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Like father like daughter, Theban King Oedipus and Theban Princess Antigone share the tragic flaws of pride and passion. Their proud and passionate approaches to life show up in their single minded choices of courses of action according to their reactions to the moment. Those choices and those actions become their own guarantees of the very fates Oedipus and Antigone claim to want to avoid.

Specifically, Oedipus thinks that he can escape the unenviable fate of killing his father and sovereign, and marrying his mother. But in running away, he angrily kills a man who's old enough to be his father and whom he resembles in attitude, appearance and actions. He then marries a woman who's old enough to be his mother and whom he may resemble in some feature or quirk of character or personality.

Similarly, Antigone decides to honor the gods and her family instead of obeying society's laws of the moment. She thinks she can bury a treacherous brother and behave publicly in disrespectful ways to her uncle and future father-in-law, Theban King Creon. Admittedly, Creon has a difficult personality. But Antigone makes no attempt to work things out for her well being or for anyone's happiness. In fact, her own actions and words make sure that the corpses of those whom she defends remain disrespected and exposed to the cruel workings of weather and wildlife.

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Q: What are the tragic flaws in the characters of 'Antigone' and 'Oedipus Rex'?
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What are the tragic flaws in the characters of 'Antigone'?

Arrogance, fear, pride and uncontrolled emotions are the tragic flaws in the characters of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, arrogance causes Theban Princess Antigone to believe that she can honor the gods by obeying their law but dishonor them by disrespecting their earthly representative, the equally arrogant King Creon. Fear leads Princess Ismene not to help her sister Antigone give their brother Polyneices' body the below ground burial that he deserves and is his right. Pride and uncontrolled emotions motivate Antigone, Creon and Prince Haemon to such a degree that they ruin every opportunity for reconciliation.


Can Oedipus not be the tragic hero in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus can be no other than a tragic hero in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a hero is someone who is capable of great deeds. The tragic hero ends up suffering, usually because of his own errors and flaws. The phrase therefore describes Theban King Oedipus, who defeats the monstrous Sphinx, but then suffers great personal and professional losses because of hasty decision-making and spontaneous, passionate outbursts.


Who has a tragic flaw in 'Antigone'?

Antigone, Creon, Haemon and undoubtedlyIsmene have tragic flaws in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone is reckless in speech: she says what she thinks, but is not interested in contrary convictions and opinions. King Creon is stubbornly arrogantin that he thinks that he can get away with contradicting a divine law. Prince Haeman, Antigone's husband-to-be and Creon's son, disrespects his father and his sovereign: this is offensive to the gods and to mortals in ancient Greece. Finally, Ismene's fate undoubtedly is tragic, if nothing else from the fact that she just disappears from the character interactions after just two brief appearances. Her tragic flaw is fear, which makes her not back up Antigone when it may make a difference and support her when it is too late.


How does the chorus first characterize Antigone's punishment in 'Antigone'?

That her behavior leaves Creon no choice is the way in which the chorus first characterizes Antigone's punishment in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus does not sympathize with Theban Princess Antigone. The members insist that she is every bit as proud, stubborn, uncompromising, uncontrolled and unlucky as her father, disgraced Theban King Oedipus. They make no mention about her courage and a lot of mention about her perceived character flaws.


What was the flaw of Oedipus the King?

His flaw is said to be Pride, but the theory that ancient playwrights put tragic flaws in their characters the same way Shakespeare did is a misunderstanding based on a mistranslation. Oepidus was said to have suffered tragedy because of Hamartia a Greek word which then meant 'A mistake made in ignorance'. Later translators misread the word as meaning 'Sin' or 'Flaw'.

Related questions

What are the tragic flaws in the characters of 'Antigone'?

Arrogance, fear, pride and uncontrolled emotions are the tragic flaws in the characters of "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, arrogance causes Theban Princess Antigone to believe that she can honor the gods by obeying their law but dishonor them by disrespecting their earthly representative, the equally arrogant King Creon. Fear leads Princess Ismene not to help her sister Antigone give their brother Polyneices' body the below ground burial that he deserves and is his right. Pride and uncontrolled emotions motivate Antigone, Creon and Prince Haemon to such a degree that they ruin every opportunity for reconciliation.


Can Oedipus not be the tragic hero in 'Oedipus Rex'?

