Creons Tragic Flaw

In the play Antigone by Sophocles, Creon demonstrates a superiority of man’s law over divine law which later ends in his downfall. Creon is portrayed as the true tragic hero through the tragic actions that he commits to those close to him. As a result, Creons actions along with his hubris foreshadow the deaths of those he sorely cares for. The death of Antigone followed by both his son and wife seemed to fill Creon with guilt and remorse. Due to his superior level as King of Thebes Creon looks down upon those around him and is perceived as being more superior to every Theban. When Creon interacts with god’s law, their conflicting motivations blind Creon to his misjudgments which contribute to his tragic flaw. Much of Creons tragic flaw is because of the hubris inside him that consumes him. Throughout the play we are aware that he has an excessive pride along with arrogance, believing that he knows best and is all knowing (is not willing to compromise). We come across much of Creon’s …show more content…
“My mind is made; 'twas I imprisoned her, and I will set her free. Now I believe it is by the law of heaven that man must live”, this shows Creon’s anagnorosis moment. During this scene we see a change in him and Creon admits his flaw caused his downfall. After the anagnorosis Creon is faced with his Peripeteia and during this we are faced with the own death of his niece, his son, and wife. As stated in Creon’s words,” Lead me away. I have been rash and foolish. I have killed my son and wife. I look for comfort; my comfort lies here dead. Whatever my hands have touched has come to nothing. Fate has brought all my pride to a thought of dust.”Creon is showing his guilt and remorse in these lines. As he says he realizes that he has been” rash and foolish” and realized his errors. This later cause Creon to become humbled along with his pride not being as big as it was