A tragedy is a poem in which the protagonist, the tragic hero, is shown and falls. In Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone is the true tragic hero. It may not be completely clear, but when looked at closely Antigone fits Aristotle's mold of the tragic hero easily. She fits into the aspects of having a high position, being too good nor too bad, and having a single flaw that brings out her demise. Antigone gains respect throughout the play and manages to lose it all in the end.
Antigone is of a high social position in the play. She is powerful in the community and backed by many of the citizens of Thebes. She is not the strongest person like Creon, but she shows many examples of her social power. Antigone is a strong influence against Creon criticizing his attempts to be stronger than the gods. Through her actions, Creon is put in a position in which any action for or against Antigone's cause will be looked upon negatively by the townspeople. If Creon puts Antigone to her death the people will believe Creon thinks he is stronger than the gods. If he lets her live the people will see him as a weak, bluffing ruler. Due to Antigone's closeness with the people, Creon loses in whatever decision he makes. Antigone is popular, sociable, and outgoing in the community. .
Antigone is not the best person nor the worst. She feels like she must honor her brother Polynices by giving him a proper burial and sending him to the afterlife in Hades. She is not afraid to lose her life and she is proud of herself, courageous and determined. Antigone follows the laws of gods before those of men and she has a strong sense of her past due to her knowledge the tragedy of her father, Oedipus. Antigone knows her family has been cursed from the beginning, or so it seems, therefore she is not afraid of death. Ismene would like to bury Polynices, but she does not possess the courage of Antigone. Ismene and Antigone are total opposites, weakness separated by courageousness.
