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Character analysis in the tragedy of othello
Character analysis in the tragedy of othello
Character analysis in the tragedy of othello
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A tragic hero is a character who makes a judgement unavoidably leads to their own eradication. One may usually look for revenge or justice that may influence each character's choice. He has the tragic flaws of stubbornness and too much self-pride, and these flaws are struck with bad luck. Someone having good and bad sides, a tragic flaw, becoming aware of his mistakes and failing miserably in the end. In the play, Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon is portrayed as the tragic hero.
Creon is the tragic hero because he has the most affected downfall in the Play. Many of his statements reveal his personality including his flaws. When the faith of Thebes is put in his hands, Creon says "I am the kind of man who can't and never could abide the tongue-tied ruler who through fear backs away from sound advice"(349). It shows his strong sense of
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As Antigone defies Creon's law, she is cast into a pool of danger between what she believes is right and what the state's law decrees is right. In the prologue, Antigone and Ismene are having a debate on whether to bury Polyneices or not because of the law. Antigone feels the guilt because “[their] two dear brothers: Creon is burying one to desecate the other” (345). Creon considers burying Polyneices is a crime because he committed treason. Antigone and Ismene had lost their whole family. After Antigone decides to bury Polyneices, Creon finds out and sentences her. Creon also wants Haemon to realize that Antigone is not the right person for his love and is trying to convince him to not marry her. Antigone has only her sister and fiancé. Once Antigone has killed herself, she had not had the chance to realize who she would end up hurting. After Antigone hung herself, Haemon ended up stabbing himself to death, yet also Haemon’s mom, Eurydice kills herself over her son's death. Antigone had an overall more extreme
A tragic hero is an individual who possesses a fatal flaw in their character that will bring about their own destruction or suffering. Aristotle believed that “A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall. (Aristotle #1)” This Ancient Greek philosopher also believed that each tragic hero has four characteristics. The first of these characteristics is that a tragic hero is born with either wisdom or high integrity, and in some cases both.
The Deaths of Antigone and Creon Antigone and Creon are the main characters of the play Antigone written by Sophocles. Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, who was a major figure in ancient Greek myth. Oedipus accidentally killed his father and married his mother. Because of that act, Oedipus ended up cursing his family and died a horrible death. After his death, his sons inherited his kingdom and in a power struggle ended up killing each other.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I am here today to argue the title of tragic hero in the play Antigone by Sophocles. I would like to start off by saying that it will be extremely difficult for me to have the passion that I usually have because of my client. My client's ruthless leadership disgusts me in the worst way. But I will still stand in front of you, the jury, and defend my client. As I said before I am here to argue the title of tragic hero in the play Antigone. I could see that some of you are dazzled by the word "tragic hero". No need to worry for I will enlighten you. The great Aristotle was one of the first men who defined a tragic hero. His definition is not a rule for what tragedy should be, but it is a description of what he believed tragedy was. According to Aristotle a tragic hero must have these qualities to qualify as one. A tragic hero is neither good nor bad. Along with being neutral in his stance, a tragic hero must also be born into royalty. A tragic hero could never be of the common folk. In addition to this a tragic hero must suffer a large fall from good grace. By this he means that a fall that brings him "down to earth". A tragic hero also has some type of flaw. Whether it is a character flaw such as pride and ego or the character must make an error of judgment or a mistake. With the tragic flaw the character must also recognize the flaw that they have made. In other words, they have to be enlightened. The audience is then supposed to feel pity and fear for the tragic hero because of his tumultuous journey. The tragic hero also is supposed to inspire catharsis in the audience.
Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero is someone of great importance or royalty. The hero must go through something terrible such as a relative’s death. We must feel what this character is feeling throughout the story. Aristotle also said that a tragic hero scan be defeated by a tragic flaw, such as hubris or human pride. In Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone, both Creon and Antigone are tragic heroes.
He anxiously awaits the day when he can call Antigone his wife, but because she defies King Creon, she deprives him of that opportunity. At first, Haemon tries to be loyal to his father. He tells Creon that he supports his decision to execute Antigone. However, as the conversation continues, he reveals that the community members are starting to renounce Creon’s decision. As the pain of potentially losing his fiancé becomes too much, he also renounces his father’s decision, arguing that the Gods would not condone it. In an act against his father, Haemon hurries to the cave Antigone was exiled to, in hopes to save her, but instead finds her hanging from the veil she was supposed to wear on her wedding day. Instantly overwhelmed with grief, Haemon, “[bewails] the loss of his bride” (Sophocles 152). Similarly, to Ismene’s case, Haemon cannot picture himself living on Earth without Antigone by his side, and commits suicide. In Antigone’s desire to appease the Gods, she abandons her loved ones, and causes them great suffering. This could have been avoided has she not pursued her desire to bury
Aristotle once said, regarding his principles that a certain character is a tragic hero, "A man cannot become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall." This quotation is an accurate statement regarding the actions between Creon in the beginning of the play, and at the end once he has lost his family. A tragic hero is defined as a character of noble stature, the hero is imperfect allowing the audience to relate to him, as well as the hero’s downfall is caused by his own fate, leading to the punishment exceeding the crime and the character’s realization leading to the fall. The audience experiences a catharsis at the end of the play, which allows the audience feel that society is “right” again. All six of these requirements of a tragic hero are present with the character, Creon, and it presents to readers that Creon is a tragic hero.
