...The Tragic Character of Antigone In any type of literature, there will always be a hero who experiences the stages of a tragic hero and fall into their depths of misery. In the play of “Antigone,” Creon and Antigone or two of the two tragic characters mentioned in the play met similar tragic fates and endings. Both of the characters also similar caused their own downfall and tragic endings by their ignorance (harmania), flaw (hubris), and mistakes earlier in the story. But as any tragic hero, Antigone did meet her tragic fate as any character would, she isn’t the tragic character in “Antigone”. Although she met a similar fate she’s just another main character to help push Creon into becoming a tragic hero. One of Creon’s flaw that led him...
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...to the tragic hero. Typically when we hear the word hero our minds think of one who has superpowers and protects their citizens, such a Superman and Spiderman. But when it comes to the Aristotle, a tragic hero in the Greek world often refers to the character that belongs to a higher class, but yet is one who has their very own human flaws. After reading the play, many readers believe that the tragic character is in fact Antigone because she is the main character, but that is not the case. The real tragic hero that is being portrayed throughout the story is Creon. Creon posses all of the qualities that a tragic hero must have, such as his authority, high status, actions and many flaws that later on leads him into a vicious cycle. Since the death of Antigone’s parents, Creon has turned into the powerful, wealthy king. Creon holds such an authoritative role throughout the story that it allowed him to fall into the character of a tragic hero. The people were so loyal to Creon and this showed throughout the burial...
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...Comic hero compared to a tragic hero Craig is considered to be a comic hero compared to Hamlet and Archilles who are a tragic hero. Comic heroes is a hero who recovers from their flaws, however tragic heroes do not recover from their flaw for the reason to do in some sort of heroic sacrifice. Craig seems to have a worthless life and suffers from depression. Wanting to commit suicide to end his misery he decides not to for his family. Craig shows considerate feelings and seeks for help. The support from his friends and family helps him open up to his flaw and change his view in life. Successfully, Craig is able to recover from his flaw and live. On the contrary, Achilles lives a superior life as a demi god, and is highly admired as a warrior. Unlike Craig, Archilles only cares for himself. However Archilles too suffers from a flaw, Archilles is hubris. Archilles fights for the Greeks for his name to be remembered but knows his death will come. Unfortunately Archilles does not recover from his flaw, there was none to help him, and is the reason why he dies. Similarly to Archilles, Hamlet is a prince of Denmark. With no help he too suffers from a flaw that he is not able to recover from: indecisive. Making many failed attempts to avenge his father it accumulates the problem. Although Hamlet achieves his goal, his inability to act at the beginning causes the life of himself and other friends and family. Craig, Archilles and Hamlet are all around the same age with privileged...
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...Divya Kumar Mr. Kirley ENG3U1-05 November.11.2015. The Crucible: Is John Proctor truly a tragic hero? A tragic hero is a person with admirable qualities yet they have a tragic flaw that leads them to their downfall. In Miller’s play “The Crucible,” the protagonist, John Proctor, is a tragic hero known for his good reputation yet commits adultery with Abigail thus making it a tragic flaw that leads to his death. John Proctor is a tragic hero because he is a well-mannered person that has a good reputation. John strongly believes in Elizabeth’s good morals by proving his honesty and bond towards Elizabeth and speaks up for her as he tries to get her and his friends’ wives out of jail. He tells Danforth...
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...A tragic hero, without an audiences' sympathy, is nothing more than a wasted character. The hero must have nobility, enough to reward him credibility with their audience. From there, he must reach a turning point from his former fortune to utter misery by the hands of his own landmark flaw. With these three combinations, he must, without exception, achieve audience sympathy; without it his lesson becomes useless, just he himself does. Though she may not fit the mold of the tragic Aristotle defined, Nora surpasses the title entirely. While still holding the three key features of nobility, harmartia, and peripetia, Nora claims victory over Oedipus as audiences willing give her their sympathy, making her the more affective tragic hero. Despite...
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...World Literature I 1. In your opinion, is Oedipus a hero? Think about what you found heroic in previous characters we encountered: Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Roland. How does Oedipus compare? Also, does Oedipus have a character flaw that affects his fate? There are many types of heroes, but Oedipus happens to be a tragic hero. Throughout the story, it is pretty safe to say that Oedipus is a tragic hero. In Aristotle’s work, he has made this point very apparent. There are three main reasons why I think Oedipus is a tragic hero. First, by his own actions, he ascertains his own fate. Secondly, he falls from great esteem. Lastly, Oedipus’ story ascends fear and sympathy. The way Oedipus discovers his fate is by his own actions. If he did not inquire about the murder of Laois, he probably would have never discovered that he in fact was the murderer. The saying “curiosity killed the cat”, is a perfect example of how Oedipus’ story dwindled and unwounded. If Oedipus did not seek Teresias he would have still been in the unknown of the murder. When he asked Teresias, the answers that were given were nonetheless the answers that Oedipus was seeking. For example, Teresias replied to him and said, “You are the murderer of the king whose murderer you seek.” After hearing this information, he still does not believe it or understand, so he seeks Jocasta. He has hopes of her telling him that there is no truth to what Teresias is saying. When he arrives, the news that Oedipus hears is the...
