Antigone is full of important literary elements for students to explore. One of these elements is the tragic hero, a protagonist who seems to be ill-fated, and destined for doom. In this play, Antigone is one tragic hero as she blindly pursues justice. Creon is another, as his struggle with Antigone leads himself and many others to their ruin and deaths.
The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, first articulated the specific attributes or principles of a tragic hero. For the storyboard above, students can use a template to storyboard the qualities that make Antigone, a tragic hero. The finished product outlines each of Aristotle's principles with a detailed explanation of the specific attributes.
| ATTRIBUTE | DESCRIPTION | Example from Antigone |
|---|---|---|
| Hamartia | Hero's Flaw that Causes Downfall | Antigone believes she can know the will of the gods, and acts in direct contradiction of Creon’s decree. She wants to be a martyr. |
| Hubris | Excessive Pride | Antigone sets herself above the laws of her king, unapologetically defying Creon. |
| Peripeteia | Reversal of Fortune | Tiresias convinces Creon to free Antigone. |
| Anagnorisis | Moment of Critical Discovery | The audience knows what Antigone does not: Creon is on his way to pardon her. |
| Nemesis | Fate that Cannot be Avoided | Antigone hangs herself before Creon can arrive. |
| Catharsis | Audience's Feeling of Pity or Fear After the Hero's Fall | The audience is sad that Antigone died for burying her brother, and for her pride. They recognize the same temptations to righteously defy authority in their own lives. |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows how Antigone can be considered a tragic hero.