In the play Antigone, there is a particular debate that is presented. This debate can confuse the reader to who the main character is in the Greek drama, and why the play was preformed. Many assume that simply because the play is named Antigone, that she is the main character. However, evidence supports that Creon, not Antigone, is the main character and tragic hero of this play.
I believe that Creon is the main character because he is constantly in debate throughout out the entire play. Creon, unlike Antigone, interacts with all of the characters making him the central character to the play. Creon initiates the tragedy by establishing a punishment, that he feels is appropriate, to serve his nieces rebellious crime. When discussing the nature of a tragedy, the person is usually born high in the ranks of society and must also possess a tragic flaw, which originates from within and usually manifests itself through poor judgment or extreme arrogance. Creon possesses poor judgment based on his infallible statement that his decree is more important than that of the gods, revealing his ignorance. Therefore Creon's tragic flaw was his hubris or his excessive pride and arrogance in the face of divine powers. Creon's downfall began when he refused to provide the divine right of proper burial to Polyneices, Antigone's brother. The tragedy then became complete when Creon condemned Antigone for her opposition to his law. In Creon's case, the tragedy would not only involve the individual but his family too. Tragedy develops mainly because of one course of action the character chooses over another. Through Creon's dictatorship, Antigone commits suicide then following with Haemon his son, and finally Eurydice his grief stricken wife. Therefore, the catastrophe among Creon's family is essentially linked back to his decisions and his authoritarianism reign. .
In Ancient Greece, freedom of religion was encouraged to be exercised throughout the city-states.