Cause of Tragedy: Pride
Throughout human history people have had the trait of pride. We often find it hard to humble ourselves to others when we realize we are wrong. In Antigone by Sophocles Kreon refused to humble himself after wronging Antigone and her brother Polyneices, and he paid a steep price for his pride. Tragedy occurred in this story because Kreon chose to uphold his own law instead of listening to those around him. But since every tragedy has a happy ending Kreon in the end learns to admit he is wrong and ask for forgiveness.
When we refuse to admit that we are wrong, tragedy occurs. This theme comes into play in Antigone when Kreon makes a law stating that anyone who tries to bury the body of Polyneices will be killed. Antigone, Polyneices sister, refuses to accept this and gives her brother a proper burial, but is caught. To show the people of Thebes that every law has a consequence no matter how small Kreon upholds the law despite the fact that Antigone is betrothed to his son Haimon. Before her death many people including Haimon try to convince Kreon to let Antigone go, but because of his pride he resists. In the end, it is Kreon's pride that causes him to lose his son and his wife.
Like The Tragic Fallacy said a tragedy must have a happy ending. If you peel back the layers of tragedy, and see through the misfortunes you will see a lesson that leaves the reader satisfied. In Antigone, one must look past Kreon's loss of his son, wife, and daughter-in-law to see that in the end he learns that pride leads to tragedy.
When we refuse to admit that we are wrong, tragedy occurs. This theme comes into play in Antigone when Kreon makes a law stating that anyone who tries to bury the body of Polyneices will be killed. Antigone, Polyneices sister, refuses to accept this and gives her brother a proper burial, but is caught. To show the people of Thebes that every law has a consequence no matter how small Kreon upholds the law despite the fact that Antigone is betrothed to his son Haimon. Before her death many people including Haimon try to convince Kreon to let Antigone go, but because of his pride he resists. In the end, it is Kreon's pride that causes him to lose his son and his wife.
Like The Tragic Fallacy said a tragedy must have a happy ending. If you peel back the layers of tragedy, and see through the misfortunes you will see a lesson that leaves the reader satisfied. In Antigone, one must look past Kreon's loss of his son, wife, and daughter-in-law to see that in the end he learns that pride leads to tragedy.