Comparison of Flaws in Decision Making of Characters That Lead to Tragedy in the Plays Antigone by Sophocles and Medea by Euripides

Decision making is defined as "the cognitive process of reaching a decision" . Success is determined by the important decisions one makes in life. These decisions are often well thought out and rationally taken. On the other hand there are also numerous times when impetuous decisions have led to downfall. The works, Euripides' Medea and Sophocles' Antigone, bring out such flaws in decisions of particular characters that led these characters to tragedy.

In Sophocles' Antigone, the critical decisions taken by Antigone to refute Creon's laws and bury her dead brother becomes the pivot around which the play revolves.

In Euripides' Medea, acute decisions taken by Medea to avenge Jason's betrayal by going against her own family and the kingdom becomes the defining moment of the play.

One of the similarities that we come across in both the plays is the result of the decisions made by few of the characters.

In the play Antigone one such decision is taken by Haemon. He is positioned as the prince of Thebes who is in love with Antigone. His presence is very crucial due to the fact that he is the only common negotiating character between the antagonist and the protagonist in the story. This aspect is highlighted when a circumstance urges him to choose between his love and family. Haemon chooses Antigone and defends her morals unlike the authority of his father, King Creon. While he supports Antigone at one level, he also voices out the thoughts of the public to Creon. His attempt to help Creon understand his people was dispassionately disregarded, a flawed decision which Creon later regretted.

Creon's hurt ego and adamant nature impels him to ignore Haemon's advice. Haemon walks out fiercely saying "No, she will not die in my presence, don't even imagine it. Nor will you ever set eyes on my face again" .

Though he is on the path of justice and righteousness, there is nobody to listen to him. His attempt to save his father and his lover is thwarted that he takes the irrational decision to commit suicide.

Defeat blinds him thus that he is unable to see the light. The people he exhibits his utmost concern for do not listen to him. This desertion triggers the feeling of helplessness and urges him to give up on life. In an effort to enhance Antigone's heroism, Sophocles finds Haemon's suicide a very helpful tool. But we cannot forget that the flaw in Creon's decision led to his son's death.

Hence, we figure that the flaw in Creon's decision led to his son's death.

Likewise for personalities like Medea, respect and status is an irreplaceable jewel. Her main concern is to retain her self-esteem before the royal family of Corinth. In no case does she want to end up becoming a mockery before the whole kingdom.

This fear instilled in her guides her to take vindictive steps in an act of vengeance against Jason and the royal family. The desperation of revenge has even repelled her away from the tender, maternal feelings of a woman. Such is the strength of emotions brought forth by Euripides.

She says that she can endure the most unholy of crime, the murder of her dearest sons; "but [she] cannot endure the mockery of [her] enemies" The fear of being shamed and disgraced is one of Medea's driving motivations to find her revenge.

In this case Medea's immature decision shows a lack of presence of mind. Surrendering herself to anger unleashes the devil in her that results in such a preposterous spree of killings. She hastily decides to slay her sons for the mere satisfaction of taking revenge. In the matter of a day Medea's impulsive rage drives her to take outrageous decisions. Had she considered all outcomes, the life of her two sons would be spared.

This flaw in her decision making caused the tragedy of her children's death.

Another intriguing aspect of the two plays is the downfall of the two kings, both named Creon.

With deeper understanding of the books, we realize that King Creon of Antigone could not read what Antigone had in mind. He underestimated her abilities of burying Polyneices by herself. As soon as the burial is done, everyone including the sentries and Creon suspect the culprit to be a man. This highlights how insignificant Creon finds the females. It also directs us to the mind of the writer Sophocles, who projects the influence of his time on his writing. Creon's ignoring the potential of women brings about his downfall.

Ignoring Antigone and her stand makes all the difference in Creon's rule on Thebes. He is left in solitary repentance after the death of his son and wife and also shunned by his own kingdom.

Antigone keeps her word of burying her dear brother Polyneices and courageously welcomes death. She shows no hesitation on the walk to her bridal chamber where she claims to rest forever. Sophocles skillfully uses 'bridal chamber' as a metaphor for the cave that Antigone was going to be imprisoned in. This literary feature creates a very heroic impact for Antigone on the readers mind.

She audaciously says, "My tomb, my bridal chamber, my grave and home that will guard me forever"

Similarly King Creon in Medea