Pride

Pride has caused the death of many, the characters in Antigone are no exception.  The hubris decisions made by two characters causes the death of several.  The first act of pride was Antigone’s act of defiance against Creon.  The pride she has in her family and tradition sets off a series of unfortunate events.  She cannot stand the disrespect that faces her family and explains that “even if [she dies] in the act [of burying her brother], that death will be a glory.” (86)  This foreshadows her eventual death at the end of the tragedy.  Her suicide is also result of Creon’s pride.  His desire to rule and not be contested results in decisions that also lead to the tragic ending.

Creon focuses on his own ideas and needs
not what will benefit others

As Tiresias predicts Creon “[surrenders] one born of [his] own loins” because he has “no business with the dead.” (1184, 1191)  Creon needs to “lay [his] pride bare to the blows of ruin” so he can resolve his mistakes.  Unfortunately, this realization comes too late because his son has already made his decision.  Haemon and Eurydice’s death is a result of Creon’s pride.  He is willing to admit he is the reason for their death and reconciles his mistakes.  Does this make Creon the tragic hero?  Creon has a hamartia of hubris, suffers a great loss, and realizes his flaw.  The reader is lead to believe that Antigone is our hero but she does not fully fill the requirements.  Creon teaches the audience to be wary of pride and shows the effects of this deadly quality.