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A character analysis in Shakespeare
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In the play of Antigone, Haemon’s love to Antigone is the most pure. He states that, “Not here, no; she will not die here, King. And you will never see my face again. Go on raving as long as you’ve a friend to endure you” (Sophocles, 2037). Haemon is extremely loyal to Antigone because of how he displays a love of Antigone that is so strong that it overpowers everything else, even his loyalty toward his father and the city. Haemon love for Antigone, in spite of its purity and goodness, can also be viewed as Haemon tragic flaw.
In this play Sophocles , argues how the same members of the family are the most powerful tragic, for example, Haemon argues with Creon about the latter’s decision to punish Antigone .Haemon is torn between too powerful allegiances of his father and of his love Antigone. He help protect Antigone by speaking to his father on her behalf, by saying, “They say no woman has ever, so unreasonably, Died so shameful a death for a generous act, She covered her brother’s body. Is this indecent, She kept him from dogs and vultures. Is this a crime, Death, She should have all the honor that we can give her!”(Sophocles, 2028). Haemon argue how noble and good Antigone actions were and why she shouldn’t be punished for doing something the gods clearly stated that they should have done. Haemon understand that
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Antigone wanted to honor her dead brother in the last possible way she could. Even the people in the city feel some sympathy for Antigone, because they also think that the punishment Creon is giving her is a little harsh. Haemon tell his father that the citizen of the city are afraid, they can’t say anything that he would not like to hear them talk because they are all mad about the girl. Creon should not only listen to his son, but also to the people of the city because a city is not a city without the people of the city and the ruler is not a ruler without it subjects. Haemon says that,” Your temper terrifies them, everyone, Will tell you only what you like to hear. But I, at any rate, can listen; and I have heard them Muttering and whispering in the dark abut this girl. This is the way they talk out there in the city” (Sophocles, 2022). After Haemon point to Creon about the people of the city, the king feels betrayed and how the people are trying to tell him how to rule the, but what really people are just saying is the truth and hat they believe. Haemon argue with Creon about the punishment is giving Antigone of death is unreasonable. Antigone stayed loyal to her brother and Haemon believe that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Haemon literally finds life unlivable without his love and so decides to join her and the tragic sensibility would be his sense of love he has for Antigone.
We know that Haemon’s love for Antigone is the most pure, because he simply loves her to the point where he takes his own life and willing to talk to his father as a result of it. Haemon love of Antigone is tragic because it result in the death of mother, his own and Creon’s revelation knowing that he pursued the wrong choice in this situation of Antigone. Haemon has a sense of devotion and emotion through his love, however, this transcendent temporal conditions surrounds
him.
Antigone, The Brave Antigone, a story written by Sophocles, is about a young woman, Antigone, choosing whether she will not bury her brother, Polyneices, to not break the law or disobey Creon’s law and bury him; however choosing to bury her brother does not derail her moral development. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development is three levels consisting of two stages in each. Kohlberg’s Theory explains how a human’s mind morally develops.
Haemon’s words, actions, and ideas contrast with Creon’s character of differing greatly and leading him to the death of his son at fault. “They say all women here, she least deserves the worst deaths for her most glorious act. 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.”(Lines 788-791) Haemon starts to reveal that he believes that Antigone, his fiance, deserves to not be killed over an act that she has not committed whether or not Creon think is was right. However, Antigone was following the law of the Gods, while Creon was abiding by the law of man. “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 we can all see their emptiness inside.”(Lines 803-806) However, when Haemon started to attempt to inform his father, Creon, whose refusal was so high to even consider not killing Antigone that he was only thinking of himself and that one death would lead to another. “Then she’ll die and in her death kill someone else.”(Lines 859) Creon then, only thought of his son as a woman slave. “You woman’s slave, don’t try and win over me.”(Lines 845-855) At first, Haemon looked up to his father, but now after his unsuitable behavior he has chosen not to follow his stubborn
Sophocles play titled Antigone, embellishes the opposing conflicts between Antigone who stands for the values of family, and Creon who stands for the values of state. Sophocles explores the depths of Antigone’s morality and the duty based on consequence throughout the play, as well as the practical consequences of Creon who is passionate and close-minded. Although Antigone’s moral decisions appear to be more logical and favorable than Creon’s, a personal argument would be that both characters’ decisions in society can be equally justified.
Within these lines, Antigone reveals that she holds herself sanctimonious over her king by admitting his punishment is “nothing” compared to the “agony” she will face if she leaves her brother unburied. She also conveys a nonchalant attitude towards the repercussions of her action when she mocks Creon accusing him of being a “fool.” Although Antigone is aware that others such as her sister, Ismene and her fiancée, Haemon—the son of Creon, may suffer because of her act of civil disobedience, she is unwilling to abandon her protest to negotiate in a peaceful manner. This conduct implies that she does not completely comprehend the seriousness of her action or understand the weight of her crime rendering her approach inconsistent with King’s theory.
Haemon makes a point of this by saying, “The people here in Thebes all say the same – they deny she is (Lines 834-835). " This confirms Creon’s status as a tragic hero when he disagrees with his people's opinion on what has happened to Antigone, which causes him to step even closer to his ultimate demise. This is key because Creon shows how his ego comes before his people as Haemon stresses, which explains how his hubris, the emotion called stubbornness will contribute to his downfall. Additional way Haemon shows Creon as a tragic hero is by highlighting how his tragic flaws are not just angering humans, but the god's that their society revolves around. Haemon shows this by saying, “You're not honoring that by trampling on the god’s prerogatives (Lines 850-851).
