According to the Greeks a tragedy is a play that is serious.

The tragic element comes in when the

person who orchestrates the tragedy loves the victim and would typically protect that victim's
interest. This definition of tragedy is more nuanced. There is more to it than obtains in
mainstream definition of tragedy today. For example, if five people die in a car-crash or two
enemies lose their lives in a fight against each other, that is not tragedy. However, mainstream
definition would see these as tragedies. The Greeks were more sophisticated in their perception
of the concept.

As you read these two plays, try to find out in what ways they can be considered tragedies per
the Greek's perception of the concept. Also find out the definition of "tragic flaw" and "tragic
hero/heroin"

The idea of catharsis, having pity or terror, included into the tragic event so of Antigone is a
running theme. The tragic hero in Antigone is King Creon because of his tragic flaw of being so
arrogant. The tragic hero is the character that makes a judgement error that inevitably leads to his
or her own destruction. Tragic flaw is the defect in that character that causes them to inevitably
defeat themselves.