Post #8 - Tragic Hero of Antigone

Who is the tragic hero in Antigone? (Post #8)

The tragic hero in Antigone is King Creon . By definition, a tragic hero is a character that either makes an error in judgment or has a fatal flaw that combined with fate brings on tragedy.

In the beginning of the story, the audience is introduced to Antigone. Antigone wants to bury her dead brother, Polynices. However, Antigone’s sister, Ismene, tries to convince Antigone to avoid burying Polynices because King Creon does not want him buried. Antigone ignores King Creon’s orders and decides to bury Polynices anyway.

Later on, a guard tells King Creon that someone has buried Polynices. King Creon orders the guard to bring back to him whomever it was that disobeyed his orders. The guard shortly after brings to King Creon Antigone.

King Creon asks Antigone if she indeed buried Polynices and she admits that she did. Polynices explains that "not through fear of any man's resolve was I prepared before the Gods to bear the penalty of sinning against these. But, if I had left my mother's son unburied on his death, I should have given them pain. But as things are, I feel none."

Later on, Ismene also comes before King Creon. Ismene admits to King Creon that she also was involved in the burial of Polynices. However, Antigone protects her sister and denies this revelation. After, Ismene begs King Creon to not punish and kill Antigone for her choice to bury Polynices. However, King Creon refuses this. Ismene asks King Creon, “How could I, apart from her, endure to live?”. King Creon replies, “Speak not of her. She stands no longer here.” Then, Ismene begs King Creon to spare Antigone for the sake of his son, Haemon, who is engaged to Antigone.  Again, King Creon denies her plea by responding that “wives that are vile I love not for my son” and “ ‘tis death who breaks the marriage contract off”. Antigone and Ismene are taken away from King Creon after.

Some time later, Haemon comes before King Creon. Haemon, who loves Antigone, also begs King Creon to not kill her. King Creon refuses once again and tells him that “of this be sure, though shalt not wed her in the land of life.” Haemon warns her that her death will slay “another than herself” (hinting that he will die also if she dies). King Creon still does not change his decision.

After, a prophet named Teiresias speaks to King Creon. Teiresias tells him that if he goes through with killing Antigone, Haemon will die also. King Creon decides to finally spare Antigone and bury Polynices.

However, his choice is made too late. Antigone has already committed suicide. In response to her death, Haemon and his wife, Eurydice, have also killed themselves. King Creon is devastated and heartbroken over everyone’s deaths due to his poor decisions. He vows nothing else but to die.

King Creon is the tragic hero because his errors in judgment, combined with fate, lead to tragedy. His errors in judgment are denying Ismene’s and Haemon’s requests to spare Antigone for burying Polynices. As a result, a great tragedy results. This great tragedy is not only the deaths of Antigone, Haemon and Eurydice but also King Creon’s heartbreak, which causes him to want death for himself.