Sophocles Antigone - Antigone and Creon, the Powerful Protagonists Es

The Two Protagonists of Antigone In the classic model of dramatic structure, ii characters move the action of the play from introduction to climax to resolution with their participation. adept of these characters is the protagonist the other is the obstructer. The protagonist is generally regarded as the good guy, and the opposition is the bad guy. In Sophocles play Antigone, the lines between protagonist and antagonist argon blurred. In the Greek tradition, the title character is the protagonist, but in this play, the hypothetical antagonist Creon also displays characteristics of the protagonist. Websters Dictionary defines protagonist as one who takes the spark advance part in a drama hence, one who takes lead in some great scene, enterprise, conflict, or the like. At a cursory glance, Antigone seems to outmatch fit this description. Her actions and the following consequences certainly form the plot of the play. She first decides to take back her departed brother in viol ation of Creons edict. When soldiers of Thebes unbury the body, she returns to bury it a second time. She is caught in the act and brought before Creon, who sentences her to die. She commits suicide in prison as a final attempt to thwart Creons plans. ontigones refusal to leave her brothers body unburied even after she has buried it once reveals her stubborn streak, a commonality trait among protagonists. The fact that Creon is on his way to release her from jail when her dead body is discovered is yet a nonher example of stubbornness. She will not give in to adversity or strife under whatever circumstances, which is some(prenominal) admirable and, in the case of Antigone, fatal. Creon is portrayed as a strict leader who believes in adherence to his laws over those of the gods. He is not... ...he plot, and Creon directs the consequences. Antigone has conflict with Creon the antagonist, and Creon has conflict with Antigone the antagonist. Antigone dies a tragic death because of her flaws, and Creon realizes his mistakes and suffers greatly because of his flaws. Both Creon and Antigone be protagonists. They are both main characters who are essential to the plot, and they both oblige the traditional role. Sophocles may not have intended audiences to see both characters as protagonists, but that is the logical conclusion. Now, if one were to ask for the real antagonist to come forward-moving, one would most likely realize that the real antagonists were forward already. Works CitedSophocles. Antigone. Trans. Robert Fagles. Literature and the Writing Process. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day, and Robert Funk. 6th. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ Prentice, 2002.