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
In the Antigone, unlike the Oedipus Tyrannus, paradoxically, the hero who is left in agony at the end of the play is not the title role. Instead King Creon, the newly appointed and tyrannical ruler, is left all alone in his empty palace with his wife's corpse in his hands, having just seen the suicide of his son. However, despite this pitiable fate for the character, his actions and behavior earlier in the play leave the final scene evoking more satisfaction than pity at his torment. The way the martyr Antigone went against the King and the city of Thebes was not entirely honorable or without ulterior motives of fulfilling pious concerns but it is difficult to lose sight of the fact that this passionate and pious young woman was condemned to living imprisonment.
After being locked up in a dark, damp cave, Antigone was fed up with wallowing in her own pity, and takes her own life by “hang[ing] by the neck in a fine linen noose, strangled in her veils,” (1347–1348). Seeing the graceful young woman embraced in the arms of his own son, Creon immediately swells with anger towards un-masculine Haemon because of his display of love, and the significance of Antigone’s death goes straight over his head. Her strong sense of self – knowing who she is, what she values, and what makes her happy – enables her to make regretless decisions that alter her time to come. One of those decisions instigated Haemon’s fate to be sealed as well, prompting Eurydice, mother of the prince, to join her son in the underworld. Not long after becoming aware of her child’s downfall, Eurydice sacrifices her life at the heart of the palace, and “raised a cry for the noble fate of Megareus, the hero killed in the first assault, then for Haemon, then with her dying breath she called down torments on [Creon’s] head–[Creon] killed her sons,” (1429–1432). Creon’s heart fills with grief, for the fault of these three deaths lies with him, and pathetic self-pities are the only thoughts running through his mind. Despite the three-deceased’s blood lying
In the struggle between Creon and Antigone, Sophocles' audience would have recognized a genuine conflict of duties and values. From the Greek point of view, both Creon's and Antigone's positions are flawed, because both oversimplify ethical life by recognizing only one kind of good or duty. By oversimplifying, each ignores the fact that a conflict exists at all, or that deliberation is necessary. Moreover, both Creon and Antigone display the dangerous flaw of pride in the way they justify and carry out their decisions. Antigone admits right from the beginning that she wants to carry out the burial because the action is glorious. Antigone has a savage spirit; she has spent most of her life burying her family members.
He anxiously awaits the day when he can call Antigone his wife, but because she defies King Creon, she deprives him of that opportunity. At first, Haemon tries to be loyal to his father. He tells Creon that he supports his decision to execute Antigone. However, as the conversation continues, he reveals that the community members are starting to renounce Creon’s decision. As the pain of potentially losing his fiancé becomes too much, he also renounces his father’s decision, arguing that the Gods would not condone it. In an act against his father, Haemon hurries to the cave Antigone was exiled to, in hopes to save her, but instead finds her hanging from the veil she was supposed to wear on her wedding day. Instantly overwhelmed with grief, Haemon, “[bewails] the loss of his bride” (Sophocles 152). Similarly, to Ismene’s case, Haemon cannot picture himself living on Earth without Antigone by his side, and commits suicide. In Antigone’s desire to appease the Gods, she abandons her loved ones, and causes them great suffering. This could have been avoided has she not pursued her desire to bury
...er of what he hears people around the town saying about the situation. Haemon says, “No woman ever deserved death less, and such a brutal death for such a glorious action… Death? She deserves a glowing crown of gold.” The play seems to praise the actions of Antigone and it is never seen that she is looked down upon for what she did, except by Creon.
Antigone was caught and death was the price to pay as ordered by Creon, not to her surprise. Death to Antigone seemed wanted, it was the only thing left as honor for her. Haemon, the son of Creon and Antigone’s fiancé has enough respect for his father that he does not interfere with Creon's decision to put Antigone to death.
In Antigone, unmoderated love is prevalent throughout the play, and it is best demonstrated in three main characters: Antigone, Creon, and Ismene. Antigone has a very strong love for her brother and the gods, Creon has an extreme love for power, and Ismene has a deep love for her sister, Antigone. Each of these characters suffers greatly because of this love, and as a result, they all suffer dire consequences.
Conclusion: Overall, Haemon could be eliminated from the play because his love for Antigone doesn’t cause her to not die at the end of the story and his decisions aren’t big and don't effect anyone drastically, when he dies, he dies. His character isn’t vital and the story would be the same without his
..., this sense of arrogance angers Creon to a point beyond belief. Antigone’s refusal to cooperate causes Creon to go mad with irritation and frustration. Wanting to show his sense of power, he refuses to back down in fear of losing his position. His stubbornness grows stronger as Antigone continues to disobey his commands. Antigone’s strong and steady foundation helps her show defiance. She is able to overcome the opinions of the people and commit to helping her brother regardless of the after effects. She ignores what everyone says and does only as she wants. She is powerful, both physically and mentally, and is successful in her tasks. Antigone matures into a commendable and respectable character in which she depicts her rebelliousness and bravery, pride and tolerance, and sense of moral righteousness to demonstrate fundamental character development in the play.