1. Noble Birth: Antigone is a princess of Thebes, the daughter of Oedipus, the former king. Her noble birth gives her a high status in society, which makes her conflict with the authority figure (Creon) even more significant.
2. Strong Will and Determination: Antigone displays remarkable strength of will and determination in her decision to defy Creon's orders and bury her brother, Polynices. She is willing to risk her own life to uphold what she believes is right, even in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
3. Tragic Flaw: Antigone's tragic flaw lies in her excessive pride and sense of duty. She holds unwavering loyalty to her family and believes she must honor the gods' wishes by burying Polynices, even though it goes against the king's decree. Her stubbornness and defiance set her on a path toward inevitable conflict and downfall.
4. Prophetic Warnings: Throughout Act 1, the chorus provides ominous warnings about the consequences of defying the king's authority and the gods' will. These warnings foreshadow Antigone's impending fate and contribute to the sense of impending tragedy.
5. Internal Conflict: Antigone's internal conflict is evident in her struggle between her love for her family and her duty to the state. She recognizes that her actions may lead to her own demise, but she chooses to follow her conscience rather than submit to Creon's unjust edict.
6. Catharsis: Antigone's unwavering commitment to her beliefs and her tragic downfall evoke a sense of catharsis in the audience. Her suffering and self-sacrifice arouse pity and fear, essential elements of a tragic hero.
By establishing Antigone's high status, strong will, tragic flaw, and internal conflict in Act 1, Sophocles effectively sets the stage for her journey as a tragic hero and the subsequent events that unfold throughout the play.