Character Analysis

Many Greek dramas include the concept of the tragic hero and Sophocles chooses to include this element in Antigone. Some may say that Antigone is the tragic hero, after all, the play is named after her, but based on the information given in the play, Creon is more suitable as the tragic hero by the Aristotelian definition. Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero states that the tragic hero is a character of "noble stature and has greatness,..he/she is not perfect,...[and] the hero's downfall [is] partially his/her own fault." Based on the text, Creon is more suitable to be the tragic hero. It's shown at the beginning of the play, that Creon is a regent and he has more power over Antigone and the people of Thebes.

As part of the definition of a tragic hero, the character must be of high ranking and Creon, who is "next in blood, [has] succeeded to the full power of the throne," (Sc. 1 L 19-20) because the true heirs, the sons of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polyneices, killed each other. Creon takes the power so seriously that it later develops into hamartia. Hamartia is usually defined as a tragic flaw. With the excess power that Creon has, he begins to abuse it and this is one of his flaws. As the king of Thebes, Creon has to make sure that all laws are followed and that the ones who disobey will be punished. To prove that Creon is a man of his words, Creon has to punish Antigone who disobeys the law and buries her dead brother, Polyneices. Polyneices is seen as the traitor of Thebes because he fought against his own city. Creon has to punish Antigone but he uses his power to demand others to commit the sinful acts, "you know your orders: take her to the vault/And leave her alone there. And if she lives or dies,/That's her affair, not ours: our hands are clean." (Sc. 4 L 55-57) By definition, Creon clearly shows the better suited characteristics of being the tragic hero.