Antigone :: essays research papers

The debate over who is the tragic hero in Antigonecontinue on to this day. The belief that Antigone is the herois a strong one. There are umteen critics who recollect,however, that Creon, the Ruler of Thebes, is the trueprotagonist. I have made my own judgments also, based onwhat I have researched of this work by Sophocles. Antigoneis widely thought of as the tragic hero of the play bearing her pattern. She would seem to fit the part in light of the fact thatshe dies in doing what is right. She buries her palwithout worrying what might carry on to her. She "Takes intoconsideration death and the reality that may be beyonddeath" (Hathorn 59). Those who do believe that Antigonewas meant to be the true tragic hero argue against otherswho believe that Creon deserves that honor. They say thatthe Gods were against Creon, and that he did not truly lovehis country. "His patriotism is to narrow and negative and hisconception of justice is too exclusive... to be dignified by th ename of love for the state" (Hathorn 59). These arguments,and many others, make many people believe the Antigone isthe rightful protagonist. Many critics argue that Creon is thetragic hero of Antigone. They say that his noble tint is hiscaring for Antigone and Ismene when thier father waspersecuted. Those who stand behind Creon also argue thatAntigone never had a true epiphany, a key element in beinga tragic hero. Creon, on the other hand, realized his mistakewhen Teiresias made his prophecy. He is forced to live,knowing that three people are dead because of hisignorance, which is a penalty worse than death. Myopinion on this debate is that Antigone is the tragic hero. Shetries to help her brother without worrying about what willhappen to her. She says, "I intend to give my brother burial.Ill be glad to die in the attempt, -if its a crime, then its acrime that God commands" (Sophocles 4). She was alsopunished for doing what was right. Her epiphany came,hidden from the audience, before she hung herself. Creons"nobleness" of taking in young Antigone and Ismene isovershadowed by his egotistical nature. He will not allowjustice to come about simply because he wants to protect hisimage. He says, "If she gets by with this behavior, call mea woman and call her a man" (Sophocles 13). Theseelements prove that Antigone is the tragic hero. Creon,understanding his ignorance may lead one to believe that he