Activity Overview
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.
Antigone - Tragic Heroine
| 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. |
Template and Class Instructions
(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.
- Identify events of the play or characteristics of Antigone that fit into Aristotelian attributes of a tragic hero.
- Illustrate examples for Hamartia, Hubris, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Nemesis, and Catharsis.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Antigone as a tragic hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tragic Hero Characteristics | The six tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The explanation provided explains how the scenes depict each characteristic, and shows effective analysis. | Four or five tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or some of the elements may not be identified correctly. The explanations give context to the scene, but may be minimal, and there is some attempt at analysis. | Two or three tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are too minimal. | One or fewer tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are minimal or missing altogether. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
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.
Antigone - Tragic Heroine
| 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. |
Template and Class Instructions
(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.
- Identify events of the play or characteristics of Antigone that fit into Aristotelian attributes of a tragic hero.
- Illustrate examples for Hamartia, Hubris, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Nemesis, and Catharsis.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Antigone as a tragic hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tragic Hero Characteristics | The six tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The explanation provided explains how the scenes depict each characteristic, and shows effective analysis. | Four or five tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or some of the elements may not be identified correctly. The explanations give context to the scene, but may be minimal, and there is some attempt at analysis. | Two or three tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are too minimal. | One or fewer tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are minimal or missing altogether. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Trágico Héroe / Heroína en Antigone
How to Facilitate a Class Debate on Antigone’s Tragic Hero Qualities
Engage your students in analyzing Antigone by organizing a structured debate. This strategy helps students practice persuasive speaking, deepens understanding of tragic hero traits, and encourages respectful discussion.
Assign students to pro or con teams on whether Antigone fits Aristotle’s criteria.
Divide students into two groups: one argues that Antigone is a true tragic hero, the other challenges this idea. Random team assignment keeps the activity fair and encourages flexible thinking.
Have each team gather text evidence for their position.
Instruct students to find quotes and examples from the play that support their argument. Encourage them to use specific scenes and character actions to back up their claims.
Guide students to outline opening statements and rebuttals.
Help each group organize their main arguments and anticipate counterpoints. Model how to build logical, respectful responses for a lively and productive debate.
Moderate the debate and encourage student reflection afterward.
Facilitate the discussion, ensuring all voices are heard and the debate stays focused. Afterward, prompt students to reflect on how their understanding of tragic heroes evolved through the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trágico Héroe / Heroína en Antigone
What makes Antigone a tragic hero in Sophocles' play?
Antigone is considered a tragic hero because she possesses a fatal flaw—her unwavering loyalty to divine law over human law—and this leads to her downfall. She defies King Creon to bury her brother, an act driven by pride and moral conviction, which ultimately results in her tragic death.
What are the six traits of a tragic hero according to Aristotle?
Aristotle's six traits of a tragic hero are: Hamartia (fatal flaw), Hubris (excessive pride), Peripeteia (reversal of fortune), Anagnorisis (recognition or discovery), Nemesis (inescapable fate), and Catharsis (emotional release for the audience).
How can students create a storyboard showing Antigone as a tragic hero?
Students can create a storyboard by identifying key moments in Antigone that illustrate each trait of a tragic hero, such as her defiance (Hamartia), pride (Hubris), and ultimate fate (Nemesis). Each cell should feature an event, a brief description, and a connection to Aristotle's principles.
What is Antigone’s fatal flaw (hamartia) in the play?
Antigone’s fatal flaw is her belief that she knows the will of the gods and her willingness to challenge Creon’s authority, acting out of moral conviction even when it leads to her own destruction.
Why is understanding the concept of a tragic hero important for students studying Antigone?
Understanding the tragic hero concept helps students analyze character motivations and themes, recognize universal struggles with pride and justice, and connect classical literature to modern ethical dilemmas.
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