Antigone certainly qualifies Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero in that the character is neither completely noble nor entirely evil. The Chorus reminds the reader that Antigone is a threat to order and the law that protects the good of the people, because she is in opposition to “the throne of Justice”. On the other hand there are different justices at work in the play: there is justice symbolized by Creon, which are man made laws, and there is justice symbolized by Antigone, which are laws of morals and the right thing to do.
What makes Antigone more of a tragic “heroine”, is the idea of the individual and their sense of right and wrong, struggling against the strength of the state and its laws. This theme, is what I think made me feel more compassionate towards Antigone. Even
Creon’s good intentions, combined with his stubbornness and pride gave the reader an impression of him as a tyrant. Conversely, Antigone’s action is heroic in the sense that she defies the power of the state out of love for her brother. Even in death, Antigone is more heroic that Creon. Her death is seen as a martyr like experience. I my view Antigone saw her death coming from the moment she decided that she will try to bury her brother.
Antigone is the character who amazed me with with her determination. She also shows stubbornness and pride but this is part of her merit. Both Antigone and Creon serve as tragic roles in the play, but Antigone’s virtue and actions brought on by her conscience, lead her to serve as the heroine of the play.
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