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Antigone

In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone is the tragic hero of the play, rather than Creon. In one way Creon is the main character of the play. He has more stage time than anyone else. He is on stage from start to end. And, one could even argue, he is the "protagonist" of the conflict. In fact, this particular play wrecks havoc on traditional definitions of "protagonist" and "antagonist," as well as "tragic hero." But he is not the tragic hero. The definition of "tragic hero" has to do with more than being on stage or having a large number of lines. Antigone is indeed the tragic hero of this play, not Creon, because Creon did not die a martyr, he simply suffered.

To suggest that Creon is a tragic hero is to totally misread Antigone, and to totally miss the point of the play. Sophocles named the play after Antigone, which is no small thing. Sophocles wants us to see Antigone as the tragic figure. Creon is not tragic; he is pitiful. There is a difference, Antigone is a sympathetic character whereas Creon may be only looked at in sympathy towards the end of the play, only because of his severe mistakes. After Creon’s dreadful downfall, (Antigone and Eurydice’s deaths, Creon’s realization of the wrong done.) Creon breaks

Antigone is in a different position. Her options are: to defy the law and face death, but give her brother the burial he deserves as a human being ... or, to follow Creon's orders and not bury her brother, and subject her brother's spirit to the outrages of non-burial, and live with the guilt of that for the remainder of her life. In the beginning of the play when Antigone gives away her scheme properly bury her brother to Ismene, Ismene’s immediate reaction is the obvious: reluctant. However, her immediate reaction does not change, and she tells Antigone to back down, yet Antigone, noble as she is, will not back down no matter the cost: “I will not press you any more. I would not want you as a partner if you asked. Go to what you please. I go bury him. How beautiful to die in such pursuit! To rest loved by him whom I have loved, sinner of a holy sin, with longer time to charm the dead than those who live, for I shall abide forever there. So go. And please your fantasy and call it wicked what the gods call good.” (194). Antigone chooses wisely in defying the law. We know she was right, the very aspect of her risking her own life for her brother’s honor makes her an admirable character, therefore we admire her for what she does, and we view her as heroic.