Antigone As A Tragic Hero

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Antigone An Aristotle Tragic Hero In Sophocles' Antigone, a young girl is struggling to do what she believes it right. Antigone fights for her brother, Polyneices', proper burial. Going against her uncle's, King Creon's, wishes she buries him anyway. According to Aristotle's Analysis, Antigone has all the characteristics of a tragic hero.

The play focuses itself upon Antigone and her high moral stature. A tragic hero must be better than the average person, but still know that the gods hold supremacy. Antigone is driven to bury her brother who is considered a traitor by law for fighting against the city of Thebes. She knows that without a proper burial, Polyneices, will not be able to rest eternally and Antigone will not be able to liver with herself if she does not do what she believes. Never backing down for her cause, Antigone goes forward with her plan, even thought the gods have wished bad luck on her family in the past.

Antigone born of the royal blood of Thebes carries another of Aristotles characteristics for a tragic hero. She is the daughter of Oedipus and Iocaste. Antigone's uncle is Creon, now the King of Thebes after her fathers death. Haimon, the Prince of Thebes, son of Creon, is madly in love with her and plans to marry her. Ismene, Antigone's older sister, even tries to persuade Antigone not to go against the law by reminding her of their father and brother, Oedipus, and his prophecy. "Oedipus died, everyone hating him/... Think how much more terrible than these/ Our own death would be if we should go against/ Creon/ And do what he has forbidden!" and still Antigone stands up to her beliefs regardless of what may come of her (191).

Antigone is not shy or regretful towards...