Creon The Tragic Hero In SophoclesAntigone - 886 Words

â€Å"According to Aristotle, the function of tragedy is to arouse pity and fear in audience so that we may be purged or cleansed, of these unsettling emotions.† (â€Å"What is† 739) This â€Å"purging† is clearly effective in Sophocles’ Antigone which is about a young woman’s will to do what is right by the Gods. Also, according to Aristotle, â€Å"a tragedy can arouse twin emotions of pity and fear only if it presents a certain type of hero or heroine who is neither completely good nor completely bad† (â€Å"What is† 739). He or she must also be â€Å"highly renowned and prosperous,† have a tragic flaw, learn a lesson, and suffer greatly (â€Å"What is† 739). Therefore, in Antigone by Sophocles, Creon is the tragic hero because he is a king who has the tragic flaw of†¦show more content†¦On page 737, the last lines of the Choragos are, â€Å"There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but in subm ission to the gods. Big words are always punished, and proud men in old age learn to be wise.† While this quote can seem confusing, but the explanation is really simple. You cannot be happy unless you are intelligent, and arrogant men can only gain this happiness once they are mature enough. This rings true to Creon’s character arc throughout Antigone, he only loses his pride once he learns his lesson and lost everything. The final aspect that makes Creon a tragic hero is the fact that he suffers more greatly than he deserves. For example, not only does Creon’s son kill himself, but according to the messenger before Haimon commits suicide he, â€Å"Spat in (Creon’s) face. He said not a word, Staring / And suddenly drew his sword / And lunged. Crein shrank back, the blade missed†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Sophocles 734-735). Not only did Creon’s only son die, the last image of Haimon is him spitting in Creon’s face. The guilt Creon will have for the rest of his life will be tremendous, because he is going to feel responsible for leading his son to suicide. Not only does Haimon curse his father, Riddlemoser3 but Eurydice does as well. Once again, when the messenger reveals her death to Creon, he tells him that her last words were â€Å"A curse for their father, murderer of her sons (Sophocles 736). The messenger not onlyShow MoreRelatedCreon As A Tragic Hero In SophoclesAntigone1509 Words   |  7 PagesIn Poetics, Aristotle describes a tragic character as someone who experiences an error in judgement, experiences a reversal of fortune due to the error, has an excessive pride, and receives a fate much greater than what is deserved. In Sophocles’ Antigone, many would argue that Creon is the tragic hero of the play. However, he is not alone as the recipient of tragedy. A young woman by the name of Antigone also fits the characteristics for being considered a tragic heroine. A key element in the tragedy