Antigone Hero Or Fool Essay - 842 Words

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In Greek literature, a tragic hero is based upon an individual having several of the following qualities: having a high social position in society; not being overly good or bad; being persistant or stubborn in their actions; having a single flaw that brings about their own death and the death of others; and obtaining pity from the audience. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Antigone was a prime example of a Greek tragic hero. Antigone, being the daughter of Oedipus, obtained a high social standing in Thebes. Prior to his self-exile from Thebes, Oedipus was the citys king. Because of her high standing in society, Antigone was capable of great suffering, in that she had a reputation and a vast amount of respect†¦show more content†¦The first such display is her decision to take matters into her own hands and bury her brother Polyneices. Creon finds out about the burial and in order to have credibilty with the citizens of Thebes he must follow through with the punishment as set forth in his proclamation. Antigone and her sister Ismene are placed in a cave and heavily guarded. They faced quot;stoning to death in the public square.quot; (Prologue, line 25). Antigones second display of headstrong behavior is when she decides to kill herself in the cave, therefore robbing Creon of the satisfaction of completing this deed. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;All of Thebes sympathizes with Antigone because not only has she lost her mother, father, and two brothers, but also her one act, has sentenced her sister Ismene and herself to death. The king is made aware of the sympathy Antigone is receiving from his son Haemon. quot;And I have heard them muttering and whispering in the dark about this girl. They say no woman has ever so unreasonably, died so shameful a death for a generous act.quot; (Ode II, scene III, line 65-67). It is here that we must look back at the quality posessed by a tragic hero in Greek literature, the main one in this play being: having a single flaw that brings about their own death and the death of others. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Antigones decision to bury Polyneices isShow MoreRelated Antigone the Tragic Hero Essay929 Words   |  4 PagesA Tragic Hero A tragic hero is a character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw, which combined with fate, results into a tragedy. The tragic hero must fall from good luck and well being to misery and misfortune. The tragic hero causes a sense of pity through the tragic downfall that weakens the character. In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone follows her own beliefs by giving her brother a proper burial, even if she has to break the law of King Creon. Because of her innocentRead MoreEssay on Creon As The Tragic Hero In Antigone602 Words   |  3 PagesSophocles’ Antigone is, without a doubt, one of the greatest tragedies ever written. 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