No, Oedipus can be no other than a tragic hero in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a hero is someone who is capable of great deeds. The tragic hero ends up suffering, usually because of his own errors and flaws. The phrase therefore describes Theban King Oedipus, who defeats the monstrous Sphinx, but then suffers great personal and professional losses because of hasty decision-making and spontaneous, passionate outbursts.


Is Desdemona tragic using Aristotle's definition And why?

Oh, probably not. She isn't the main character. She has no flaws (unless you count unshakeable fidelity as a flaw), and does not have a moment where she realizes that she has done wrong. Basically, she is not like Oedipus. According to Aristotle, only Oedipus or someone exactly like him can be a tragic hero, and only Oedipus Rex or a play exactly like it can be a tragedy. What an idiot.


Who has a tragic flaw in 'Antigone'?

Antigone, Creon, Haemon and undoubtedlyIsmene have tragic flaws in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone is reckless in speech: she says what she thinks, but is not interested in contrary convictions and opinions. King Creon is stubbornly arrogantin that he thinks that he can get away with contradicting a divine law. Prince Haeman, Antigone's husband-to-be and Creon's son, disrespects his father and his sovereign: this is offensive to the gods and to mortals in ancient Greece. Finally, Ismene's fate undoubtedly is tragic, if nothing else from the fact that she just disappears from the character interactions after just two brief appearances. Her tragic flaw is fear, which makes her not back up Antigone when it may make a difference and support her when it is too late.


Who were usually the major characters in Greek poetry and tragic plays?

Major characters in Greek poetry and tragic plays were often gods and goddesses, heroes, kings and queens, warriors, and common citizens. These characters were typically involved in dramatic conflicts, quests, or tragedies that showcased their virtues and flaws. The interactions between these characters played a pivotal role in conveying moral lessons and exploring themes such as fate, hubris, and justice.


What is a reason with an example for why tragic flaws are important other than creating irony in 'Antigone'?

That they advance the plot, create tension and increase audience interest are reasons for why tragic flaws are important other than for creating irony in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone's tragic flaw of uncontrolled passionate outbursts advances the plot by impelling her to brag about breaking her uncle Creon's edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. King Creon's tragic flaw of stubbornness creates tension by keeping him from seeking common grounds at points when reconciliation still is possible. Prince Haemon's tragic flaw of pride increases audience interest by making him unforgiving about mutual wrongs and pushing him to try to kill his own father.


What is Perseus tragic flaws?

His Pride.


What was one of Dorothy Gale's tragic flaws?

One of Dorothy Gale's tragic flaws in "The Wizard of Oz" is her naivety and willingness to trust strangers easily, which leads her to be easily manipulated by others. This flaw causes her to be taken advantage of by the Wicked Witch of the West and other characters throughout her journey.


What is the tragic archetype?

The tragic archetype is a character who experiences a downfall or unfortunate fate as a result of a fatal flaw in their own character. This archetype often serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of hubris or other character flaws. Examples include Oedipus from Greek mythology and Macbeth from Shakespeare's play.


How does the chorus first characterize Antigone's punishment in 'Antigone'?

That her behavior leaves Creon no choice is the way in which the chorus first characterizes Antigone's punishment in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus does not sympathize with Theban Princess Antigone. The members insist that she is every bit as proud, stubborn, uncompromising, uncontrolled and unlucky as her father, disgraced Theban King Oedipus. They make no mention about her courage and a lot of mention about her perceived character flaws.


What was the flaw of Oedipus the King?

His flaw is said to be Pride, but the theory that ancient playwrights put tragic flaws in their characters the same way Shakespeare did is a misunderstanding based on a mistranslation. Oepidus was said to have suffered tragedy because of Hamartia a Greek word which then meant 'A mistake made in ignorance'. Later translators misread the word as meaning 'Sin' or 'Flaw'.


What are the two reasons that the chorus gives for Antigone's suffering in 'Antigone'?

Character flaws and divine will are two reasons that the chorus gives for Antigone's suffering in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the chorus characterizes Theban Princess Antigone as disrespectful, passionate, stubborn, temperamental, uncontrolled and wild. The members also describe as very much like her father, disgraced Theban King Oedipus. They indicate that she is the cursed descendant of the royal house of Labdacus that the gods intend to destroy with generations of cumulative cursing.