Sophocles’ play Antigone is most certainly a tragedy, similar to other Greek tragedies such as Oedipus by the same author. What makes this tragedy different, in my opinion, is the fact that there are two potential tragic figures in this play: Antigone, the play’s namesake, and Creon, the king of Thebes who is arguably the most important character of the play. Antigone is the tragic story of a woman whose desire to do what she feels is right and proper at any cost ultimately causes the loss of her life; it is also the story of the tragic downfall of a king whose strict adherence to law in an attempt to maintain order in his kingdom cause his entire world around him to crumble to pieces.
First, we will take a closer look at the character of Antigone and her tragic story. Right from the very beginning of the story it is obvious that Antigone is a very strong-willed woman who stands for what is just and right. After the injustice of Creon’s decree forbidding burial of her deceased brother Polynices because he was a “traitor,” Antigone is determined to give her brother the proper respect that he deserves in death. She decides to deliberately disobey the law and bury her brother anyways; in this action she not only commits the crime which physically leads to her death but also reveals her tragic flaw. This flaw is her failure to play it safe and recklessly commit a crime which she has a high chance of being caught for. Her reasoning of this stems from her belief that she is above the law and that she obeys the law of God and justice; this reveals a failure to understand her place in society as a female citizen who is not obligated to receive any special treatment.
Creon can be viewed as a tragic figure also, but his reasons and his flaws are much different than those of Antigone. Creon, as the new ruler of Thebes, attempts to lay down strict, specific rules and orders to keep his kingdom in line. His decree forbidding the burial of Polynices, and his faithful enforcement of this rule cause problems for him that ultimately lead to his downfall. In this one singular act, created with good intentions to protect the masses and maintain order, started him on his downward spiral. One of his significant flaws is revealed in this process, and that is his adherence to law despite its negative consequences. Creon thinks that he absolutely has to follow through with his punishment, as shown in his dialogue with Haimon and Antigone, and this is why he loses everything. Another flaw is his hubris, as shown in his conversation with the prophet Teresias and failure to listen to the advice is Teresias, and, in effect, the Gods. Creon is essentially a good person with good intentions, but his flaws cost him his son, his wife, and effectively his entire life.
So, I will leave it to you to decide who is the more important character in the story and who is the true tragic figure. (520)
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6 comments:
It was rather fortuitous that you have posted such a magnanimous blog at such an indefatigable occasion.
You have offered to those who read you most munificent vocabularious writings a most insightful insight into the works of the up-and-coming young author, Sophocles.
Most surely a pleasure,
ETF
Nice post John. However, I feel I must disagree with you slightly on one point. Antigone's flaw is not the fact that she expects special treatment because she is a women, she expects nothing less than death and that is what she receives. I believe her character flaw is more in her strong willed personality as you said. Perhaps if she had waited a day for things to settle down a bit in the Kingdom, she could have spoken to the King, now more reasonable after a settling down period, and persuaded him to give her brother the burial she believes he deserves. Just a thought.
Unlike the first comment, I will actually say something with my comment. I appreciate your choosing to not immediately condemn Creon as another archetypal “evil king.” Rather, you present thorough analysis as to why his case is “tragic.” However, I am reluctant to accept your label of Creon as a “good person,” primarily because I feel that is too simple of a label for a complex character. With respect to Antigone, I agree with your fundamental contention, as I think most people would, that her downfall is driven by her inability to see reason in a situation where her passions have blinded her. However, I disagree your last assertion concerning her role as a female member of society: I am having difficulty conjuring up textual elements to support your argument. Lastly, your conclusion could be stronger. Nevertheless, on the whole, well done.
On the whole, this was a well-written post. I would have to agree with my esteemed colleague Mr. Rosensweig that your classification of Creon as a "good person" barely scratches the surface of this much-maligned man. After the class discussion, I think we both have a much better understanding of Antigone as a tragic figure. I particularly liked when you wrote: "...reveals a failure to understand [Antigone's] place in society as a female citizen who is not obligated to receive any...treatment." If I may say so myself, LOL.
Harrison
John,
I most definitely enjoyed your blog on the tragic natures of both Antigone and Creon and particularly like what you say in regards to Creon being another, almost equal tragic character in the play. I feel that often times, a lot of focus is put on Antigone here because she is, in many ways, the catalyst to Creon's downfall and the one with the so-called "good intentions;" however, so much of the plot reveals Creon's story to be, to me, the bigger tragic downfall and he finishes the story a miserable and lonely king who must deal with the pain and guilt of his actions for the rest of his life. Also, as Harry did, I definitely found that line especially humorous. Keep up the good work.
Good post,and a series of good comments from your peers. I've been thinking (just lately) that one reason for having two tragic characters might be to show the similarity between them. In both cases, it is their stubborn adherence to their initial positions (arrogance in Creon's case, an excess of passion in Antigone's?) that makes them tragic characters.
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