Creon's Catharsis In Sophocles Antigone

Catharsis: The tragic hero is the one who goes through the catharsis because of the tragic flaw. Creon's tragic flaw is pride. He refused to agree that Antigone did the right thing in burying her brother (she followed the laws of the gods and social law that dictated she insure that her brother is buried). Creon wanted only that she obey his decree (and ignore the gods and social law). He realizes he's wrong when his son kills himself (his son tried to convince Creon that he was wrong) and when his wife kills herself. He's lost everything (two people who tried to sway him and died, in effect, because he would not be moved). That's his catharsis. Depending on the translation, Creon's final words are very telling "Fate has brought all my pride

And while death is the ultimate loss, we learn nothing from HER death, and that's why she isn't the tragic hero.

Anagnorisis: Creon finally realizes that his hubris has not let him effectively deal with his conflicts. Creon has his epiphany and even says, “I have been rash and foolish.” He finally acknowledges that he has let his pride take over for the worse. Creon also realizes that it was his fault Haimon dies. He would not listen to Haimon and take his advice.

Hubris: Alluding to execessive pride, was well portrayed by Antigone. When Creon first asks

Antigone if she knew the consequences of burying Polyneices, Antigone, out of her over blown pride, knowing fully well the consequences of her actions, rudely responds, 'Of course I knew. Was it not publicly proclaimed?' While honorable in her actions,

Antigone’s words are full of pride that turn to stubborn anger, and a bit short sighted. As much as it thoughtful of her to feel pride standing up for her family, her brazen attitude towards death masks the fact that she broke the law and her attitude ultimately digs

She is stubborn when it comes to her options between honoring her brother and respecting her Uncle's law. She does feel she is doing the right thing when it comes to burying her brother because god's law, the law that says the dead must be honored and buried so their souls can travel to Underworld, is the law she follows. BUT not once does Antigone speak to her Uncle respectfully or calmly. Her pride overtakes her and carries her to her death. She listens to no one's advice, and simply takes fate into her own hands by hanging herself in the end, not once thinking about her fiancé or her sister Ismene's feelings. When Antigone answere Creon with the statement, “ Of course I knew, was it not publicly claimed.” The was an error in judgement.

Peripeteia: Antigone’s peripeteia is when she is sentenced to death by Creon. It was the EXPIATION that she had to make for burying Polynices. She broke his decree by burying Polynices and Creon overreacted. His punishment was HEINOUS when it should not have been. Although Antigone's peripeteia was tragic, she did not deserve everything because she was only trying to do the right thing by honoring her