In Greek theatre, the tragic hero is always someone in a high position in society, such as royalty or a leader in battle. Many of their beliefs and ideas are honorable but it is their one tragic flaw is what leads to their downfall. In Antigone, written by Sophocles, Creon the king of Thebes is a tragic hero because of his flaw, in this case it is his pride, which brings him down and destroys his happiness. Creon was very smart and had the makings of a good leader for the country of Thebes. His pride and stubbornness are what caused his downfall when he wouldn't listen to the peoples' opinions and be lenient in his decision.

Scene I demonstrates Creon's potential to be a very good and effective king. Creon also realized that he would have to earn respect from the people since he had just started in office. "I am aware, of course, that no ruler can expect complete loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office." (Sc. 1, 1095, 17-18). From what Creon has said, it appears to his subjects that he will make a very good and patient leader, despite his inexperience and the unusual circumstances that brought him to power. Creon's lack of respect for leaders who are afraid to do what is best for the country was shown. "…I have nothing but contempt for the kind of Governor who is afraid…to follow the course he knows is best for the state." (Sc. 1, 1095, 19-20). Creon admits that does not like a leader who would not stand up for his beliefs about what is best for the kingship. Creon's opinion was that people who try to sway a leader's view in risk of damaging the country are not to be tolerated under any circumstances. "We must remember that friends made at the risk of wrecking our ship are not real friends at all." (Sc. 1, 1095, 26-27). Creon felt that those who tried to bribe a leader were not true friends if they were going against what was best for the state, and wanted to follow his morals as their leader by doing what he thought was right and not be influenced by anyone else. Creon would have been a very effective and strong leader if he had carried out many of his own ideas in this case.

Although Creon seemed like he could be successful as a leader due to his strong beliefs, he became a tragic hero because of his hubris. When he discovers that Polyneices was buried against his wishes, he said that the man who went against his word should be killed. "I swear by God and the throne of God, the man who has done this thing shall pay for it!" (Sc. 1, 1098, 115). At that time Creon ordered that whoever had committed this crime should die because he wants to stand by what he said. When the sentry brings Antigone and tells Creon she is the one that is guilty of the crime, he still wanted to punish her, and sentenced her to be locked away and given only food. Creon's son Haimon tried to reason with his father, telling him of what the people thought of the matter, but Creon would not listen or be lenient because of his pride in carrying through with his decision. "Do you want me to show myself weak before the people?" (Sc. 3, 1106, 26). He felt that if he gave in and did not punish Antigone for what she had done, he would lose the respect of the people. Creon was also upset that it was his own niece who disobeyed him and was prejudiced since she was a woman. "If we must lose, let's lose to a man at least!" (Sc. 3, 1106, 48). Creon was prejudiced against Antigone since he would not be as angry in losing to a man as to a woman, and it hurt his pride. Creon, like many other Greek tragic heroes, was ruined by only one flaw, and placing his own wishes before what the gods wanted was what ultimately caused his downfall.

Many leaders and important people throughout history have been like Creon, king of Thebes. They, like Creon, made an error in judgement. Their tragic flaw is what eventually caused their downfall. Most recently, President Clinton demonstrated this. By lying to the American people, and allegedly lying under oath, his own flaws and mistakes in judgement are now leading to impeachment hearings. In the future, leaders can hopefully learn from these errors and trust and listen to the people's opinions.