Motivations In Antigone

Throughout the story, both Antigone and Creon are symbols of the theme of pride and power that is shown throughout the story. In Antigone, the theme of pride affects the plot because if Creon was self-less rather than being prideful, he would have understood Antigone’s following of the unwritten laws and accept her feelings, which would prevent her suicide. In conclusion, while there are multiple themes that appear throughout the play, pride and power are both the most

Throughout the main confrontation between Antigone and Creon, the chorus starts to call on a mythical perspective, how what is happening or going to happen can be related to the past issues of this family “That family is going to feel the blow, generation after generation”. The chorus here start to outline who is at fault blaming Antigone, as well as the family, initially“ A defiant spirit, The fury and backlash of overbearing words”. Then continue on to Creon “ The man obsessed is a cock of the walk in a hurry towards the worst”

“Tell me briefly—not in some lengthy speech— were you aware there was a proclamation forbidding what you did?” (503-505). The actions, context of Antigone’s words, and also the ideas she proposed, very indepthly contrasted with Creon’s character. Thus resulting in there being a verbal confrontation between the two characters. The conflict between the two caused conflicting motivations such as stubbornness, disrespect, and anger to be projected with Creon’s character. Ultimately, these conflicting motivations develop Creon as a tragic hero by portraying that he knew, the decisions he made were of error, and the character interactions advance the plot by causing conflict throughout the play. Creon had also begun to change throughout the play,

Creon's arrogance is a way to protect his pride and reputation of power and nobility, but this flaw of his will cause his own destruction. In Sophocles’ Antigone, “that's the reason why you’ve steered the city on it's proper course” (line 1104-1105, part 6). In this quote the prophet of the city, Tiresias, is telling Creon that because of his misjudgment, which is caused by his stubbornness and self-pride, he has given Thebes a reason to come together as a community and protest for justice. Therefore, Creon's tragic flaws started to have it's

One could argue that Antigone is the tragic hero of the play. Creon creates a strict law that Polyneices should not be

“You there you with your face bent down towards the ground, what do you say? Do you deny you did this or admit it.” -Creon “I admit I did it. I won’t deny that.” -Antigone (Line(s) 498-500) Antigone’s words, actions and ideas contrast with Creon’s character to the point of these two characters having conflicting motivations. These conflicting motivations cause the characteristics of Antigone, Teiresias and Haemon to be highlighted within Creon’s character. In the end, these conflicting motivations develop Creon as a tragic hero by his flaws, hubris causes his downfall. He will not listen to anyone, he’s stubborn and his pride is too great, and the character interactions advance the plot when Creon sentences Antigone to death, after she’s sent off, he later realizes she didn’t deserve that but when he realized it then it was already too late.

He comes to the realization that he is flawed and has made an unjust and rigid ruling. He responds to Teiresias' guiding lecture with "That is true...It troubles me. Oh it is hard to give in but it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride." Creon scene 5. He attempts to correct his judgements but instead discovers the suicidal deaths of his niece, son, and wife, all stemming from his decision to kill Antigone for the breaking of his irrational law. His son warns him that he will not go on living without his fiancé, but he does not listen to his pleading. It takes him too long to discover his tragic flaw and his reversal of fortune comes into play. He says that Antigone's death would "...give me everything" but in the end he has nothing. Creon goes from becoming a newly appointed king to the only surviving member of his family.

The play, Antigone, written by Sophocles shows the different downfalls of characters. One of these characters is Creon. Creon does not realize that his pride and stubbornness has interfered his ability to deal with problems and rule of Thebes properly. By analyzing Creon, one could see that he is considered a tragic hero in this play. The characteristics a person must have to be a tragic hero is he has “a hamartia, or tragic flaw. More often than not that tragic flaw is excessive pride, or a hubris. The character then goes through a peripeteia, which is a twist where the character realizes that things will not turn out the way he expected. Finally, the character has an anagnorisis, which is their epiphany that makes them realize their hamartia” (Cap, Creon as a Tragic Character in “Antigone”). The tragic hero characteristics in Creon are clearly shown when he speaks with blind prophet, Teiresias. The character interaction between Creon and Teiresias helps develop Creon as a tragic hero in Antigone.

Since the beginning of the story, Creon is described as a ruthless king who values obedience over all. The major conflict arises when Creon refuses to bury Antigone's brother, Polynices, because Creon doesn't believe in “[revering] Gods who honor evil men.” Creon's

The second reason why Creon is a tragic hero, because of his inescapable fate. Creon has more than one inescapable fate, the curse from the gods and the killing of his dad to marry his mother. The curse of the god as we have previously reviewed, was brought up on him after Teiresias gives Creon word that his refusal to bury Polynices and punishment of Antigone, will result in the curses of the gods brought down on Thebes. This was one inescapable fate Creon did in fact bring upon himself. We see the prophecy come to pass confirmed by the Chorus leader stating “Tiresias, how your words have proven true” (Antigone line 1310). The chorus leader proceeded to say “Here comes the king in person carrying.. A clear reminder that this evil comes not from some stranger, but from his own mistakes” (Antigone line 1402).

In Sophocles’ play Antigone, Creon embodies the three traits of a tragic hero. Creon is good and portrays this by doing everything he can for the people of Thebes. He is shown to be lifelike though his stubbornness and arrogance. Creon is also consistent in accusing others of having been bribed, and believing his opinion is more justified than any other.

Soon after his decision of the fate of Antigone, Creon’s tragic flaw blooms the greatest. This Hubris focuses on the Creon’s relentless, uncompromising, and egotistical attitude. Many try to convince Creon to reconsider on his misguided decision, however, Creon does not yield. It is at this point when one realizes the Hubris of Antigone. Creon possesses a false sense of pride and/or confidence in his intelligence. He believes he cannot be wrong, therefore his uncompromising and egotistical attitude shines brightest. It portrays him as “superficial, pigheaded, self-important man.” (Porter) This is Hamartia, his relentless,

Even though Antigone exhibits a blamable pride and a hunger for glory, her disobedience is less serious than those of Creon. It is evident that Antigone’s actions are driven by a love for her brother, and a desire to please the gods. While Creon’s actions are

The quote develops a theme because Creon wants power until he dies. The quote develops a theme because Creon won’t let women be in charge. In this paragraph Creon showed how he was power hungry. The next paragraph I will be talking about how Creon was

     Finally, Creon is a dynamic character. He undergoes changes in emotion throughout the work. He realizes his mistakes when Tiresias forecasts the future. Thus, Creon attempts to correct himself by releasing Antigone. But he is too late. He is forced to live, knowing that three people are dead as a result of his actions. This punishment is worse than death. Although Creon’s self-righteousness and inflexibility did not change until the end of the play, his motivations traveled from patriotic ones to personal ones. This created a major portion of the