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...Montel Branch English 4 Argumentative essay What makes someone a tragic hero? A tragic hero is someone who makes judgement error that inevitably lead to their own destruction. A hero’s downfall comes from specific traits that cause their destruction. Between the two major characters Antigone and Othello, Othello exemplifies a tragic hero the most from the following reasons error of judgment, reversal of fortune and recognition of change in fate. The tragic hero trait that Othello displays is recognition of reversal was brought by his own actions. The general of the Venetian army, Othello married to wife Desdemona was friends with a trustable man named Iago. Othello made the decision to make Cassio his lieutenant instead of Iago....
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...Creon’s Tragic Fall: A Look at Sophocles’ Antigone A tragic hero is defined by Aristotle’s Poetics as the protagonist in the story to whom something happens that elicits pity from the audience. For the most part, a tragic hero is a “virtuous” person whose life changes from being prosperous to being a life full of misfortune (Aristotle, Poetics). In other words, the tragic hero is someone of great social standing who begins the story at a very high point, but suffers their downfall because of a tragic flaw. In Sophocles’ Antigone the central theme of this play is the struggle between Antigone and her uncle Creon. The issue of burying Antigone’s brother Polynices is based on the ancient Greek philosophy of death, where any unburied body condemns its soul to torment. Basically, it was the duty of the family to bury their dead. Yet, this issue extended beyond family loyalty to a decree of piety by the gods. However, in the play, Creon goes against this celestial decree because he sees Polynices as a traitor for warring against him as a member of another army. As a means to set an example about the repercussions of disloyalty, Creon issues an edict to leave him unburied. As a man who starts the drama in as the respected king of Thebes, he gradually loses his family, his objectivity, and his power to his stubbornness and hubris that ultimately results in his downfall. Hence, Creon is a tragic hero in the Sophocles’ Antigone because his unbending pride results in tragic downfall...
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...In The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, there are many different aspects of tragic heroes and downfalls. Overall, the protagonist Lord Macbeth displays the greatest characteristics of a tragic hero because of his large and prominent downfall. Macbeth showed all of the tragic hero characteristics which include: goodness, superiority, tragic flaw, and self realization. These characteristics help define who Macbeth is, and who he progresses into as the play advances. The prophecies of the Witches seemed to control Lord Macbeth in the worst way. They took over his decision making and rational thinking forcing him to make dense choices which would eventually result in his downfall. Goodness; the quality of being good, in particular. Some say Lord Macbeth lost of all his morality by the greed of ambition but I very much disagree. Macbeth may have made rash decisions and chose to do wrong but he did all of which with a stable, sane, and understanding mind. “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think of what I have done. Look on’t again I dare not.” (II ii 65-68). This shows that Lord Macbeth is aware that what he just...
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...It is the characterization of intense human relationships that continues to captivate audiences of Othello. Explore this statement with reference to one intense human relationship in the play In Shakespeare’s, Othello, it is the tragic downfall of the protagonist which intrigues audiences, exploring elements of the human condition through intricate human interactions. Utilizing the emotional depth of complex human relationships, Shakespeare discusses fundamental human characteristics in passion, desire and revenge, creating the primary drama of the play as audiences consider the relevant nature of Othello’s tragic downfall, as orchestrated by the duplicitous Iago. Othello’s tragic downfall captivates audiences through the intensity of his relationships with other characters. Within Othello, Shakespeare is able to involve the audience in the emotional conflict of the play, as the titular hero is manipulated by his symbiotic relationship with iago, leading to his self-destruction. Throughout the play, Iago relentlessly exploits Othello’s tragic flaw of absolutism through his devilish intellectual superiority, evoking a sense of sympathy as Iago is resolute in turning Othello’s power, reputation and relationships into chaos via human nature. Iago’s contempt for the “thick lips” subsequently leads to the revelation of his expedient and duplicitous character, as he feigns loyalty to the Moor only to, “serve his turn upon him” by “pouring pestilence into his hear”. Iago’s manipulation...
