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There are many critical mistakes that one can make that have the potential to ruin your life, or possibly take your life. Both William Shakespeare and Sophocles both portray their protagonists character flaws through the critical mistakes they make in their plays Othello and Antigone. In Shakespeare's play, Othello is a noble general who is well-respected by everyone around him. He is happily married to Desdemona. In Sophocles play, Creon is also in a position of nobility, being the king of Thebes. Creon is a newly appointed king who is ready to prove himself to his subjects.
Both of these noble protagonists do possess leadership roles, however, their character flaws get the best of them. Both of these characters portray their lack of judgment by making critical mistakes, and they feel great remorse after realizing that they make a critical mistake. The people around Othello know his trusting nature very well. Iago is quick to observe Othello's free and open nature (1. 3. 400), and he is quick to exploit it. Iago informs Othello that his wife Desdemona has been engaging in a secret affair with Michael Cassio, Othello's lieutenant. Othello, believing that Iago is full of love and honesty (3. 2. 135), makes no effort to investigate this shocking news.
He doesnt question Iago's word because after fighting along side Iago as soldiers, betrayal isnt an issue to Othello. Being a person who thinks men [are] honest that but seem to be so (1. 3. 401), Othello asks Iago to Give [him] a living reason [that] shes disloyal (3. 3. 456). Taking advantage of Othello's gullibility, Iago says that he has heard Cassio speak of Desdemona in his sleep. Othello is completely blinded by his trust in Iago. Iago could make up anything we wants and Othello will believe every word of it without hesitation.
In contrast, Creon doesnt trust anybody, even his own son (3. 4) Haimon. He stands up for Antigone and tells Creon that punishing Antigone is not right (3. 96). Creon's overwhelming pride prevents him from believing his own son. Instead, he calls Haimon a fool (3. 114) who has sold out to a woman (3. 108).
Creon's overwhelming pride doesnt allow him to confide in his own son. This pride is also seen in Creon's ruling of Thebes. King Creon's attitude in regard to ruling Thebes is noticeably impulsive. Creon rules in favor of a proper military burial of fallen Eteocles, claiming he died as a man should die, fighting for his country (1. 29 - 30).
He also chooses to not give a proper burial to the traitor (1. 39) Polyneices. Antigone strongly disagrees with this decision, believing that a mans burial is Gods proclamation (2. 57). Creon, insisting that his law is higher than divine law, unexpectedly gets a reality check in the end after causing both his wife and son to commit suicide. In remorse, Creon admits to higher law that his actions were rash and foolish (Exodus. 135). Othello's actions were also very foolish after he discovers that Cassio is allegedly wooing (3. 1. 79) Desdemona.
After murdering his wife, he finds out that the allegations against his wife were completely false. In the end, Othello realizes that he love [Desdemona] not wisely but too well (5. 2. 396). Othello's blind trust in Iago leads to the remorseful act of taking his own life because of his tremendous love for his Sweet Desdemona (3. 3. 466). In conclusion, Shakespeare's Othello and Sophocles Creon both show their lack of judgment by making critical mistakes and realizing it too late, and feeling great remorse afterwards. Othello's blind trust in Iago leads him to believe Iago's word and to neglect the faithfulness of Desdemona, and his irrational state of mind leads to the deaths of both his wife and himself. Creon's stubborn pride (5. 94) doesnt allow him to admit that his decision is wrong.
He feels he isnt going against the laws of God (2. 61); he just thinks the Gods will be displeased if a traitor is honored with a proper burial. Creon feels great remorse after he causes the suicides of his son and wife. Othello and Creon not only make critical mistakes that cause remorse in both of their lives, but their failure to realize their mistakes in time comes at the expense of their loved ones.
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Research essay sample on Proper Burial Character Flaws
