Antigone – Essay 9

Aristotle defines a tragical wizard as having advanced terra firma, nobility of soul, ability to have set-apart will, having tragic flaw, also somebody we are able to empathise with, a person who suffers from reversal of fortune, achieving enlightenment, accepting responsibility for his/her fall and being able to die bravely. I am going to use Aristotles definition of a tragic hero to support say to the roughage Antigone, in the touch Antigone. To me, the tragic hero in the play is Antigone. Antigone, who is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, becomes infuriated with Creon, who is the poove of Thebes and her uncle.Creon will not allow Antigones brother, Polynices, to be buried. Antigone tells her sister, Ismene, that she will stick up Creons ruling even though she knows the consequences, which is finale. The first on Aristotles tragic hero list is that the instance should be of high estate/class. Antigone comes from high estate she was considered a princess and was to be married to Creons son, Haemon. Though Antigone came from high estate/class, she smooth did not carry out the power to make changes therefore, Antigones character of having high estate, yet no power, complies a little with Aristotles tragic hero.Second on Aristotles tragic hero list, was that the character should have nobility of soul or tragic greatness. Antigone showed nobility of soul because she stood-up for what she believed in knowing the outcomes would apostrophize her life. An example of her nobility was when she first told her sister, Ismene, of what she was going to do. Antigone said, Ill bury him myself. And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I think that this quote shows nobility of soul, as fountainhead as, a tragic greatness.She saw it as glory to die for doing the right thing. (Line 85) Third on Aristotles tragic hero list, was that the character should have free will and make important choices. From the beginning of the play, until Antigone s death, she kept her free will, as well as, making important choices for herself. When Antigone had gotten caught by the guards while burying her brother, she was interpreted to Creon to announce what she had done. There is a quote in there that shows how free willed of a person she was, Antigone says to Creon Of row I did it.It wasnt Zeus, not in the least, who made this proclamationnot to meThese lawsI was not about to break them, not out of fear of some mans wounded pride, and face the retribution of the gods. This quote by Antigone shows that she was capable of making her own choices, whether she would follow mans law or the gods. She also showed that she was not afraid of the choices she made for herself. (Line 500) Aristotles fourth tragic hero tilt is that the character should have a tragic flaw or hamartia. Antigone made plenty of mistakes, her first one was defying Creons ruling. Though it was understandable why she made that choice, it probably would have spared her from going through all this smother if she would have just asked Creon for a proper burial. Unfortunately, Antigones stubbornness gets in the way of her thinking and results in her performing off of her emotions. Also, when it comes to Antigones death, if she would have not taken the matters into her own hand again, Creon had made the decision to free her and bring in her brother the proper burial.Yet, it is understandable that she does not want Creon to get satisfaction off of her death, as well as, not knowing that Creon would change his mind and actually side with her. Aristotles fifth tragic hero tilt is that the character should be someone with whom we can empathize. Antigone had this down packed with the audience. The whole city empathized with Antigone and felt that No woman ever deserved death less, and such a brutal death for such a glorious action. She, with her own dear brother lying in his blood she couldnt bear to leave him dead, unburied, food for the wild dogs or wheeling vultures.Death? She deserves a glowing waft of gold I feel that quote right there sums it up. (Line 775) The sixth tragic hero listing that Aristotle feels is necessary, is that the character should suffer a reversal of fortune (peripeteia), falling from a pinnacle to the depths. Antigone was considered a princess and to be married to the kings son, Haemon. After being caught by the guards, she was sentenced to death by the king, Creon. Now she is looked upon as a slave, not as a princess. She is treated like trash and looked down upon. She went from being of royalty to quickly being nothing.Antigone definitely serves the sixth tragic hero listing. The seventh tragic hero listing that Aristotle has is that the character should achieve anagnorisis or enlightenment should accept responsibility for his/her fall. Antigone takes responsibility when she is first brought to Creon and asked if she was the one to give Polynices a proper burial, Antigone responded with I did it . I dont deny a thing. Then Antigone shows her common land with humanity when she is arguing with Creon about the citizens feeling like she did about his ruling.For example, Creon says You alone, of all the people in Thebes, regard things that way. Antigone replies with They see it that way but defer to you and keep their tongues in leash. (Lines 492, 570) The last trait that Aristotle has listed that the tragic hero should carry is that the character should die bravely. Antigone died for love, for respect and for doing what she and many others believed what was right. She did not bravely give her life to defy one mans wants it just unfortunately came down to her having to do that.Antigone gave up bridal-song, the bridal-bed, denied all experience of marriage, raising childrendeserted by loved ones, struck by fate just to give her brother, Polynices a proper burial. I think she clearly defines dying bravely. (Line 1009) In conclusion, the tragic hero in the play Antigone is h erself, Antigone. Antigone shows how her character meets the requirements of Aristotles tragic hero, as well as, many other aspects that we find in a common hero. Antigone, from the beginning to the end of the play, lived and died for what she believed in.