REPRESENTATION OF CREON’S TRAGIC HERO IN SOPHOCLES’ ANTIGONE AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra in English Letters By: RR. LIRA DEWI CAHYANINGRUM Student Number: 024214023 ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS FACULTY OF LETTERS YOGYAKARTA SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY 2007 Sometimes, I feel afraid of the fear of uncertainty, stinging clear. And I can’t help but ask myself How much I’ll let the fear take the wheel and steer. It’s driven me before, And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal. But lately, I’m beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel. Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there, with open arms and open eyes. So, if I decide to waiver my chance to be the one of the hive Will I choose water over wine, and hold my own and drive? It’s driven me before, and it seems to be the way that everyone else get around. But lately, I’m beginning to find that I drive myself, my light is found. Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there, With open arms and open eyes. -DRIVE- by Incubus Dedicated wholeheartedly to: My beloved Mother and Father My dearest Grandmother My lovely Sister My dearly-loved friends ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS On August 2002, I started my brand new days as a college student in English Letters, Sanata Dharma University. In times I have been spending there, many precious things I can gain: knowledge, skills, wonderful friends, lovely lecturers, experiences whether they make me happy or sad. However, the precious things motivate me to keep learning and they can make me a better person. And after all the years I have been studying in English Letters Sanata Dharma University, the time for me to finish the study has come, by doing this undergraduate thesis. Here, it is my chance to express my highest gratitude for those who has great influence to me, so that I can finish this thesis. First of all, I would like to say my highest respect and gratitude to the Almighty, Allah S. W.T. I would like to thank You for the bless and the chances You give to me so that I can finish this thesis. Thank you so much! I want to thank my family for being a wonderful family for me and for being the last place I go to, when I end my days. My respect and deepest thank are sent to my dearest mother, Sri Eny Hartati, S. Pd, who always keeps praying for me so that I can be a better person. Without you, Mom! I would be nothing. I also would like to send my greatest thank to my wonderful father, Triyono, for all his pray, and the chance he gave to me to study in English Letters Sanata Dharma University. To my lovely sister, Dian, I would like to thank you for all your supports. I love You, Sis! vi I want to send my deep gratitude to my advisor, Mr. Gabriel Fajar Sasmita Aji, S. S, M. Hum, for the unconditional support, guidance, and patience, which make it possible for me to finish this thesis. Thank you for the time and the ideas. I also would like to thank Mrs. M. Luluk Artika W., S. S for her willingness and her time in correcting my thesis. My gratitude is also sent for Mr. Paulus Sarwoto S. S, M. A., for the suggestions to make my thesis better. Thank you so much. I would like to send my great thank to the greatest friends. My special love and thanks are dedicated to my friends at English Letters Sanata Dharma University for their willingness to spend their days at English Letters with me. You are all wonderful friends for me. Thanks for the “Mad Seasons”! Last but not least, I would like to dedicate my deep thank and love for my lovely friends with whom I used to work together at Sanata Dharma University for their endless supports. You are all not only my partners at work but you have been my close friends. Thanks that was fun, don’t forget, no regret! And for some special people I do not mention here, thanks for the beautiful moments and supports. I will carry you in my heart! I also would like to thank to the officers in Secretariat of English Literature and Sanata Dharma University Library, who have contribution that make it possible for me to finish my thesis. -Lira- vii TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE ......................................................................................................... i APPROVAL PAGE ............................................................................................... ii MOTTO PAGE ...................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION PAGE............................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................... viii ABSTRACT........................................................................................................... x ABSTRAK ............................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION....................................................................... 1 A. Background of the Study............................................................. 1 B. Problem Formulation ............................................................... 5 C. Objective of the Study.............................................................. 5 D. Definition of Terms.................................................................. 5-7 CHAPTER II. THEORETICAL REVIEW....................................................... 8 A. Review of Related Studies ....................................................... 8 B. Review of Related Theories..................................................... 12 1. Theories on Character and Characterization...................... 12 2. Theories on Tragedy.......................................................... 17 3. Theories on Representation................................................ 21 C. Theoretical Framework ............................................................ 23 CHAPTER III. METHODOLOGY ................................................................... 24 A. Object of the Studies ................................................................ 24 B. Approach of the study.............................................................. 27 C. Method of the Study................................................................. 28 CHAPTER IV. ANALYSIS ................................................................................ 31 A. The Qualities of Creon as a King............................................. 31 1. Loyal to the city of Thebes................................................. 31 2. Too strict to the rules ......................................................... 33 3. Arrogant ............................................................................. 35 4. Obstinate or stubborn......................................................... 37 5. Authoritarian ...................................................................... 39 6. Self-absorbed ..................................................................... 41 7. Male-chauvinistic............................................................... 42 8. Unwise ............................................................................... 44 9. Fond of his family .............................................................. 45 10. Narrow-minded ... .......................................................... 47 11. Noble.................................................................................. 49 12. Wealthy .............................................................................. 50 13. Not greedy.......................................................................... 51 viii 14. Intelligent ........................................................................... 52 15. Powerful ............................................................................. 55 B. The Surface Representation of Creon as a King ...................... 57 1. Creon as a king with the qualities of a noble person.......... 58 2. Creon as a king with the qualities of a person with ‘high estate’ ................................................. 61 3. Creon as a king with the qualities of a person with ‘high character’............................................ 62 4. Creon as a person who is better than the ordinary people in rank and mind..................................................................... 64 5. Creon as a person with significance and importance......... 66 6. Creon as a king with the qualities of a person with consistency ................................................. 71 7. Creon as a king who is neither utterly villainous nor eminently virtuous ....................................................... 73 8. Creon as a king with ‘tragic flaws’ that lead him to his ‘death’ ................................................................................ 75 C. The Depth Representation of Creon as a King......................... 89 CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION ........................................................................... 97 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................ 100 APPENDIX .................................................................................................. 102 Summary of Sophocles’ Antigone.......................................................................... 102 ix ABSTRACT RR. LIRA DEWI CAHYANINGRUM (2007).