Creon Tragic Hero Essay

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According to Aristotle, a tragic hero is defined as “a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction.” At first thought, many readers would identify Antigone as the tragic hero. One thing these individuals do not realize is that she does not express anagnorisis, and therefore, cannot be identified as a truly tragic hero. There is only one character in this play who fulfills all these requirements, and his name is Creon. In the beginning of Antigone, many see Creon as the evil king of Thebes. Creon fears the rebellion of the people, and therefore comes across as a strict ruler. He issues an edict stating that the body of Polyneices will not be buried, and anyone who breaks this law will be sentenced to death. In this edict Creon also declares “if someone rules an entire city and does not take hold of the best counsels, but holds his tongue out of fear, I think hime to be the worst of men, now and always” (lines 179-182). Despite all his flaws, we do notice a common…show more content…
It is here that this prideful king realizes where his action have led. At this point, Haemon has found his fiancé, Antigone, hanging by a noose. Out of heartbreak and desperation, he then plunges his sword into his chest. When returning home, the king receives news that his wife has also committed suicide. Creon is overwhelmed with guilt and cries out “Woe is me, these things will never fall on another person so as to exonerate me, for I killed you, O unhappy I, I claim it truly. Servants take me away right now, take me out of the way. I don’t exist anymore, I am no one” (lines 1323-1328). He then continues talking to the chorus, pleading “Go,go- let it appear, that most beautiful of all fates, the one bringing me my last day, the very best fate! Go, go- so that I may never look upon another day” (lines 1342-1347). Creon truly shows remorse, and accepts the fate his actions have bestowed upon
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