Antigone And Haemon As A Foil To Creon

The quote “grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver,” by Sophocles is implied in the play Antigone a multitude of times. Grief is a characteristic that commonly belongs to a tragic hero whose decisions influence them into a scenario of a lifetime sentence of regret or death. There are various characters in Antigone such as Antigone and Haemon whose actions contribute to the theme of civil disobedience therefore acting as foil to the king, Creon. Haemon’s impact as a foil on Creon through his disregardment of his father’s decisions and his unfazed love for Antigone develops Creon’s role as a tragic hero. Although Haemon portrays himself as uncertain toward the actions of his fiance at the beginning, his motives become clear after the confrontation

with his father on the topic of Antigone’s sentence.

Haemon’s disregardment of Creon’s decisions comes at time where he meets his father in order to discuss the matter at hand concerning Antigone’s death sentence.

After listening to his father ridiculing Antigone, Haemon replies with,”A man who thinks that only he is wise, that he can speak and think like no one else, when such men are exposed, then all can see their emptiness inside… Permit yourself to change” (Lines 801-804, 814). The quote cited above clearly exemplifies the theme of civil obedience as well as the aspect of foreshadowing toward Creon’s end as a tragic hero. Furthermore, the concept of civil obedience acting as a foil to the king is then elaborated upon later in the passage when Creon says,”You foul creature- you’re worse than any woman” (Lines 851-852). Creon becoming very irritated with his son’s disagreement bitterly replies with a sexist comment revealing how the two characters are immediately juxtaposed. As a result, the two are juxtaposed throughout the passage resulting in Haemon becoming wiser about the situation and leaving Creon fuming over the situation causing him to make rash decisions that build toward his ascension as the tragic hero in Antigone. Haemon’s unfazed love and respect for Antigone continued throughout the play despite Creon’s efforts to convince him

otherwise.
As Haemon continually poses his argument in justification of Antigone’s act of civil obedience, Creon continuously reacts in a stubborn matter where he refuses to listen to Haemon’s end.

As he justifies Antigone’s actions Haemon says,”When in the slaughter her own brother died, she did not just leave him there unburied, to be ripped apart by carrion dogs or birds. Surely she deserves some golden honour” (Lines 789-792). Haemon’s justification of his fiancee’s actions consequently attributes to the theme of civil disobedience which once again juxtaposes Creon’s values. The specific value which is being contrasted is Creon’s constant belief that due to his high power he is always right in decision. The value is once again juxtaposed when Haemon concludes his support for Antigone by saying,”When men speak well, it good to learn from them” (Line 819). Creon’s unreasonableness and stubbornness is juxtaposed by Haemon’s reasonable argument toward the support of Antigone hence contributing to the theme of Antigone and revealing Haemon as the foil to

Creon.
The play Antigone written by Sophocles presents a plethora of characters whom of which have different roles such as a character foil and tragic hero. Haemon fulfills the role of a character foil, while his father Creon fulfills the role of a tragic hero. The different confrontations between the two characters develop Creon as a tragic hero through Haemon’s disregardment of his father’s immoral actions and his perpetual love for Antigone. Creon’s incapability to comprehend his own mistakes and consistent irritation with those attempting to contradict his values throughout the play Antigone cause his arrogant values, stubborn behavior, and “steady mind” to deteriorate into a remorseful, grief-stricken conclusion.