of the Theban people - and likely that of the