thing: I have no use for him. (203-205). Again, his high standards and honor for his country are shown in great detail: I could never stand by silent, watching destruction march against our city, putting safety to rout (207-208). Creon shows a high sense of morality when he properly buried Eteocles, and then is showing his noble character by not burying Polyneices, who attacked Creons country; again his value of his country is shown. Creon is a good ruler because he like any king would punish evil and reward good. Creon is seen by the chorus to have goodness and leadership. (Lines 691). The chorus praises Creon for his loyalty to the country after the great war, they look forward to his kingly rule and nobility in the future by saying, . . . Creon, the new man for the great new day(Lines 173). Love of his country and his punishment of Polyneices show this great nobility and loyalty talked about by the chorus. Clearly Creon qualifies under the first criterion of being a tragic hero.The second criterion for being a tragic hero is that one is neither purely evil nor pre-eminently great. Although Creon possesses many good kingly qualities, as far a honor and nobility, his imperfection lies in his excessive pride and hubris, as well as his self indulgence as King of Thebes. Creon shows his power and pride when talking to Antiogone and Ismene. Creon is putting himself on the level of the gods, by showing how easy he can take and give people their lives. This pride is shown when Ismene and Antigone speak to Creon, Ismene says, How can I live alone, without her? (638) And Creon responds by saying, Her? Dont even mention her - she no longer exists. (Lines 639-640). When Haemon, Creons son, tries to convince his father not to kill Antigone, Creons ego and pride come into full context when he says, So, men our age, were to be lectured, are we? - schooled by a boy his age? (Lines 812 -814). Creon is showing that he can in no way lear...
