Creon: An Aristotelian Tragic Hero Essay

Creon: An Aristotelian Tragic Hero

Aristotle, an ancient Literary Critic believed that in order for a character to be a tragic hero, the character must fulfill certain qualities. In Sophocles Tragedy Antigone, Creon who was once the cities most favored King, fell to ruin after causing the death of his own son. Not only did he kill his own son, his wife committed suicide because of such unbearable news. According to Aristotle Creon executes such criterion to the highest extent. Aristotle believed that a tragic hero must have been a man of greatness and nobility, while still being flawed in essence to his personality. Causing his own demise, the character must suffer far worst then one might think he deserves, at the same time gain insight of this and accept his failure to complete himself and achieve a more righteous self. In my opinion Creon is, according to Aristotle a tragic hero.

Creon, being next in line for the political post as King of Thebes, was known for his outstanding beliefs and morals. Creon states, I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid/ for whatever reason/ to follow the course of that he knows is best for the stateI have no use for him (Antigone. Scene 1. 21-11). this proves that Creon is a good strong leader who does not tolerate such weak pathetic citizens/ Rulers. It can be inferred, he will not do such behavior that risks his country. Also proving, that Creon is loyal to his country and loyalty is a characteristic that represents greatness and nobility. Creon displays in many situations that he is of greatness and nobility. For instance, I should not be afraid to speak out plainly/and I need hardly to remind you that I would never have any dealing with the enemy of the people (Antigone. Scene 1. 26-28). It can be concluded that Creon is Bold. Boldness is a great quality of greatness and nobility, it shows power and strength. Not only is he bold but he also demonstrates wisdom too. no one values friendship more highly then I/ but we must remember friends made at the risk of wreaking are not real friends at all (Antigone. Scene 1. 28-31). This proves that Creon is wise. He can tell the difference between seldom bases of friendships and Phony ones. Wisdom is a quality of greatness and nobility because it shows a keen sense of judgment. Its a proven fact that Creon is of greatness and nobility.

Furthermore, Creon isnt perfect and like human beings our flaws weight heavier than a ton. Creon proves himself to be paranoid and shows a lack of trust in his citizens. And death it is, yet money talks, and the wisest have sometimes been known to count a few coins too many (Antigone. Scene 1. 61-62). During this statement Creon is accusing the others of corruption, proving that he does not believe in them. In addition, I have made the following decisions towards the sons of Oedipushis brother polyneicespolyneices is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for him; he shall lie on the plain unburied and the birds and the scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like (Antigone. Scene 1. 32-47). This proves Creon to be ruthless which for a king isnt a good quality because it enforces fear in the citizens and the distrust which leads to Revolution and overthrowing of the king. Creon also has a problem with his temper. If irked he does not care to whom he speaks. Is it your senile opinion that he gods love to honor bad men? The man Creon is talking to is said to be a prophet of the gods. Such a rude statement not only is inappropriate but is blasphemy to the Greek gods, because all gods are perfect. This proves that he is unable to control his temper.

Creon Contributed partially to his own downfall. According to Antigone he was too arrogant that he put aside his rational thoughts and goes with what he feels is right. Ah the good fortune of kings, licensed to say and do whatever they please! (Antigone. Scene 2. 116-117) Antigone proves this statement that Creon, like all kings, is stupid and arrogant. He pays zero attention to his rational ideas but goes with what he feels is right. This leads to his own downfall because its this type of stupid arrogant thinking that leads to so many bad decisions and his terrible fate. Creon also adds to his downfall by angering the gods. Never the less, there are honors due all the deadbut not the same for the wicked. (Antigone. Scene 2. 129-130). Creon adds to his own downfall because he does not honor Polonaises death with a proper burial. Which angers the gods, angering the gods leads to crisis in Thebes which adds on to this downfall because the crisis is going to be Creons fault. In addition, your temper terrifies them-everyone will tell you what u want to hear. (Antigone. Scene 2. 63.) This proves that the people dont respect him but are fearful of Creons temper. This leads to his downfall because his subjects will do anything to prevent him from losing his temper even lie if they have to. It will cloud his judgment in future events causing him to only make situation worst for himself. Creon attributes to his own downfall.

Creon being flawed as all human Beings are, suffered the consequence. However, the extent of the consequence was unnecessary or even more then he deserved. Haimon. Haimon is dead; and the hand that killed him is his own. His fathers? or his own? His own, driven mad by the murder his father had done (Antigone. Exodus. 21-23) This is more than Creon deserved because not only did he lose his son. His son committed suicide, and he committed suicide because of his father. Creon now has to feel sorrow for his sons death and guilt for his sons death because he caused it. It gets worst, Am I a prophet? He said weeping, and must I walk this Road, the saddest of all that I have gone before? (Antigone. Exodus. 58-60) Creons punishment is more then he deserves because he himself has acknowledged the fact that he has never felt so shattered so broken so sad. Feelings sad is one thing, feeling extremely sad, is another, feeling sad to a point where you start accusing yourself of some higher calling do to such an incident is way more then anyone should have to bear. Lastly, Surely a god has crushed me beneath the hugest weight of heaven, And driven me headlong a barbaric way to trample out the thing I held most dearthe queen is dead (Antigone. Exodus. 102-110) This is more than Creon Deserves because he feels as though heaven itself has come down and brutally crushed him with its heaviest rock. Its taken his son and his wife away from him. He not only lost his whole family but has to be blamed for it.

Creon learned from his ordeal. He has become a better person through the rough trial he was put through. Lead me away, I have been Rash and foolish (Antigone. Exodus. 142) Creon admitted that he hasnt been on point with his judgment and accepts failure. He realizes that it is his fault and is no longer arrogant. In addition, Big words are always punished/ and proud men in old age learn to be wise (Antigone. Exodus. 149-150) Creons change of heart is so evident that the choragus as acknowledged. They agree that since his experience he has become wiser then before and are pretty sure that he wont make the same mistakes over. Lastly It is right that I should be. I am alone and guilty. I know it/ and I say it/ lead me in/ quickly friends/I have neither life nor substance/ Lead me in (Antigone. Exodus. 129-132) Creon is acknowledging his failure and is accepting his losses and the results. This shows him becoming wiser. Creon admits to all that he has done wrong and agrees that there were other solutions he could have taken.

In conclusion, Creon is a tragic hero because he fulfills all of Aristotles criterion on a tragic hero. He has greatness and nobility, he was flawed. He contributed to his own downfall, his punishment was more then he deserved and he did gain some insight from this ordeal. Creon fulfills all the criterions according to Aristotle. I personally believe that Creon was the only one fit for the tragic hero title. All the other characters didnt fit the description as well as Creon did.