Saturday, September 15, 2012

In the play Antigone, which characters have hamartia and hubris?

In Antigone, Creon has hamartia and exhibits hubris.  Creon is a new king in Thebes, so he is a bit insecure regarding his position among the people.  As a result, Creon gets wrapped up in proving to the people of Thebes that he is worthy of his position.  So even if he thinks that Antigone should be pardoned, he maintains that he cannot appear weak in front of the people of Thebes, and thus he maintains his position.  Eventually, his own son Haemon comes to appeal to him and tells Creon that the popular opinion is that Antigone be set free; however, Creon will not be swayed.  He is so proud of his decision to maintain his ruling even in the face of doubt, and this decision lands him in the realm of having hubris--too much pride that blinds his better judgment.  Creon's hubris is his hamartia--the quality which leads to his ultimate downfall in the play.

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