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...ALICE SEKYERE OBENG AUUG09120013 CLASSIFYING OKWONKWO IN “THINGS FALL APART” AND NANAYAA IN “ IN THE CHEST OF A WOMAN” AS TRAGIC HEROE AND HEROIN RESPECTIVELY, WITH REFERENCE TO THE BOOKS. In every story or novel, there is both a protagonist and antagonist ,the protagonist could either be a tragic hero, a hero, or a heroine among others .In things fall apart which was written by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian, there is a tragic hero who is okwonkwo, the story weaves itself around him till the end and tells of how he and his people lived without the white man, when he came and after he came and also tells of how Okwonkwo forced to fight change which eventually lead to his death. With “in the chest of a woman” however, Efo Kodjo Mawugbe, a Ghanaian writer who unfortunately passed away recently tells his story in legs instead of acts and scenes which makes it unique, and also woven around Nanayaa who comes off as a strong, bold and daring character comparable to a heroine. In the play, she would stop at nothing to achieve her lifelong dream and selfish ambition of becoming a queen instead of her younger brother, and when that is not possible she resorts to disguising her daughter as a male, so she could be king. This plan backfires as the true identity is revealed at the end. Although these characteristics classify them both as a tragic hero and heroine, there are also some major characteristics that enforces that fact including that they were both noble persons, or usually of...
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...Who’ s the Tragic Hero? A tragic hero is defined by Aristotle as someone with hamartia,which is a flaw or error of judgement, peripeteia, a reversal of fortune due to the error of judgement, anagnorisis, the realization that the peripeteia was caused by their own actions, and hubris, excessive pride. In Antigone by Sophocles there is a debate of who is the tragic hero of the story Antigone or Creon. According to the definition the tragic hero of Antigone has to be Creon. Antigone starts medias res, Creon declares that his nephew Polynieces is not to get the proper burial, “ No burial of any kind. No wailing, no public tears. / Give him to the vultures, unwept, unburied, / To be a sweet treasure for their sharp eyes and beaks” (l.28-30). Creon was feared by all of his subjects so they obeyed his command no matter how immoral. The only person that openly defied him was Antigone, his niece, with burying Polynieces. When the Watchman told Creon what had occurred Creon said that Antigone had to die. Creon said that...
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...betrayals and many deaths. Hamlet definitely fits the genre of a tragedy in various ways. The play gives its audience a heart touching experience that makes the audience feel empathy for the characters. In order to have a true tragedy, there must be a tragic hero, along with a tragic flaw, and a catharsis. Below, one can learn what a tragedy is and how Hamlet fits this genre. In order to call Hamlet a tragedy one must know the meaning of tragedy. The Oxford English dictionary defines a tragedy as a serious play with an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character. Every tragedy should have a tragic hero. The tragic hero is often the protagonist in a play. The great philosopher Aristotle defines a tragic hero as a man of noble stature who is admired by society but flawed. The flaw in the hero is a key component to the play. It is often what makes or breaks the character. Many times the flaw in the character is what causes the turmoil. It is safe to say that every tragedy has a tragic hero and every tragic hero has a flaw. The imperfection in the character enables the audience to see eye to eye with the character. The audience is able to see that everybody has their imperfections. Just as our flaws can sometimes lead us into trouble, we can see how the protagonist has to face the same issues. Another key component that every tragedy should have is a catharsis. Catharsis comes from a Greek word meaning purification or cleansing. A catharsis is...
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...For a story to be considered a tragedy, the protagonist has to experience a big loss, or in other words a downfall. William Shakespeare, who masters in writing tragedies, portrays the tragedy of a hero in the play Macbeth written in 1606. It is set in Scotland during its medieval times, where the main protagonist Macbeth is a person of nobility being known to be: Scotland’s greatest warrior, the Thane of Glamis, as well as the first cousin to King Duncan. His impending tragedy starts from the moment he is given prophecies by the three witches. Lady Macbeth who is Macbeth’s wife gives the push that drives him into killing King Duncan for the throne. Unknowingly lady Macbeth guides Macbeth towards his downfall, as the action of murdering Duncan...
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...it possible to see Baba as a tragic hero? (21) The definition of a tragic hero is a noble person with heroic or potentially heroic tendencies; however has a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall and a reversal of fortune. The audience typically pities this character. Although it may be argued that Baba is, in fact, a tragic hero, I do not believe that he is. Some readers may see Baba as a tragic hero as Baba does hold some of the characteristics needed for him to be a tragic hero. For example, he is sometimes noble, as on occasion, he quite clearly shows that he has high moral principles, as a noble person would. For example, when he stands up for the woman in the truck. ‘I’ll take a thousand bullets before I let this indecency take place.’ This is considered particularly noble as, given the context in Afghanistan in 1981, to stand up to a Russian soldier in order to stand up for your morals, is noble and heroic. Readers may also view Baba as a tragic hero, because, as a character, he most certainly does have flaws. From the way he treated Amir ‘Baba grunted, didn’t answer.’ (Chapter 2) to the adultery with Hassan’s mother, a high crime in Afghanistan in the past, especially with a servant, resulting in the birth of Hassan. The fact he kept this hidden for so long is a flaw in itself, as he sees himself to have the moral high ground on many occasions, for example, when he forgives Hassan from stealing from Amir. However, these flaws do not instigate Baba’s downfall...
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