Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher, watched a lot of plays and made many

observations, specifically about the common structure of the tragedy. Aristotle recognized four

steps that every tragic hero had in common: Starting in a high place, making a fatal error,

catastrophe, and then catharsis of both the character and in the audience. Antigone’s tragic

hero isn’t stated clearly, but following the four steps, we can see that Creon, king of Thebes, is

the tragic hero of the story.

As king of Thebes, Creon begins in a very high place. He was referred to as “Creon, son of

Menoeceus” many times throughout the play (12). Menoeceus was a legend to Thebes,
sacrificing himself to end a plague in the city. This, along with the fact that Creon is king,

establishes him as a man of high power and respect.

Creon’s fatal error was condemning anyone who buried Polynices to death. “Who does

any of these shall surely die,” (3) was Creon’s way of handling those who did not comply. This

led to the catastrophe. Haemon soon went to rescue Antigone, trapped alive in a tomb. Upon

opening the walls, he saw Antigone dead and soon thereafter killed himself. The Messenger

brought news to Thebes quickly: “Haemon is no more… self-slaughtered; wroth with his father

for the maiden slain,” (63). Antigone, Haemon, and then Euridice all had killed themselves in the

aftermath of Creon’s actions. “Woe is me! To none else can they lay it, this guilt, but to me!”

cried Creon. This emotional release from a previously cold character is the catharsis needed to

balance out one’s humors, as well as a definite change in Creon’s life going forward.