Creon's Tragic Flaw

Creon’s Tragic Flaw When a flaw overcomes a person with dignity, honor, and leadership, it becomes tragic. This tragic flaw conquers a man who has great leadership skills, and eventually causes death once it has taken over completely. This man, by definition a Tragic Hero, experiences a downfall from such a flaw. Creon, the Tragic Hero of Antigone, by Sophocles, possesses such a flaw. Of royalty and filled with pride, one of his nephews …

…itself when he sentences Antigone, ignores Haemon, and rejects the prophet. Although he eventually comes to the realization of his error, it has ultimately become too late and the consequences are indefinitely reaped. Creon’s pride has so possessed and conquered him, that he realizes he may no longer revert the outcome, and states, “The laws of the gods are mighty, and a man must serve them to the last day of his life!” (p. 973).