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That she dies young and undefended by the gods that she defends is a reason why Antigone may be considered a tragic character in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone defies a royal edict that contradicts divine will and Theban traditions. She gets the death sentence for her civil disobedience. She hangs herself rather than prolong her death sentence of live burial and starvation. She has to endure humiliation, insults and pain even though she is defending the ultimate authority of the gods. The gods ironically and tragically remain silent and removed throughout Antigone's brief life and lonely death.

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Q: Why may Antigone be considered a tragic character in 'Antigone'?
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Does Antigone recognize her error and accept the tragic consequence?

Yes, Antigone accepts the tragic consequences of her acts. In the play 'Antigone', the main character of the same name always is aware of the consequences of disobedience to manmade laws and compliance with god-given justice. No, Antigone doesn't recognize her acts as erroneous. She indicates that she may have been able to replace husbands and children. But she has no choice in regard to Polyneices. For both her parents are dead, and so a dead brother may not be replaced with another.


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 is the main speaker in 'Antigone'?

The main speaker in the play 'Antigone' may be considered as the character who has the most words to speak. That person appears to be Theban King Creon. For he dominates every action in the play, by his direct presence or by direct references to him by the main characters.


Is the tragic hero Antigone or Creon?

Creon is the tragic hero of Antigone. He matches Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero exactly. He is of noble birth, because he is the king and because he was formerly the brother of the queen (Jocasta) and the uncle of the king (Eteocles). Second is his flaw, which is hubris, overbearing pride. He is so overconfident in himself that he ignores the law of the gods and everyone else's advice. The reversal of fortune happened directly after it was predicted by Teiresias, his entire family was lost, and his attempt to right his wrongs failed completely. Then the anagnorisis takes place and he realizes what he has done wrong. The weight of what he had done comes crashing down on him, the fact that all that happened was his fault. Antigone also fits some of these qualities, but not all. One can say that she is stubborn, but that doesn't really qualify as hamartia because it doesn't really cause the downfall of everything. The reversal of fortune was caused by Creon's mistakes. Plus, there is no realization by her before she dies. Instead she is steadfast in her belief that she is doing the right thing. Though Creon DOES display many of the tragic hero traits, Antigone, herself, may also be considered the tragic hero of Antigone. A tragic hero is described as a "literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy". In this specific play, Antigone's fatal flaw would be burying her brother against the will of Creon. This caused the crisis at the end of the story. Her death was the beginning of the chain of deaths of Haemon and Eurdyices.


Is Antigone or Creon a dignified superior character in 'Antigone'?

Neither Antigone or Creon is a dignified superior character in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone and King Creon deliberately behave badly towards each other. Neither one comports him or herself in a fashion that can be called dignified or superior. The phrase may be applied to the chorus leader, who is the only character to behave in a consistently controlled way. Everyone else resorts to emotional outbursts at one time or another.

Related questions

Does Antigone recognize her error and accept the tragic consequence?

Yes, Antigone accepts the tragic consequences of her acts. In the play 'Antigone', the main character of the same name always is aware of the consequences of disobedience to manmade laws and compliance with god-given justice. No, Antigone doesn't recognize her acts as erroneous. She indicates that she may have been able to replace husbands and children. But she has no choice in regard to Polyneices. For both her parents are dead, and so a dead brother may not be replaced with another.


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 is the main speaker in 'Antigone'?

The main speaker in the play 'Antigone' may be considered as the character who has the most words to speak. That person appears to be Theban King Creon. For he dominates every action in the play, by his direct presence or by direct references to him by the main characters.


Is the tragic hero Antigone or Creon?

Creon is the tragic hero of Antigone. He matches Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero exactly. He is of noble birth, because he is the king and because he was formerly the brother of the queen (Jocasta) and the uncle of the king (Eteocles). Second is his flaw, which is hubris, overbearing pride. He is so overconfident in himself that he ignores the law of the gods and everyone else's advice. The reversal of fortune happened directly after it was predicted by Teiresias, his entire family was lost, and his attempt to right his wrongs failed completely. Then the anagnorisis takes place and he realizes what he has done wrong. The weight of what he had done comes crashing down on him, the fact that all that happened was his fault. Antigone also fits some of these qualities, but not all. One can say that she is stubborn, but that doesn't really qualify as hamartia because it doesn't really cause the downfall of everything. The reversal of fortune was caused by Creon's mistakes. Plus, there is no realization by her before she dies. Instead she is steadfast in her belief that she is doing the right thing. Though Creon DOES display many of the tragic hero traits, Antigone, herself, may also be considered the tragic hero of Antigone. A tragic hero is described as a "literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy". In this specific play, Antigone's fatal flaw would be burying her brother against the will of Creon. This caused the crisis at the end of the story. Her death was the beginning of the chain of deaths of Haemon and Eurdyices.


A character's personality trait that leads to his or her downfall?

A Tragic Flaw or weakness is the usual cause of pain and sometimes tragedy for a character. This character is sometimes called a â??Tragic heroâ?? and this personality issue is a game changer which may lead to devastating losses or even death.


Who is the protagonist in 'Antigone'?

Antigone is the protagonist in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, in English, the noun "protagonist" may refer to the champion of a particular cause. It also may refer to the main character. Either way, the English word comes from the classical language of the ancient Greeks. In Greek, the word "protagonistes" combines "protos" for "first" with "agonistes" for "actor." All three descriptions - champion, leading actor, and main character - apply to Antigone.


Is Antigone or Creon a dignified superior character in 'Antigone'?

Neither Antigone or Creon is a dignified superior character in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone and King Creon deliberately behave badly towards each other. Neither one comports him or herself in a fashion that can be called dignified or superior. The phrase may be applied to the chorus leader, who is the only character to behave in a consistently controlled way. Everyone else resorts to emotional outbursts at one time or another.


Who were heroic in 'Antigone'?

Antigone, Haemon, Ismene and Teiresias are heroic in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.). Specifically, heroic describes an individual who does great deeds, hold great powers or is the main character. Theban Princess Antigone is heroic as the main character and the doer of the great deed of burying her brother and honoring the gods. But Haemon, Ismene and Teiresias may be said to join her in specific heroic acts of selflessness.


Who is the tragic hero in Antigone?

The tragic hero in Antigone is generally considered to be Creon. He is a respected king who experiences a downfall due to his tragic flaw of excessive pride and stubbornness. His actions lead to a series of tragic events, ultimately resulting in his own personal suffering and the loss of his family.


Why does Antigone say that this crime is holy in 'Antigone'?

Because the crime is a violation of an illegal royal edict but not of any divine law Antigone says that her crime is holy in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.E.C.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone is considered a criminal in terms of an illegal royal edict. That edict sanctions god-given burial rights for her brother Eteocles but denies them to her brother Polyneices. Antigone's act of burying Polyneices is in line with what the gods want for all Thebans and therefore may be considered holy.


How old is Antigone?

In the play 'Antigone', no information is given as to the age of the main character of the same name. But in ancient Greece, betrothal arrangements tended to be made in the childhood, if not the infancy, of the future bride and groom. A guess based on Antigone's actions and speech may be at around 15 years old.


What is Creon's objective in actor's terms in 'Antigone'?

To develop Antigone's emotional arc is Creon's objective in actor's terms in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the term emotional arc describes a path of emotional growth and often spiritual awareness of a character. People and situations may activate this growth. Through the arc the character receives significant insights.