Over time, history has given society many to whom we call true heroes. There are many reasons these heroes have been looked up to such as: bravery, dedication, confidence, and inspiration. However, a tragic hero requires a few different qualities. Aristotle describes a tragic hero as a “member of royalty,” someone who “must fall from tremendous good fortune,” and someone who creates pity for him or herself (“Connections: A Theory” 2000). In Greek drama, Sophocles’ Antigone and Euripides’ Medea both contain several possible tragic heroes including Medea, Jason, and Creon. More specifically, in Antigone Creon exemplifies the qualities of a tragic hero best due to his prominent power as king of Thebes, the way he holds strong to his stubborn pride, and the sympathy felt for him in his tragic downfall.
By definition, a tragic hero is a protagonist that due to some tragic flaw loses everything he has. Throughout history, literature has always been filled with main characters possessing some tragic flaw. In Macbeth, Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his enormous ambition to become king. In Hamlet, Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his need for revenge for the death of his father at the hands of his uncle. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s tragic flaw is his need to be remembered. In the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, Beowulf also has a tragic flaw, excessive pride and the search for fame, which ultimately leads to his demise.
As George Orwell once mentioned,” A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him”. Similarly in Sophocles, Antigone, King Creon can be regarded as a tragic hero despite of his staged villain role; because it is his arrogance and power that destroys him. Although one can argue that the hero of the play is Antigone and that the play is centered on her journey through pain and suffering; they must come to realization that the true hero is Creon for he goes through the most physical and mental pain and must suffer an irreversible spiral of doom. Like several other tragic heroes’ that fit Aristotle’s depiction, the hero embodies the characteristics of having a noble birth, tragic flaw, reversal of fortune, and finally a realization of his/her mistakes.
A tragic hero can be defined as someone with a substantial personality flaw that causes them to endure great suffering with a reversal of character near the end. Antigone possesses certain traits that could potentially render her the tragic hero, but Creon truly embodies all characteristics. Creon is the tragic hero in “Antigone” due to several qualities he displays throughout the play; he can’t accept a diminished view of himself, he endures great suffering and he is enlightened in the end. In the beginning of the play Creon presents a strong confident image, although it becomes apparent self-doubt is present due to his inability to accept a diminished view of himself. Whilst giving the orders to murder anyone who tries to bury Antigone’s brother, Creon refuses the advice of his trusted council because they suggest he may be in the wrong.
Since the play’s inception, there has always existed a contention concerning the true hero of Sophocles’ Antigone. It is a widely held belief that Antigone must be the main character simply because she and the drama share name. This is, of course, a very logical assumption. Certainly Sophocles must have at least meant her to be viewed as the protagonist, else he would not have given her the play’s title. Analytically speaking, however, Creon does seem to more categorically fit the appellation of “Tragic Hero.” There is no doubt as to the nature of the work, that being tragedy. Along with this genre comes certain established prerequisites, and Creon is the only character that satisfactorily fits them all.
Antigone, which was written by Sophocles, is possibly the first written play that still exists today (www.imagi... 1). There is much controversy between who the 'tragic hero' is in the play. Some people say Antigone, some say Creon, others even say Heamon. I believe Creon displays all of the characteristics of a 'tragic hero'. He receives compassion through the audience, yet recognizes his weaknesses, and his downfalls from his own self-pride, stubbornness, and controlling demands. He is the true protagonist.
Antigone is a Greek tragic piece that stresses the use of power and morality versus the law written by Sophocles. Both Antigone and Creon, the main characters in the play, could represent the tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character who is known for being dignified and has a flaw that assists to his or her downfall. In my opinion, Creon best qualifies for being the tragic hero and fitting the definition read in the previous sentence. The things he said, did, and the comments that were made by those around him show how a man with everything could lose it all due to his own behavior.
"Whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, the gift of eloquence, he and no one else, and character too…such men, I tell you, spread them open—you will find them empty" (791-794). In the play “Antigone”, Sophocle illustrated the definition of a tragic hero. In the beginning of the set, Creon was portrayed as a just leader. He had good, rational reasons for his laws and punishments. But by the end of the play, Creon’s hubris had taken over. The bravery of Antigone's rebellious act caused Creon to bring out his hidden characteristics. Antigone, Creon’s niece, experienced the heartbreaking death of her two brothers. Eteocles had been buried. However, the traditional burial of Polyneices had been prohibited. Enraged with a broken heart,
A tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his own destruction. Aristotle once said that "A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall.” A tragic hero must possess specific characteristics. Both Macbeth and Oedipus share characteristics that categorize them as a tragic hero.