In the play Antigone the playwright Sophocles presents Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero in the character King Creon. ... Creon displays the elements of a tragic hero throughout his development as a tyrant The first distinction between a tragic hero and a non-hero, according to Aristotle's definition, is a fatal flaw that leads to the character's demise. ... It can be argued that the protagonist Antigone is the tragic hero because Aristotle states in Poetics that a tragic hero is "a good person who does great things" yet Creon is not a good person because he puts the law ...

• Word Count: 1315
• Approx Pages: 5

Both stories consist of a tragic hero, Creon and Joe Keller in this instance. According to Aristotle's Poetics, a tragic hero is someone not all good or all bad, and whose downfall is caused by a tragic flaw or "hamartia". ... Creon and Keller are both tragic heroes that fit into Aristotle's model, whose downfall is caused by greed, excessive pride and a belated recognition of their flaws. ... Tragic heroes are all similar to the common man, who is anything but perfect. ... This leaves Creon as the only possible tragic figure in Antigone. ...

• Word Count: 1587
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero is someone who is highly renowned and prosperous with a tragic flaw that is responsible for his or her downfall. Creon's potential for greatness as a ruler, destructive pride, recognition of error, and tragic downfall accurately apply to Aristotle's definition; thus proving he is the tragic hero. ... The flaw that Creon made by not burying Polyneisces and punishing Antigone makes him the tragic hero. ... This is another characteristic of a tragic hero. " but it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride."" ... In conclusion, King Cr...

• Word Count: 1313
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

He is the figure most akin to the classical Aristotelian definition of the traditional tragic hero. In Aristotle's book, Poetics, the philosopher defines a tragic hero as someone of high status, flawed, afflicted with hamartia (tragic flaw) and hubris (arrogance), is punished severely, and in the end gains wisdom. ... The character of Creon is presented in direct opposition with the character of Antigone, but it would be premature to pass immediate judgment on Creon and call him a villain. ... According to Aristotle, the tragedy that affects the classical tragic hero is the result of hi...

• Word Count: 1647
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Willy Loman is indeed a pathetic and tragic hero of Death of a Salesman, for his problems stem from his own delusions, not unlike Oedipus. ... The first of these, reversal, requires a reformation of the tragic hero as they identify their flaw and fall from their position in society. ... Another aspect of what Aristotle believed made a perfect tragedy is character, obviously, that of the tragic hero. ... His remarkable similarity to Oedipus classifies him as a tragic hero, yet leaves the reader questioning his lasting literary value. "Insistence upon the rank of the tragic hero, or the so-...

• Word Count: 1343
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Oedipus' unyielding desire to uncover the truth about Laius' murder and the mystery surrounding his own birth led him to the tragic realization of his horrific deeds. ... He could have endured the plague, but out of compassion for his suffering people, he had Creon go to Delphi. ... In order for Sophocles' play to be categorized as tragic, the tragic hero had to have some sort of a flaw. The hero's tragic flaws are the qualities, which ultimately lead to his downfall. ... Therefore the last act of destruction was caused by Oedipus' free will, but his tragic fate came a...

• Word Count: 1264
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The tragic nature of the play and the themes are conveyed not only through these features, but also through the role of the chorus and dramatic techniques including irony. Oedipus is seen as a tragic hero in the play, a principal character, in a position of social importance being the King of Thebes. ... This worsened the tragedy, adding to his humiliation in end, as a result of his thoughtless accusations against Creon and Teiresias. ... The tragic nature of the play, is not only brought out by Oedipus's characteristic flaws, but also by the way he was treated by the gods. ...

• Word Count: 1270
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate