"The greatest grief's are those we cause ourselves."

In Sophocles’ Antigone we explore the concept of the tragic hero.  Sophocles once said “The greatest grief’s are those we cause ourselves,” meaning the difficult obstacles we face are often a result of our own actions.  Antigone’s character in the play embodies the tragic hero through her confidence.  She is headstrong and determined, but comes face to face with conflict, which ultimately brings about her downfall.  We also see a character possessing the traits of a tragic hero from a modern story teller, JK Rowling.   

             The tragic hero is usually seen as the central, or main, character of the story.  They are not perfect, actually the opposite, displaying deflects and flaws.  These include poor judgment, and their great pride and weakness which ultimately bring about their downfall.  During this said downfall, they elicit pity and even fear from the audience. 

    In Sophocles play, Antigone, the classic tragic hero is perceived to be Antigone.  Her fate coincides with the fate of her family.  This could be seen as one of her flaws.  Antigone’s father was predicted to marry his mother and kill his own father.  Although actions were made to prevent this from happening the prophesy ended up coming true.  The Chorus says “Lucky are those whose lives know no taste of sorrow.  But for those whose house has been shaken by God there is never cessation of ruin; it steals on generation after generation within a breed,” (Sophocles 637-642).  In other words the misfortunes that this family has thus far experienced will continue.  It’s a part of Antigone’s history and is bound to affect her in some way.   Though Antigone knows what Polyneices had done was wrong, she understands she must do what is right.  The consequences are not what matter to her.  She’s not perfect and neither is her family.  Polyneices did go against their people and should be punished, but he is still family and in the end family is most important.  The love and strength she feels for her brother ultimately lead her toward her death

Antigone’s character is so devoted to her brother and to satisfying the gods that she will stop at nothing to do what she thinks is right.  When she tells her sister, Ismene, she will bury their brother against Creon’s wishes Ismene replies with “At least do not speak of this act to anyone else; bury him in secret; I will be silent, too.”(Sophocles 97-98).  Ismene, unlike her sister is fearful and loyal to Creon.  She doesn’t want to dishonor the king even though she knows it should be done.  Antigone is more extroverted than Ismene.  She proclaims to Ismene.   “At least he is my brother—and yours too, though you deny him.  I will not prove false to him” (Antigone 51-52) She is exemplifying her bravery and outspoken mind.  “You are so headstrong.  Creon has forbidden it,” (Ismene 53) here Ismene pleads with her sister, siding with their uncle.  It shows how even though others begrudge her of her decision Antigone follows her heart anyway.  She refuses to let anyone stop her, even her own family.

A tragic hero is considered tragic because they eventually have a downfall. Their flaws are what lead them down the path of their own destruction.  Antigone’s ignorance and or altruistic characteristics clouded her judgment, therefore making said downfall her own fault.  Antigone took advantage of her freedom of choice, disregarding Creon’s ruling and respecting her brother, resulting in her descent..

            The main and obvious conflict in the story that contributes to Antigone’s downfall is between Antigone and Creon.  He rules that no one is to neither give Polyneices a proper burial nor mourn the loss of his life.  He shall lie in the street to be left for the dogs and the birds and for all to see.  “I would not count any enemy of my country as a friend—because of what I know, that she it is which give us our security,” (Creon 205-207) Creon explains his reasoning for his ruling.  He compares his nephew, Polyneices, to that of an enemy of the state whom wouldn’t be given the respect a friend would receive.  He says this to emphasize his point that Polyneices is a traitor and should be treated as such.  Creon is determined to let this man suffer for his wrongdoing.  Antigone however, still sees him as her brother and believes he has as much right to a proper good-bye as Etocles.  You can’t shun a man based on one mistake he’s made in his lifetime. 

As the story progresses one might even say that Creon is also a tragic hero.  He, just like Antigone, believes the decision he has made is the right one.  Creon is determined to keep his word on the harsh punishment any violator of the law will have to face.  Antigone does end up burying Polyneices like she planned and is caught.  Creon condemns her to death despite her being betrothed to his son Haemon.  He is set in his decision and nothing will change his mind.  When Creon is warned about the effect his decisions will have on the future of Thebes he tries to undo his wrongs.  In the end Antigone, Haemon and Creon’s wife Eurydice have committed suicide.  Because she defied the law Antigone was succumbed to death, and because Creon chose not to listen to the opinion of others he lost his family.  Creon did what he believed was best for the people, and Antigone decided to do right by her family.  Both determined and poignant in their beliefs, they led themselves to their ultimate fate.

The story of Antigone reminds me of a modern day tragic hero, from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, Severus Snape.  He was a struggling character.  Growing up his parents neglected him and he was bullied by his peers.  He fell in love, and even though the girl ended up with someone else he did everything he could to protect her son, Harry.  Like Antigone, Snape defied those he was close with to be there for someone he truly cared for.  Harry’s father happened to be someone who had tortured Severus as a boy, and since he resembled his father, Severus himself made Harry’s time in school miserable.  Snape had gone to the dark side at one point in his life so throughout the series he doesn’t seem like a trustworthy character.  In the end we find out that all those times that it seemed Snape had gone out of his way to hurt Harry, he was really saving his life.  Despite loosing his true love not only to another man but to death as well Severus risked his own life to keep an eye out for her only son.  We also see this in Antigone in that she has lost her whole family and is now giving up her life to defend what she believes in.  Although they both die a tragic death, they show us that love is more powerful than anything else.  It’s a fight worth fighting for.

            The tragic hero is a misunderstood character.  They’re more realistic in the sense that they do posses faults and are therefore more relatable.  Antigone is a great example of a tragic hero because she dies for her brother and her beliefs despite those who were against her.